[remmib]

Originally Posted by jackaleyess

Where r u from mate?

He's from Norway as I am.

The car taxes here are exponential increasing as the hp increase, so I think I've seen one 535i and never seen a 550i

[TheRealOrosie]

Originally Posted by luvthestck

I just don't get it, The 535 needs a power bump more than the 550i, The new A6 is eating into the sales of 535 with its specs and handling.Yet BMW wants to update this monster first?? WTH
The 550i at 400 hp is really fast to start off with.Sure i wouldn't mind the extra ponies...but I am pretty sure more sales stay with the 535 engine.I don't get the logic behind this move.


edit: I just checked the 550 GT[which cad a confirmed update in engine N63TU] specs and its even more confusing

It states;
"4.4-liter, 32-valve 400-hp V-8 engine with TwinPower Turbo technology, piezo direct fuel injection, 4 overhead camshafts, and Double-VANOS steplessly variable valve timing"

I think that is because they still have the 2012 GT on the site, and not the 2013.

[luvthestck]

Originally Posted by P-Town550i

I think that is because they still have the 2012 GT on the site, and not the 2013.

Yeah but "Double-VANOS steplessly variable valve timing"i think is for N63TU as far as I know.....not for the 2012 GT model.

NM: I just found out that valvetronic + Double VANOS is specific to N63 Thanks

[Alan l.]

Back to 400HP again for the 550. WTF BMW???

Alan

[Terpinator]

I just noticed that as well. Now the Standard Features lists the HP rating as 400, but still says that it has double vanons and Valvetronic? And the picture in the build your own feature shows the auto start button.

How can it have vavletronic and not the higher HP rating? Come on BMW, get your info correct.

[Jason]

Looks like BMW corrected it (to 400hp).

I just confirmed with BMWNA that the 2013 5 Series remains 400hp. It's the GT that gets the technical update for 445HP.

Sorry for bearing the bad news

[ElGordo]

Originally Posted by jackaleyess

Where r u from mate?

Sorry to mess up the tread... Om from the country where you pay a minimum Of 100k for a reasonably specced 520. Also called Norway.

[Mbbrewer]

Does anyone understand the logic on the GT getting the engine upgrade and not the higher selling sedan?

[bubbahead]

Originally Posted by Mbbrewer

Does anyone understand the logic on the GT getting the engine upgrade and not the higher selling sedan?

I'm just guessing that the 550GT came out in 2009-10...and its midcycle . The f10 came out in 2011...engine upgrade would usually go with the slated/rumoured LCI in 2014... IMO...

[335NYC]

Originally Posted by Terpinator

BMW lists the torque rating for the N63TU in the 7 series as 480, so that's a 30 ft lbs improvement. Also, the improvement is a result of the addition the Valvetronic system (variable valve timing and lift system), so it's not a software upgrade.

I'm also surprised to see the 535 not get the power increase.

So are you saying the engine currently doesn't benefit from a variable valve timing system or there are enhancements made to it which yield more power because I am pretty certain there is a variable system already in place on the 2012's?

[Terpinator]

The N63B44 (in the 2012 and earlier, and now we know 2013) does not have Vavletronic. It has the Double-Vanos system. Here is the best description of the two systems:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valvetronic

"First introduced by BMW on the 316ti compact in 2001, Valvetronic has since been added to many of BMW's engines. The Valvetronic system is coupled with BMW's proven double-VANOS, to further enhance both power and efficiency across the engine speed range. Valvetronic was not coupled to early BMW's N53, "High Precision Injection" (gasoline direct injection) technology engines due to lack of room in the cylinder head. New generation 'compact' Valvetronic allows for direct injection to utilized in the N55B30 turbo engine, as seen in the 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo.
Valvetronic was initially used on BMW's mass-market engines, mostly of the naturally aspirated variety such as the BMW N42 straight-4, N62 V8, N73 V12, and N52 straight-6.

Valvetronic was not found on the directly-injected N53 straight-6, nor was it on the directly-injected and twin-turbocharged N54 straight-6 and N63 V8.

Directly-injected and turbocharged engines introduced in 2009 such as the single-turbo N55 straight-6 and the twin-turbo N74 V12 also make use of Valvetronic.

Until 2012, no high-performance M-series vehicle uses Valvetronic, instead continuing to utilise multiple throttle-bodied designs. The 2012 BMW M5 (F10), however, will use an updated S63 engine that adds Valvetronic technology in lieu of the individual throttles found on its equivalents in the BMW X5 M and X6 M. The 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe will also feature a Valvetronic update of the N63 engine."

[Russkey]

[335NYC]

Originally Posted by Terpinator

The N63B44 (in the 2012 and earlier, and now we know 2013) does not have Vavletronic. It has the Double-Vanos system. Here is the best description of the two systems:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valvetronic

"First introduced by BMW on the 316ti compact in 2001, Valvetronic has since been added to many of BMW's engines. The Valvetronic system is coupled with BMW's proven double-VANOS, to further enhance both power and efficiency across the engine speed range. Valvetronic was not coupled to early BMW's N53, "High Precision Injection" (gasoline direct injection) technology engines due to lack of room in the cylinder head. New generation 'compact' Valvetronic allows for direct injection to utilized in the N55B30 turbo engine, as seen in the 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo.
Valvetronic was initially used on BMW's mass-market engines, mostly of the naturally aspirated variety such as the BMW N42 straight-4, N62 V8, N73 V12, and N52 straight-6.

Valvetronic was not found on the directly-injected N53 straight-6, nor was it on the directly-injected and twin-turbocharged N54 straight-6 and N63 V8.

Directly-injected and turbocharged engines introduced in 2009 such as the single-turbo N55 straight-6 and the twin-turbo N74 V12 also make use of Valvetronic.

Until 2012, no high-performance M-series vehicle uses Valvetronic, instead continuing to utilise multiple throttle-bodied designs. The 2012 BMW M5 (F10), however, will use an updated S63 engine that adds Valvetronic technology in lieu of the individual throttles found on its equivalents in the BMW X5 M and X6 M. The 2013 BMW 650i Gran Coupe will also feature a Valvetronic update of the N63 engine."

Learn something new everyday. Thank you very much for the informative post!

[r3dbimmer89]

So we FINALLY get the passive M sports suspension with the 535i M sport!!! T

[mnemonik23]

No ARS?

[Sharon535]

I am currently shopping for a 550i and was at a dealer yesterday. The sales guy has been there for many years and knows us as long time customers. He mentioned the HP bump on the new 550, but told us that BMW is not releasing that information for a while as they want to clear as much 2012 stock as possible. "Who's gonna want to buy a 400hp 2012 when they can just wait for a 445hp 2013?!?!"

Not sure if that's a valid answer, or whether or not he had just "read" something online, but I thought I'd share..........

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Sharon550

I am currently shopping for a 550i and was at a dealer yesterday. The sales guy has been there for many years and knows us as long time customers. He mentioned the HP bump on the new 550, but told us that BMW is not releasing that information for a while as they want to clear as much 2012 stock as possible. "Who's gonna want to buy a 400hp 2012 when they can just wait for a 445hp 2013?!?!"

Not sure if that's a valid answer, or whether or not he had just "read" something online, but I thought I'd share..........

Here is my response from earlier in the thread. BMWNA/USA confirms that the 2013 550i will not get the 445HP engine update. This is not a strategy to clear 2012 inventory.

Originally Posted by Jason

I just confirmed with BMWNA that the 2013 5 Series remains 400hp. It's the GT that gets the technical update for 445HP.

Sorry for bearing the bad news

[JK479]

Originally Posted by Jason

Here is my response from earlier in the thread. BMWNA/USA confirms that the 2013 550i will not get the 445HP engine update. This is not a strategy to clear 2012 inventory.

jason, did you say you were going to preview the LCI news? I remmeber you saying this before...

[Mbbrewer]

Originally Posted by Jason

Here is my response from earlier in the thread. BMWNA/USA confirms that the 2013 550i will not get the 445HP engine update. This is not a strategy to clear 2012 inventory.

Jason, If this is not a strategy to clear 2012 inventory, do you have any insight as to why BMW decided not to upgrade the 550i in 2013? It seems that there is much speculation but nothing definitive.

[TheRox]

Originally Posted by Alan l.

My guess is that Bmw is going to bump the hp up on the 535 in 2014 when the LCI comes out. There is also rumors about how the new 4 series coupe will have a new motor so who knows if bmw is purposely holding out until next year. Sucks for 535 guys, great for the 550 owners that got a nice bump for free.

Alan

Can't you just bump the 535 yourself with a tune, a conservative one (ie. giving you 330 hp)?


THe 550 is getting VANOS, its a different engine setup to some extent...the 535 is probably just getting more boost - software update if you will; i doubt they're going to reinforce turbos or change the mechanics.

[TheRox]

Originally Posted by Sharon550

I am currently shopping for a 550i and was at a dealer yesterday. The sales guy has been there for many years and knows us as long time customers. He mentioned the HP bump on the new 550, but told us that BMW is not releasing that information for a while as they want to clear as much 2012 stock as possible. "Who's gonna want to buy a 400hp 2012 when they can just wait for a 445hp 2013?!?!"

Not sure if that's a valid answer, or whether or not he had just "read" something online, but I thought I'd share..........

I would buy the 400 hp 550 if I save nearly 10% - I wouldn't order a 5 series to spec and pay more.

B/c the gap between the 535 with comfort seats (msport pack) and 550 base is only 2-3 k at that point.

Lets see whats on the lot.

[Estimated Prophet]

Originally Posted by TheRox

I would buy the 400 hp 550 if I save nearly 10% - I wouldn't order a 5 series to spec and pay more.

That's what I did. It came down to grabbing a very nicely equipped 2012 550i off the lot @ almost $11k off of MSRP or ordering a 2013 535i for close to the same money. I choose the 550i (and am very glad I did).