BMW 3 Series gets new engines
Powerplants deliver more of everything, apparently
BMW 3-Series Coupe
The heart of the new 335i is a light alloy engine is fitted with two turbochargers, each one feeding three cylinders, and high-precision direct injection technology to produce 306bhp and 295lb-ft of torque. BMW reckons that the twin turbo layout -- and it's been decades since there were turbos in a petrol-powered Beemer -- give it a flat torque curve with almost no lag.
The 335i saloon hits 62mph in 5.6 seconds from rest, while the Touring returns 5.7 seconds, with the top speed of both cars electronically limited to 155mph. It achieves 29.4mpg on the combined cycle and records an emissions figure of 231g/km, while the Touring records 28.8mpg and 235g/km respectively.
|
Model |
Power (hp) |
Torque (Nm) |
Zero–62 mph |
Top Speed (mph) |
Combined mpg |
Emissions (g/km) |
|
BMW 325d Saloon |
197 |
400 |
7.4 |
146 |
44.1 |
171 |
|
BMW 325d Touring |
197 |
400 |
7.6 |
145 |
42.8 |
176 |
|
BMW 335i Saloon |
306 |
400 |
5.6 |
155 |
29.4 |
231 |
|
BMW 335i Touring |
306 |
400 |
5.7 |
155 |
28.8 |
235 |
|
BMW 335d Saloon |
286 |
580 |
6.2 |
155 |
37.7 |
200 |
|
BMW 335d Touring |
286 |
580 |
6.3 |
155 |
36.7 |
205 |
|
BMW 335d Coupé |
286 |
580 |
6.1 |
155 |
37.7 |
200 |
Turbocharged diesels
The new 286hp 335d will be available in the 3 Series Saloon, Touring and Coupé models from September 2006.
The new 335d also uses twin turbo technology but laid out differently. It uses two different-sized sequential units so, at low engine speeds, the smaller turbocharger is effective immediately, producing 95 per cent of the available torque at just 1,500rpm. By 1,750rpm maximum torque of 428lb-ft is delivered and, as the engine speed heads towards 4,400rpm, maximum horsepower of 286bhp is achieved as a result of the induction air now being compressed by the larger turbocharger.
This enables the 335d Coupé to power from zero to 62mph in 6.1 seconds while the Saloon and Touring versions take 6.2 and 6.3 seconds respectively. All three models, fitted as standard with a six-speed automatic gearbox with steering wheel-mounted paddles for an alternative method of gear change, are electronically-limited to a top speed of 155mph.
BMW 325d
The single turbocharged BMW 325d comes in Saloon and Touring variants for moderate performance and good consumption figures. The 197bhp car records a combined consumption figure of 44.1mpg for the Saloon and 42.8mpg for the Touring. Corporate buyers will be further cheered by the CO2 emissions figure of 171g/km and 176g/km for the Saloon and Touring respectively – figures that see both fall into a relatively low Benefit in Kind tax rating.
The 3.0-litre engined 325d Saloon accelerates from zero to 62mph in 7.4 seconds before going on to a top speed of 146mph. The 325d Touring hits 62mph in 7.6 seconds and has a top speed of 145mph.
Saloon and coupé prices start at £27,310 for the 325d SE and range up to £35,475 for the 335d SE Coupé. Touring prices range from £28,490 to £36,905.
But it still looks like a monster engine, quite frankly. Unless you're a committed derv-phobe, or the throttle-response on the 335i is that much better (uncertain given comments I've read about the ECU delay on modern petrol Bimmers), it looks to be the choice powerplant.
:O do diesels really run that much boost normally!!!?
And the 335i, if its running 4psi, then there must be a lot of potential let in it for those that want to up the boost...
:O do diesels really run that much boost normally!!!?
And the 335i, if its running 4psi, then there must be a lot of potential let in it for those that want to up the boost...
Yup, the 335i will be ripe for tuning. The 3.0 litre twin turbo could be a real monster and could potentially be more powerful than the V8 M3.
286 is an old favourite with BMW. It is the output of the M5/M635 and the 3ltr M3. I am sure it is no accident.
These new engine's look really great on paper. And I'm sure they will be award winning again.
Turbo is making a revival for some time now . . . I wonder when they're fit for everyday euroboxes . . .
It won't be a Beemer though. Although they could produce the engine to fit in . . .
And they run 1.6 bar which is 9psi not 4.
And yes, diesels have that much boost, which is generally why so much more lag (except of course for the twin turbo diesel).
1.6 bar is 23.52psi
0.6 bar is 8.8psi maybe?
I guess it all comes down to personal preferences some people still listen to Saxon and live in the seventies while others move on with the times eh Gary?
You're quite right. And why should they when there are plenty of people around who buy them just because they have that badge, rather than how they look.
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