Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelong?

[Froggy]

Was going through the 5 series spec this morning and surprised to learn

From Performance Motors Website

Spec Downloaded from BMW Thailand website

 

[jubilee1919]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

Perhaps this will explain the difference?

"THE Germans' technological prowess in downsizing engines while upsizing performance seems to know no bounds, with the latest small wonder being the BMW 528i. Despite its numerical label, the 528i is not a 5 Series mid-sized executive sedan with a 2.8-litre engine. Instead, it has a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder unit."

 

[singveld]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

it is very confusing indeed, 528i without 2.8 litre engine, changing their regular naming protocol. Some german is sleeping at work. Best to avoid 528i.

like the apple ipad 4, call the new ipad. very confusing indeed for consumer. They should not do it.

 

[GOD IS MY DOG]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

Perhaps this will explain the difference?

"THE Germans' technological prowess in downsizing engines while upsizing performance seems to know no bounds, with the latest small wonder being the BMW 528i. Despite its numerical label, the 528i is not a 5 Series mid-sized executive sedan with a 2.8-litre engine. Instead, it has a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder unit."

this is how i see it..................

becoz of tougher carbon emission rules..................the Germans can't comply without reducing engine size...............but how to make up the loss of power ?....................turbo is the answer.....................cheaper and easier to implement than spending money trying to re-engineer the engines...........

result in customers paying more but yet getting 4-cyclinders instead of 6 in the older models..............


why the Japs don't follow ?..................turbos and intercoolers will cost money to replace................plus probably make the engines less reliable..........

 

[Leongsam]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

The 535i is a 3 litre 6 cylinder model.

The 550 is 4.4 litre V8.

 

[Froggy]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

Thank you all for the above information its very helpful. Now I understand.

I just found out the price differences as follows:

Price difference in Thailand -
520i = 3,599,000 (S$149k)
528i = 4,099,000 (S$170k) difference about S$20k

Price difference in Singapore from sgcarmart (Performance Motor) -
520i = S$257.8k
528i = S$277.8k difference is S$20k

Price difference in Singapore from sgcarmart (Parallel Importer) -
520i = S$225k
528i = S$240k difference is S$15k

 

[Leongsam]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

Thank you all for the above information its very helpful. Now I understand.

NZ prices are invariably one of the cheapest in the world....

The 528iSE is NZD123,000.

View attachment BMW_5_Series_Sedan_PriceAndOptions.pdf​

 

[Froggy]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

NZ prices are invariably one of the cheapest in the world....

The 528iSE is NZD123,000.

View attachment 9411​

Ya tell me about it, TRD86 is only NZ$64k what a steal.

Seriously considering the new GS but the cost here for import is rather unreasonable.

 

[GOD IS MY DOG]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

The 535i is a 3 litre 6 cylinder model.

The 550 is 4.4 litre V8.

last time got V10 and V12............now even top 7 series got V8 only............

that's why gearboxes got more and more gears now..........only V10 or V12 engines can use 5-speed gearboxes

 

[Tuayapeh]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

Thank you all for the above information its very helpful. Now I understand.

I just found out the price differences as follows:

Price difference in Thailand -
520i = 3,599,000 (S$149k)
528i = 4,099,000 (S$170k) difference about S$20k

Price difference in Singapore from sgcarmart (Performance Motor) -
520i = S$257.8k
528i = S$277.8k difference is S$20k

Price difference in Singapore from sgcarmart (Parallel Importer) -
520i = S$225k
528i = S$240k difference is S$15k

Price of a microchip lah... the on board computer which controls the engine will tell it what to do literally ....but dun fuck around or else void all warranties and software hard to reset

 

[singveld]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

just get the 520i , you dun need the extra power and better brakes for 528i in thailand
you probably do not need the more powerful turbo charger, since both engine are similar, if you are running into traffic jam in thailand.
they both look super, just save the money and fund it for holiday to japan this year.

even if you live in germany, you still dun need the power of 528i, since their highway are limited to 250 km/h anyway, since all cars in germany have speed limiter.

 

[Froggy]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

just get the 520i , you dun need the extra power and better brakes for 528i in thailand
you probably do not need the more powerful turbo charger, since both engine are similar, if you are running into traffic jam in thailand.
they both look super, just save the money and fund it for holiday to japan this year.

even if you live in germany, you still dun need the power of 528i, since their highway are limited to 250 km/h anyway, since all cars in germany have speed limiter.

I read that the new GS had been engineered to be aggressive to drive and so I was comparing it to other makes and while checking out BMW was surprised to discover both 520i and 528i has the same capacity. Me being myself will again lean towards the Lexus make of course but its nice to compare. I should go for a test drive of the 520i and 528i comparing each other and comparing to the GS. As for holiday in Japan already booked during the Thai Songkrang holidays coincide with the Sakura festival in Tokyo area be there for 10 days.

 

[singveld]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

OK sound good, remember to tell us what is the result of the test drive.

 

[singveld]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

Oh i forgot to mention that tonychat advise people not to go to japan due to radiation.

 

[Froggy]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

OK sound good, remember to tell us what is the result of the test drive.

Roger that. Will test the week after next.

Oh i forgot to mention that tonychat advise people not to go to japan due to radiation.

Ya I saw that I've still another month before I leave so got time, it's free and easy and can cancel anytime with slight penalty.

 

[Froggy]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

OK sound good, remember to tell us what is the result of the test drive.

Ok finally tested both the 520i and 528i yesterday at BMS's Lat Phrao Road dealership Millennium Auto. First of all I am no profesional writer or automotive expert so its going to be brief both cars are 2L engines twin turbo but different power 218 vs 184 hp and torque 350 vs 270

Lat Phrao road is one of the busiest roads in Bangkok so not able to drive fast except for a short strict of expressway when returning to Lat Phrao. I have to admit its been a long time that I've last driven the beemer. As expected the torque is the thing that puts a smile on my face. The responsiveness of the engine to the paddle is remarkably quick almost immediate and I am comparing to the Japanese cars I've been driving all this while so I really enjoy the feeling of instant power when ever I need it especially after a corner or u-turn. I could feel a small lag when driving the 520i compared to the 528i however because I am not pro so it is negligible. I must say the turbo works very well and fast to quickly provide extra power to the 2L car. On cornering I have to say the 528i holds better but I guess its due to the difference in tyres rather than the engine of the car, 245/45/18 compared to 225/55/17.

Comparing looks and equipment obviously the 528i is preferable to the 520i and I'll show you why

Centre Console

528i (10 inch screen with navigator)

520i (6.5" screen without navigator)

Steering

528i (with paddle shift)

520i (without peddle shift)

Front

528i (have to say this has a nice steering wheel to grip than the 520i)

520i

Wheels

528i (245/45/18)

520i (225/55/17)

The Back looks almost identical really don't like the exhausts

528i

520i

So the two things I really like about the cars are the power/torque and suprisingly the auto start stop feature of the car which saves fuel.

I have to say I really like these German cars over Japanese in terms of the fun to drive factor. But then the quality of the build is pretty normal and don;t really have the luxurious feel to it. I also have question about the reliability of the turbo over time to power the 2L engine. I am bought over by the fun factor especially the 528i. So far for Japanese cars that I had driven the only car that is as fun is the 350Z but then we're not comparing apple to apple sedan to sedan.

 

[Froggy]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

As my verdict for the beemers is that I really like the fun factor in driving compare to Japanese I really mean compared to car like the latest Lexus GS250. So depending on drivers if a driver mind about comfort and luxury then he may chose the GS250 and let me show you why when you compare to the above photos

Console

The entire dash board

Steering

The front cabin of the car

Dash material

The Wheel

So you see, there is an obvious difference between the Japanese and German in terms of build quality and looks.

 

[peppertail]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

even if you live in germany, you still dun need the power of 528i, since their highway are limited to 250 km/h anyway, since all cars in germany have speed limiter.

Not quite right. There is no speed limit on the highway except for sections going through residential areas or those with safety considerations.

The 250km/h limit is a sort of gentlemen agreement made amongst german car manufacturers. A car owner is at liberty to remove the speed limit through software tuning anytime.

 

[Froggy]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

Not quite right. There is no speed limit on the highway except for sections going through residential areas or those with safety considerations.

The 250km/h limit is a sort of gentlemen agreement made amongst german car manufacturers so as to avoid a 'top speed race' amongst themselves. A car owner is at liberty to remove the speed limit through software tuning anytime.

Meaning its legal?

 

[peppertail]

Re: Model # used to depict engine capacity - why BMW 520i and 528i both 1997cc? Kelon

Meaning its legal?

Yes it is.