Here is a question that I have asked on here a few times before but have never got to the bottom of this. Hoping I have more success this time.

What I want to know is.....

Are there any mechanical differences between the new 525d and 530d? In particular do they use the same engine (block & cylinder head) and are they fitted with the same Pistons, Rods, Crank, Cams etc.?

I am led to believe that there maybe a difference between the turbo's but have not had this 100% verified?

A number of you will have guessed where this is going..... I'm trying to assess the suitability of the 525d to be 'tuned' by means of a remap.

I have recently approached a well know tuning company regarding a remap and have been told the following:
Before:
197hp / 400NM (295 lb/ft approx.).

After:
245hp / 530NM (390 lb/ft approx.) increase of 48hp / 130NM (95 lb/ft approx.).

This is actually an increase over the standard 530d which offers 235hp / 500NM (368 lb/ft approx.).

I guess what I am trying to establish is whether the 525d is as mechanically strong as the 530d engine and if the increase in power will be detrimental to the engine / manual drivetrain?

Would really appreciate advice from people on here who are clued up on these kind of things. What I don't want to do is go and blow the turbo / manual gearbox!

530d is 170kW/231PS/228HP

ABC

Not in LCI spec - accoring to the BMW LCI brochure it is 173kW/235HP compared with the pre LCI (again accoring to the older BMW pre LCI brochure) of 170kW/231HP. Both power outputs are @ 4000rpm.

Neither brochure refers to PS.

All agreed.

However part of this is a marketing ploy to make the cars sound more "powerful".

173kW is 235PS (Pferd Stark or metric or DIN horsepower).

1PS is 0.9863199678154754HP

So 173kW is 232HP.

Try it for yourself: http://www.statman.info/conversions/power.html.

Also remapping companies fudge the issue. Check out my sig, for example. I was quoted 337HP by my remapping company - then I checked and it's 337PS/332HP. Only a small difference but tantamount to misleading marketing. Like pricing something in pounds and using dollars to describe the number. ?150=$150...

ABC

I can't answer your question, I have no knowledge - however I pose one back.

Not wishing to undermine your question however, if you were the BMW Project Director for the 5 series would you create a situation whereby it is straight forward/simple to modify a car rated lower cost/power to attain an equivalent/higher performance than the next more expensive model, and then back it up with the same warranty? Would this be a sound commercial decision? It would kill off the higher income generator for the supplier when it becomes known as a lower cost alternative ; call me na?ve perhaps??????.

That's the stopper isn't it.

Such mods, if detected, invalidate warranty.

There's at least one remapping company that offers to take over unexpired warranty in such disputed cases.

ABC

Yes, understand what you're saying. Out of interest what company did you use for the remap and ow much? Are you pleased by the results. PM me if you'd rather not post this info on the board. I understand from your sig that you have a 535d so your gains will be in a dfferent league - I understand that!

Understand your point which is very valid. However, it also makes sense that to produce two engines will cost more than to produce one engine at two different states of tune, so I believe it is more than possible that the fundamental engine is the same with a few bolt on bits being different maybe. Also, the majority of people will not be slightly interested in 'tuning' a car of this value, not least because of warranty issues. Hence the majority wanting more performance would go for the higher output engine in the first place. However, I believe the difference between the 525d M Sport & 530d M Sport to be getting on for ?4k (in the UK), a reasonable amount which would have stretched me too far at this time.

Indeed - we do need a global standard! PS gets my vote...

However, the LCI 530d was tweaked up slightly but I bet you couldn't tell the difference between the 'old' and new... :think:

By grinding soap crystals a bit more certain Household product companies offer breakthro' new concentrated washing products!;-)

But back to cars, in the VAG fold, theres a Golf GTI Editon 30. A slightly souped up Golf GTI. VW advertise it as 230PS. However the tuning companies have found it to be an identical unit to the new Audi S3 (265bhp). Both engines will reach over 300bhp. There's quite a cost difference too.

Tho' I cant help palmo directly. It would probably be the injectors and manifold that are different between LCI 525d and LCI 530d. Is there a Bentley guide or ELSA comparable in the BMW world to check for certain?