2011 528i or 2012 528i

xuefeng1981 · 06-21-2011, 02:52 PM

Hi all,

I got informed that the 2012 528i (starting this September/October) will be powered by the new turbo 4 instead of the inline 6. I've heard quite a few nice things about the new turbo 4 (more torque, better fuel economy, potential turning for more power? etc), but also appreciate the smooth running of the inline 6.

Right now I'm still leaning towards the current inline 6 model, but I'd like to see more opinions especially from people who has experienced the engine.

Thanks!

Needsdecaf · 06-21-2011, 02:56 PM

Tough to get better fuel economy than the current engine already does, but I suspect you'll see some gains.

Personally, that engine is well tested and relatively issue-free. Vs. the new engine and potential teething problems.

Yes, the new engine will have more tuning ability. Consider the N/A 6 to be essentially useless when it comes to a tune.

bobblehead · 06-21-2011, 03:13 PM

go test drive the 2012 X1 28i and see for yourself.

But if you can get a huge discount on the 2011 528, then consider it.

cliveywolves · 06-21-2011, 03:48 PM

Yes I would def stay with the excellent and trusted 6 cylinder you always get problems with new engines fact !

bodonx · 06-21-2011, 04:45 PM

I would take the NA engine.

raleedy · 06-21-2011, 07:39 PM

The nice thing about the turbo 4 is that it opens up a whole field of other cars you can consider, from the Hyundai Sonata on up. Try and find another normally aspirated in-line 6 anywhere. German auto mags have tested the new N20 turbo 4 and find it ok, but harsh.

Bandini3 · 06-21-2011, 09:13 PM

I had an opportunity to test drive the X1 28i (2.0 litre T) and BMW 328Xis at a BMW event recently. Even though the Xi had the 8-speed AT (vs. 6-speed on 328), I would have to say I was underwhelmed. That might have been because the BMW marketing types gave the turbo-4 such a send-up before the test.

The X1 was OK, but I do recall some turbo lag. If I had to choose right now, I would stick with the tried-and-true inline six. Apart from anything else, it sounds better.

I agree with the suggestion that you should test drive an X1 before you decide.

On paper, the Turbo-4 should feel noticeably stronger than the 528i's six (torque 258 lb-ft @ 1250rpm versus 200 lb-ft @2750rpm).

efftee · 06-21-2011, 11:09 PM

Any 'rumored' changes expected for the 2012 535i? I ordered a unit due to arrive end Sept early Oct.

GordonGecko · 06-21-2011, 11:21 PM

2011 for sure. Cheaper initial cost, smoother running, faster throttle. Seriously no question or doubt in my mind at all regarding the trade offs.

xuefeng1981 · 06-23-2011, 02:19 PM

Thanks a lot for all the suggestion! The turbo four would be out of question if there's any noticeable lag. I guess I should pull the trigger as long as I like the test drive of the current 6 cylinder car. According to the dealer, there are very few 528i in Canada so there won't be a great deal on them even though the engine will be changed soon. Just hope they could put the same muffler setup as 535i on the 528i. Nothing to do with status, etc.. I'm just a person who likes symmetric design. 535i just looks more balanced from behind in my opinion.

alexckma · 06-23-2011, 02:32 PM

if you are ordering one as opposed to getting one from the lot then yes the discount would not be so apparent, but if you get it from the lot then its a different story

xuefeng1981 · 06-23-2011, 02:38 PM

I am talking about the ones from the lot. As I was told the inventory of 528i is low in Canada so won't be great deals on them.

bobblehead · 06-23-2011, 03:42 PM

^ exhaust mod - Not worth it. It will cost you big $ to do it. Cutting the bumper is required for dual exhaust.

If you need a Xdrive, you will have to step up to a 535. One blogger I talked to last month went to BMW Toronto and without opening his mouth, the sales guy offered him 8.5% off MSRP.

xuefeng1981 · 06-24-2011, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobblehead

^ exhaust mod - Not worth it. It will cost you big $ to do it. Cutting the bumper is required for dual exhaust.

If you need a Xdrive, you will have to step up to a 535. One blogger I talked to last month went to BMW Toronto and without opening his mouth, the sales guy offered him 8.5% off MSRP.

8.5% is roughly what I got after a few talk with the sales, but I'm not too happy with it yet. What was the final deal that person got? in % off MSRP?

Thanks!

bobblehead · 06-24-2011, 06:31 AM

^ 8.5% off was the last I had pm with him. That was in early May. He was (like you) wants a bit more off.

Dealer still makes about 1% on the car + $400 admin fee. Total take is still about $1000 (maybe even more as there are incentives between BMW Canada & dealers that consumers don't know about, like volume incentive)

If you really want the dealer to play ball, maybe reduce the admin fee to about $150 and see. I see you are from Waterloo, only 1 dealer there and it's the same owner as BMW Toronto & Parkview BMW.

06-21-2011, 02:52 PM	#1
xuefeng1981 New Member 2 Rep 9 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Waterloo iTrader: (0)	2011 528i or 2012 528i Hi all, I got informed that the 2012 528i (starting this September/October) will be powered by the new turbo 4 instead of the inline 6. I've heard quite a few nice things about the new turbo 4 (more torque, better fuel economy, potential turning for more power? etc), but also appreciate the smooth running of the inline 6. Right now I'm still leaning towards the current inline 6 model, but I'd like to see more opinions especially from people who has experienced the engine. Thanks!
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06-21-2011, 02:56 PM	#2
Needsdecaf Major General 6510 Rep 6,653 Posts Drives: 2024 G80 Comp xDrive Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The Woodlands, TX iTrader: (0)	Tough to get better fuel economy than the current engine already does, but I suspect you'll see some gains. Personally, that engine is well tested and relatively issue-free. Vs. the new engine and potential teething problems. Yes, the new engine will have more tuning ability. Consider the N/A 6 to be essentially useless when it comes to a tune.
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06-21-2011, 03:13 PM	#3
bobblehead Brigadier General 256 Rep 4,721 Posts Drives: warp speed Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, On iTrader: (0)	go test drive the 2012 X1 28i and see for yourself. But if you can get a huge discount on the 2011 528, then consider it.
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06-21-2011, 03:48 PM	#4
cliveywolves Second Lieutenant 37 Rep 270 Posts Drives: 330e M Sport Plus Edition 2020 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Yes I would def stay with the excellent and trusted 6 cylinder you always get problems with new engines fact !
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06-21-2011, 04:45 PM	#5
bodonx Second Lieutenant 46 Rep 282 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 M5 CP Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	I would take the NA engine.
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06-21-2011, 07:39 PM	#6
raleedy Colonel 160 Rep 2,248 Posts Drives: 2016 228i 6-speed Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portland, Oregon iTrader: (0)	The nice thing about the turbo 4 is that it opens up a whole field of other cars you can consider, from the Hyundai Sonata on up. Try and find another normally aspirated in-line 6 anywhere. German auto mags have tested the new N20 turbo 4 and find it ok, but harsh.
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06-21-2011, 09:13 PM	#7
Bandini3 Reader 31 Rep 126 Posts Drives: 535xi, 435xi Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Northeast iTrader: (0)	I had an opportunity to test drive the X1 28i (2.0 litre T) and BMW 328Xis at a BMW event recently. Even though the Xi had the 8-speed AT (vs. 6-speed on 328), I would have to say I was underwhelmed. That might have been because the BMW marketing types gave the turbo-4 such a send-up before the test. The X1 was OK, but I do recall some turbo lag. If I had to choose right now, I would stick with the tried-and-true inline six. Apart from anything else, it sounds better. I agree with the suggestion that you should test drive an X1 before you decide. On paper, the Turbo-4 should feel noticeably stronger than the 528i's six (torque 258 lb-ft @ 1250rpm versus 200 lb-ft @2750rpm).
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06-21-2011, 11:09 PM	#8
efftee New Member 0 Rep 12 Posts Drives: 530i e60 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Singapore iTrader: (0)	Any 'rumored' changes expected for the 2012 535i? I ordered a unit due to arrive end Sept early Oct.
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06-21-2011, 11:21 PM	#9
GordonGecko Enlisted Member 0 Rep 37 Posts Drives: BMW 530i SE Auto (E39) Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Amsterdam iTrader: (0)	2011 for sure. Cheaper initial cost, smoother running, faster throttle. Seriously no question or doubt in my mind at all regarding the trade offs.
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06-23-2011, 02:19 PM	#10
xuefeng1981 New Member 2 Rep 9 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Waterloo iTrader: (0)	Thanks a lot for all the suggestion! The turbo four would be out of question if there's any noticeable lag. I guess I should pull the trigger as long as I like the test drive of the current 6 cylinder car. According to the dealer, there are very few 528i in Canada so there won't be a great deal on them even though the engine will be changed soon. Just hope they could put the same muffler setup as 535i on the 528i. Nothing to do with status, etc.. I'm just a person who likes symmetric design. 535i just looks more balanced from behind in my opinion.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-23-2011, 02:32 PM	#11
alexckma Lieutenant 30 Rep 518 Posts Drives: P. Panorama 10, L Gallardo 05 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Hong Kong, Canada iTrader: (0)	if you are ordering one as opposed to getting one from the lot then yes the discount would not be so apparent, but if you get it from the lot then its a different story
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06-23-2011, 02:38 PM	#12
xuefeng1981 New Member 2 Rep 9 Posts Drives: e90 Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Waterloo iTrader: (0)	I am talking about the ones from the lot. As I was told the inventory of 528i is low in Canada so won't be great deals on them.
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06-23-2011, 03:42 PM	#13
bobblehead Brigadier General 256 Rep 4,721 Posts Drives: warp speed Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, On iTrader: (0)	^ exhaust mod - Not worth it. It will cost you big $ to do it. Cutting the bumper is required for dual exhaust. If you need a Xdrive, you will have to step up to a 535. One blogger I talked to last month went to BMW Toronto and without opening his mouth, the sales guy offered him 8.5% off MSRP.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-24-2011, 06:31 AM	#15
bobblehead Brigadier General 256 Rep 4,721 Posts Drives: warp speed Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto, On iTrader: (0)	^ 8.5% off was the last I had pm with him. That was in early May. He was (like you) wants a bit more off. Dealer still makes about 1% on the car + $400 admin fee. Total take is still about $1000 (maybe even more as there are incentives between BMW Canada & dealers that consumers don't know about, like volume incentive) If you really want the dealer to play ball, maybe reduce the admin fee to about $150 and see. I see you are from Waterloo, only 1 dealer there and it's the same owner as BMW Toronto & Parkview BMW.
	Appreciate 0 Quote