[sparky325i]

It has recently come to my attention that the 3.0 liter engine in the 325i is unique to US/CANADA, elsewhere in the World the 325i is equipped with a 2.5 liter motor.

What is interesting is that horsepower, torque and acceleration figures are identical for both versions. The actual 2.5l is rated at 218 hp with 0-62 mph at 7.0, the same as the numbers for the 3.0l 325i. I can understand how the new 2.5 produces more HP due to Valvetronic and lighter engine components, but with these same upgrades I cannot understand how the new 3.0l in the new 325i produces 10 hp less than the e46 3.0l and 30 less torque. The displacement of the new 3.0l is actually a little larger than the outgoing e46 and torque is generally a factor of displacement whereas HP can vary substantially based on how efficient the motor is, especially at higher RPMs.

Just a thought... http://wetterauer.de offers an ECU upgrade for the real 2.5l engine that brings power to 231 hp and 202 torque, so I would be very surprised if a CAI and ECU won't provide a notable boost for the 3.0 liter US/CANADA motor...

The real question is this, if both motors produce the same figures, why would BMW offer a 3.0l in the US/CANADA and a 2.5l elsewhere... I can only assume it is a gas consumption issue and that they simply de-tuned the North American 3.0l (Intake/ECU) for the 325i as it is cheaper to manufacture the same displacement in volume for the North American market.

K.

[Saintor]

Originally Posted by sparky325i

It has recently come to my attention that the 3.0 liter engine in the 325i is unique to US/CANADA, elsewhere in the World the 325i is equipped with a 2.5 liter motor.

What is interesting is that horsepower, torque and acceleration figures are identical for both versions. The actual 2.5l is rated at 218 hp with 0-62 mph at 7.0, the same as the numbers for the 3.0l 325i. I can understand how the new 2.5 produces more HP due to Valvetronic and lighter engine components, but with these same upgrades I cannot understand how the new 3.0l in the new 325i produces 10 hp less than the e46 3.0l and 30 less torque. The displacement of the new 3.0l is actually a little larger than the outgoing e46 and torque is generally a factor of displacement whereas HP can vary substantially based on how efficient the motor is, especially at higher RPMs.

Just a thought... http://wetterauer.de offers an ECU upgrade for the real 2.5l engine that brings power to 231 hp and 202 torque, so I would be very surprised if a CAI and ECU won't provide a notable boost for the 3.0 liter US/CANADA motor...

The real question is this, if both motors produce the same figures, why would BMW offer a 3.0l in the US/CANADA and a 2.5l elsewhere... I can only assume it is a gas consumption issue and that they simply de-tuned the North American 3.0l (Intake/ECU) for the 325i as it is cheaper to manufacture the same displacement in volume for the North American market.

K.

Canada will get in 2 mo a 323i 2.5L 174HP at 36500$CAD. A stripper, no std cruise control.

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by sparky325i

It has recently come to my attention that the 3.0 liter engine in the 325i is unique to US/CANADA, elsewhere in the World the 325i is equipped with a 2.5 liter motor.

The real question is this, if both motors produce the same figures, why would BMW offer a 3.0l in the US/CANADA and a 2.5l elsewhere... I can only assume it is a gas consumption issue and that they simply de-tuned the North American 3.0l (Intake/ECU) for the 325i as it is cheaper to manufacture the same displacement in volume for the North American market.

K.

It was indeed an emissions issue....do a search on this topic as it has been discussed several times already. BMW could not get the Valvetronic 2.5 liter engine certified here in the U.S.

Also, the U.S. 330 has a 3-Stage intake, whereas the U.S. 325 has a regular 1 stage intake. This also accounts for a good percentage of power difference, believe it or not.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by RichReg

It was indeed an emissions issue....do a search on this topic as it has been discussed several times already. BMW could not get the Valvetronic 2.5 liter engine certified here in the U.S.

They never even tried to get it certified, the plan from the beginning was a single parts pase in the USA

[dreamwonder]

I think it has to do more with marketing. If the 325i was so powerful bmw would have a hard time selling their 05 330s and 325s. I think next year they are gonna to bump the hp and torque up for both models.

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by E90Fleet

They never even tried to get it certified, the plan from the beginning was a single parts pase in the USA

Really? I never heard that before.....It wasn't mentioned by the BMW salespeople on Bimmerfest.

Speaking of BMW's plans, any word on this supposed 335?

[RichReg]

Originally Posted by dreamwonder

I think it has to do more with marketing. If the 325i was so powerful bmw would have a hard time selling their 05 330s and 325s. I think next year they are gonna to bump the hp and torque up for both models.

It'll be at least 2 model years before you see any major hp upgrades. If they add direct injection for '07 that'll probably only add a few hp.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by RichReg

Really? I never heard that before.....It wasn't mentioned by the BMW salespeople on Bimmerfest.

Speaking of BMW's plans, any word on this supposed 335?

Still seems like mid to late next year in Europe, no word for USA.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by RichReg

It'll be at least 2 model years before you see any major hp upgrades. If they add direct injection for '07 that'll probably only add a few hp.

DI will be for fuel consumption, not power