ZGERMAN

Hi,

Similar questions have come up in this forum a couple of times over the years, but none of the threads really answers my question. Hence, I'm putting this out again and hope you can help:

I just bought a CPO 2007 530i (E60). When I got sunk (pretty badly) by a 335i in a little traffic light sprint , I started to wonder how much [less] HP I do have, and tried to look up my exact engine specs.
Checking the web, I came across the following, confusing information:

http://www.bmwheaven.com/database/engine.php?type=N52
N52 B30 2996 cm3 160 kW / 218 HP at 6100 rpm 280 Nm at 2500-3500 rpm
N52 B30 2996 cm3 190 kW / 258 HP at 6600 rpm 310 Nm at 2600 rpm
N52 B30 O0 2996 cm3 190 kW / 258 HP at 6600 rpm 300 Nm at 2500 rpm
N52 B30 O1 2996 cm3 195 kW / 265 HP at 6600 rpm 315 Nm at 2750 rpm
N52 B30 O1 2996 cm3 200 kW / 272 HP at 6650 rpm 315 Nm at 2750 rpm
N52 B30 U1 2996 cm3 160 kW / 218 HP at 6100 rpm 270 Nm at 2500 rpm

A thread in this very 5-Series Forum, started by Admin Lomag in 2007/2008, provides the following information:
Max. output 255 hp @ 6600 / 530i: US Market: 230 hp (172 kW) @ 6500 rpm and 200 ft·lbf (271 N·m) @ 2750 rpm

Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N52)
N52B30 3.0 L (2996 cc/182 in³)
160 kW (218 hp) @ 6100 270 N·m (199 ft·lbf) @ 2400-4200 7000 rpm 2007
190 kW (258 hp) @ 6600 300 N·m (221 ft·lbf) @ 2500-4000 7000 rpm 2004
195 kW (265 hp) @ 6600 315 N·m (232 ft·lbf) @ 2750-4250 7000 rpm 2005
200 kW (272 hp) @ 6650 315 N·m (232 ft·lbf) @ 2750-4250 7000 rpm 2006

Checking out my engine block, the little "sticker" reads N52B30AF.. However, I cannot find the 'AF' suffix anywhere.
BTW, my car was built in May 2006.

Two questions:
1.) what does the "AF" suffix after N52B30 mean?
2.) what's my exact engine specs in terms of HP/PS?
3.) how can I make that 335i eat my dirt next time :lol ?

Thanks much for your help!
Armin

NYC530XI

Unfortunately, you will never make the 335 eat your dirt. Even with a supercharger...

We have 255 hp and 230lbft of torque. About 190 at the wheels. If you're looking for speed, trade the 530 for something else. Its sad, but true. The 530 is quick and agile, but not fast.

ZGERMAN

Hi NYC530XI,
Thanks for your input! I wasn't real serious about making that 335i eat my dirt, as i looked up the specs of that bullet and I did not think it's possible to accomplish with my 535i (also considering the weight difference)...
Anyways, I was much more serious about my engine specs and the "AF" suffix.

From your response I take it that I have the 258 hp engine... which is fine with me, since I don't really care about speed and/or street racing.


So... anyone else has an idea how to decipher the engine code/suffix?

beamlord

Not sure about the AF code, but yeah your ride has 258hp. According to dyno results I've saw somewhere, 196hp at wheels. Actually, can't seem to find such suffix on Euro cars, it must be an American thing (?).

If the 335i was a sedan and not a coupe, the weight difference is minimal by the way. If not the same. So it's pure HP edge that he's got.

Traffic light sprints are only fun if you're racing against a 520d

ObD

Page 6: http://www.renette.dk/Bil/BMWe90/E90_Powertrain.pdf

BTW, I used to have a 330i with the N52. It is completely gutless at the low end when compared to an N54 in the 335i and in my 535i.

Ricracing

Hi ZGERMAN,

By the e60.net your cars engine is a

BMW 530i Engine
MY: 2006 - 2007
Type: 3.0 Liter I6
Max Power: 190 kW (255 hp)
Max Torque: 300 Nm (220 lb-ft)

See this.

The E90 or E93 335i has more than 300 hp and over 400 Nm,
and weighs some 100 kg less.

PS. Check your cars exact data using the VIN code from here.

ZGERMAN

Thanks, guys, really appreciate your responses!

Hate to say it, but you confirm my concerns about the lackluster engine. Even though I don't really care about being the fastest, quickest, and so on... I sure expected a bit more "Freude am Fahren" with my 530i - especially after upgrading(?) from my trusty 2000 323iT. That Wagon only had 170hp/245Nm, but it felt much more fun to drive. If the headroom had just been a bit more spacious (..I'm 6.5"..), and the car had been just a little less old (I traded it in with 140,000 Miles but a fine running engine), I would probably still drive my 'titan-silver bullet'

But, considering age and headroom, switching to a 5-Series seemed the right thing to do. Not that 'hp' is everything, but I would expect some more 'kick' from a 258 hp engine. Guess I should have done my homework and not just simply expected the 530i to be "better in all regards" (because of newer technology and more hp)...

Bummer..!! I'm confused. I really like the design/styling of my 530i, the additional headroom, the nice interior, and all... but the engine's pretty lame, I'm afraid. I guess I better hold off on all the mods & upgrades I wanted to take on (e.g. coilovers, new wheels/tires, M5-look aero kit etc.) and rather upgrade -for real this time- to another 3- or 5-series Bimmer next year.

Just wondering... all you folks out there with the same N52B30 engine: what makes you hold on to your rides? What's that "special kick" you get from your 530i/N52B30?
As I already said, hp certainly is not everything, and I really dig the looks of my 530i, and all... - but that's not very much, is it?

So... what do you dig most about your 2004-2006 530i w/ N52B30 engine (258 hp)?? (Looking for some inspiration here, I guess.. )


Thanks, folks!!

NYC530XI

I added the RPI scoop, K&N filter, and he RPI exhaust and I honestly felt a difference. I would say a good 15 horsepower. Although I agree the engine could be better, my 530 still is fun to drive. The exhaust note helps give the impression of being faster. You could also get a powerbox which claims 10 hp to the wheels for the n52.

Good luck and happy motoring!

beamlord

Sorry mate but you keep writing two completely contradicting statements - supposedly you do not care much about street racing and being quicker than many, on the other hand a 6.3s 0-60mph car doesn't quite work for you.
I say you really do want a quick car which would let you flex that ego on a regular basis - which is fine, many do, and get appropriate vehicles for that.

So I'm not sure what kind of inspiration you're looking for from 530i drivers. We're happy with the ride and I guess many others, like me, chose it consciously. I've "downgraded" motor-wise from a 333hp 545i and I did it deliberately, as I mostly do very short city routes and the gas costs close to gold in Germany.
Nevertheless I'm still having fun with the car and don't think it's really slow.

protams

Hey, 520d is not the slowest E60, ther`s 520i