[Mako]

well it seems like people are fully expecting 2 new engines for the X3 this year (2012 model year). I seem to think this is highly unlikely though, especially for the US customers.

Biggest reason is when is the last time BMW introduced a new car, and the second year of production brought two brand new engines into play (eliminating one current one in the process, 28i)?

-I think the best chance we (US) have of getting a new engine is the 35D (new or old version) because we don't have a D yet and this could be the reason, they didn't want to bring the current 35D engine here when the new one was almost ready to go and they didn't want to bring the 30D here because they don't want to test it for our market (the 35D will be used in many of their lines, 30D would probalby only be in the lower end cars).

-28i new engine probably won't make it to the X3 until mid cycle refresh, so that could be 3 years from now. Why would they wait? well why did they wait so long to bring the new 35i engine to the X5? they waited for the refresh, there were 2 years that the 3 series and 5 series had the 300hp engine but the X5 still only had 260 (or 265, I forget). It makes more sense that when the X1 comes to the US and with the new 1 series and 3 series they will introduce them with this new engine. Same thing with the Z4, I bet that doesn't get the new i4 turbo until its refresh.

There is also a good chance we will see neither of these engines and might see the old 35D engine instead because how much sense would it make for BMW to offer a more powerfull 35D in the X3 than in the X5 and 335D? unless they plan on changing all those over as well (just seems like BMW doesn't like to change engines unless its a model refresh as well). That said, I don't think the old 35D engine would sell well because its slower than the 35i, costs a premium and the MPG improvement might not justify the price increase, the new engine on the other hand is just as fast as the 35i and still gets better MPG, which can easily justify $2K more for it.

Thoughts?

[robertb]

I disagree. I fully expect to see the 28i switched to the 4 cylinder model this Nov. BMW released the new e90 3-series as a 2006 model. The first year's models were the 330i and the 325i. The next year (2007), they introduced the 335i and the 328i engines. I don't expect to see the 35d in the X3 until BMW has certified the 35d engine/8 speed automatic combo in the US. I expect that will be released this Nov. as well, but maybe only on the X5. I'd be thrilled to see it on the X3 though.

[MA78]

Originally Posted by robertb

I disagree. I fully expect to see the 28i switched to the 4 cylinder model this Nov. BMW released the new e90 3-series as a 2006 model. The first year's models were the 330i and the 325i. The next year (2007), they introduced the 335i and the 328i engines. I don't expect to see the 35d in the X3 until BMW has certified the 35d engine/8 speed automatic combo in the US. I expect that will be released this Nov. as well, but maybe only on the X5. I'd be thrilled to see it on the X3 though.

I guarantee you this will not happen.

The only change you will see in the F25 will be the likely addition on the 35d this summer. Count on it.

[CdnE90]

Originally Posted by MA78

I guarantee you this will not happen.

The only change you will see in the F25 will be the likely addition on the 35d this summer. Count on it.

35d this summer? Really? That would be awesome! When are we going to know? I have a 35i on order, but I would much rather get a 35d and wait a few months.

[robertb]

Here's the info I've seen on other BMW sites:
I4 switchover and end of production schedule:
E89 Z4 sDrive30i to switch to TwinPower I4 in September 2011
F10/F11 528i to switch to TwinPower I4 in September 2011
F25 X3 xDrive28i to switch to TwinPower I4 in 4th Quarter 2011
E81/E87 1 series to end production by August 2011 (new 1-series hatchback launched after Geneva - will herald complete petrol turbo-charged engine line up)
E82/E88 1 series to end production in 1st Quarter 2012
E90/E91 3 series and M3 to end production late 2011 or early 2012
E92/E93 3 series and M3 to end production sometime in 4th Quarter 2012

[Upgrade15]

Originally Posted by robertb

Here's the info I've seen on other BMW sites:
I4 switchover and end of production schedule:
E89 Z4 sDrive30i to switch to TwinPower I4 in September 2011
F10/F11 528i to switch to TwinPower I4 in September 2011
F25 X3 xDrive28i to switch to TwinPower I4 in 4th Quarter 2011
E81/E87 1 series to end production by August 2011 (new 1-series hatchback launched after Geneva - will herald complete petrol turbo-charged engine line up)
E82/E88 1 series to end production in 1st Quarter 2012
E90/E91 3 series and M3 to end production late 2011 or early 2012
E92/E93 3 series and M3 to end production sometime in 4th Quarter 2012

Okay, not to sound totally stupid, but why would they switch the engine from a 6 cylinder for the X3 xDrive28i? Are there advantages to this and where can I read about this to make some sort of intelligent decision. I am considering the 35i also and not sure what the "D" would mean either!

[robertb]

BMW is phasing out the non-turbo six cylinder engines to be replaced by a more powerful, more efficient 4 cylinder engine. I would expect the 6 cylinder 28i to fully be dead by the time the 3 series ends production at the end of this year or early next year. It would have been in the X3 this year had it been ready, but it wasn't. Just like the 35i engine wasn't ready when the 2006 3 series was released and it didn't make it in until the 2007 model year.

The "d" is for diesel.

[MA78]

Originally Posted by robertb

Here's the info I've seen on other BMW sites:
I4 switchover and end of production schedule:
E89 Z4 sDrive30i to switch to TwinPower I4 in September 2011
F10/F11 528i to switch to TwinPower I4 in September 2011
F25 X3 xDrive28i to switch to TwinPower I4 in 4th Quarter 2011
E81/E87 1 series to end production by August 2011 (new 1-series hatchback launched after Geneva - will herald complete petrol turbo-charged engine line up)
E82/E88 1 series to end production in 1st Quarter 2012
E90/E91 3 series and M3 to end production late 2011 or early 2012
E92/E93 3 series and M3 to end production sometime in 4th Quarter 2012

Just rumors.

[Mako]

Originally Posted by MrsAdams2007

Okay, not to sound totally stupid, but why would they switch the engine from a 6 cylinder for the X3 xDrive28i? Are there advantages to this and where can I read about this to make some sort of intelligent decision. I am considering the 35i also and not sure what the "D" would mean either!

just to explain a little more, the current 28i uses a 240HP 6 cylinder engine that gets 19/25 MPG, the new i4 turbo engine will have 245HP and more torque, it will be a little faster than the current 28i but not as fast as the 35i. It will also get a lot better MPG, expect at least 22/28 out of it.

The Diesel if it comes here, we have no clue which one, but if its the 35D it will have 299hp, 440lb torque, be as fast as the 35i but get much better MPG, around 30 mpg combined city and highway (maybe a little less), but will probably cost $2K more than the 35i.

If all three engines were a choice, I would have a hard time deciding between the inline 4 i28 and the 35D but probably wouldn't consider the 35i anymore (unless the MPG rating on the 35D is lower than expected, has to make sense in gas savings to spend more on a diesel engine).

[MA78]

Originally Posted by Mako

just to explain a little more, the current 28i uses a 240HP 6 cylinder engine that gets 19/25 MPG, the new i4 turbo engine will have 245HP and more torque, it will be a little faster than the current 28i but not as fast as the 35i. It will also get a lot better MPG, expect at least 22/28 out of it.

The Diesel if it comes here, we have no clue which one, but if its the 35D it will have 299hp, 440lb torque, be as fast as the 35i but get much better MPG, around 30 mpg combined city and highway (maybe a little less), but will probably cost $2K more than the 35i.

If all three engines were a choice, I would have a hard time deciding between the inline 4 i28 and the 35D but probably wouldn't consider the 35i anymore (unless the MPG rating on the 35D is lower than expected, has to make sense in gas savings to spend more on a diesel engine).

I would go with the 35D. A 4 cylinder BMW would be pointless to me. Might as well buy a VW.

[Upgrade15]

I'm kind of cracking up at myself over the "D". I drive a diesel now! Thanks for the info...great stuff to know. Hmmm....with the introduction of the 35D, will the 35i become obsolete?

[Mako]

Originally Posted by MrsAdams2007

I'm kind of cracking up at myself over the "D". I drive a diesel now! Thanks for the info...great stuff to know. Hmmm....with the introduction of the 35D, will the 35i become obsolete?

No, a lot of people in the US still won't buy a diesel for one reason or another. Its still going to be a couple thousand cheaper too, plus depending on where you live Diesel fuel may not be at every gas station... Gotta look at it this way, if Diesel fuel is $0.10 higher than premium fuel and the car costs $2K-$3K more up front, is the extra 6-7 mpg worth it? if you drive 12,000 miles a year and the 35i gets 23 mpg on average while the 35D gets 30 mpg (that may be a high figure, could be in the high 20s instead) and lets say premium gas is $3.90 and Diesel is $4, that means you pay $1600 for Diesel or $2035 for Premium. so you save $435 per year over 4 years = $1740 but the engine cost you $2500 more, is it worth it? well the Diesel car might be worth more used because of the better MPG and you might also have a tax incentive, so it depends.

[robertb]

Originally Posted by MrsAdams2007

I'm kind of cracking up at myself over the "D". I drive a diesel now! Thanks for the info...great stuff to know. Hmmm....with the introduction of the 35D, will the 35i become obsolete?

No, just different strokes for different folks. But it's all conjecture anyway since BMW hasn't announced any engine changes/additions for the X3 in the US. I still maintain that BMW will move to the 4 cylinder 28i this fall. It only makes sense. They're not going to wait 3 years for the refresh. The new 4 gets better gas mileage and has more horsepower and torque than the current nonturbo 6. Whether they bring the 35d engine to the X3 is another question and is just pure speculation. BMW has at least announced that the new 4 is replacing the old 6, just not the timetable. They haven't said diddly about the diesel.

[Mako]

Originally Posted by robertb

No, just different strokes for different folks. But it's all conjecture anyway since BMW hasn't announced any engine changes/additions for the X3 in the US. I still maintain that BMW will move to the 4 cylinder 28i this fall. It only makes sense. They're not going to wait 3 years for the refresh. The new 4 gets better gas mileage and has more horsepower and torque than the current nonturbo 6. Whether they bring the 35d engine to the X3 is another question and is just pure speculation. BMW has at least announced that the new 4 is replacing the old 6, just not the timetable. They haven't said diddly about the diesel.

Actually BMW has said nothing about the X3 engines, find a press release showing they have. Both the i4 and new 35D are confirmed engines for the company as a whole but not for what cars or when, that's all rumors until BMW announces it.

[robertb]

Mako, read my post, that's exactly what I said, "BMW hasn't announced any engine changes/additions for the X3 in the US." "BMW has at least announced that the new 4 is replacing the old 6, just not the timetable. They haven't said diddly about the diesel." It's my opinion the four will be released this fall and you've not said anything that convinces me otherwise.

[kosmoHR]

Bump.

Now that it's mid-summer, anybody have anything firm on normally aspirated I6 or turbo I4 as 2012 base engine in the X3?

[///MPower_2014]

Don't forget that with CAFE fuel economy requirements getting higher, BMW cannot follow their typical release cycle logic anymore...so the past is not a good indicator of the future.

[clarence]

The press release said nth abt F25 engines for this September only, so anything can happen after September.
The N20 is already being fitted to EU F25s already, with deliveries starting 10/11. The 1st N20 F25 will be the X3 20i in 184ps tune. As a matter of interest, the EU-spec N52/3 fitted to all BMWs ending in "28" have power output of 258ps, & so in terms of power the N20 is a downgrade (upgrade in terms of torque & economy). Consequently, for the F10 at least, the "new" 528i has a lower list price than the "old" 528i.

[clarence]

Originally Posted by MA78

I would go with the 35D. A 4 cylinder BMW would be pointless to me. Might as well buy a VW.

A lot of ppl will disagree with u. BMW sells more 4cyl cars than 6 or 8 or 12 worldwide. A lot of ppl are very happy with their 4cyl BMW diesels, & one guy is particularly happy with his 4cyl 2.0 petrol as it gave him 3 consecutive world touring car championships.

[clarence]

Originally Posted by Mako

-28i new engine probably won't make it to the X3 until mid cycle refresh, so that could be 3 years from now. Why would they wait? well why did they wait so long to bring the new 35i engine to the X5? they waited for the refresh, there were 2 years that the 3 series and 5 series had the 300hp engine but the X5 still only had 260 (or 265, I forget). It makes more sense that when the X1 comes to the US and with the new 1 series and 3 series they will introduce them with this new engine. Same thing with the Z4, I bet that doesn't get the new i4 turbo until its refresh.

They waited for the refresh of X5 to introduce the turbo cos the N55 wasn't ready yet.
BMW has not followed any logical sequence when launching new engines worldwide. E.g. they fitted the then new M50 engine into the E34 when it was in production for 3 yrs (facelift didn't come until MY94). Also the original N52 was fitted to the E60 after 2 yrs in production, together with a new ZF auto.

[Pinoyako]

If BMW change 28i to 4 cylinder, will it rival there X1? X3 is heavier than X1 hence it will require more fuel to move it right?

[Lucky13]

Why would BMW keep the I6 when they have already said in writting that the 2012 Z4 and 2012 5 series are going to the N20. N20 is a lot more expensive auto (and fairly heavy). Why would they keep the X3 in the US as the only vehicle with the I6? The 3 series stops production in the next 3 months and the new version also gets the N20. It makes no sense at all to keep producing that engine for the US. N20 is more powerful, more torgue, more fuel efficient, less emissions. I have a dealer checking for me now because I told him I will only order the X3 with the new engine, when I hear back I'll post what he says. He said pricing comes out Aug 1 and production for the 2012 starts Sept 1. So the 5 series is changing engines after one year (announced by BMW in official press releases) so why wouldn't the X3?