[E90Fleet]

Seems there will be some changes made to the 550i engines from February 2012 production (+650i +750i)

Included are a new engine block and new turbo chargers.
No word if the output will change or if this is the new 6 Series Gran Coupe engine

[stealth.pilot]

Source?

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by stealth.pilot

Source?

BMW parts system today

[stealth.pilot]

Very unusual.

The BMW production schedule for 2012 550i is 09/10 - 06/12.

It would be highly unorthodox to make a a major model change in the middle of the production run, normally they only do minor updates like the combox.

My guess is they at be switching to the same engine used in the current 650 Coupe which is ~410hp versus 400hp, but maintains the same 4.4 displacement also used by the M5.

I personally hope it is not the 555i in which case I would need to sell my car immediately to avoid accelerated depreciation loss.

[gatoman39]

Is this the N63Tü?
The 4.4-liter V-8 engine (N63) that powers the current 650i models receives an upgrade for the new 650i Gran Coupe. This new version of the engine adds BMW’s VALVETRONIC variable valve timing to the list of specifications. As a result, the new version of the engine (N63Tü) develops a maximum 445 hp between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm (a 45 hp increase), and makes peak torque of 480 lb-ft between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm (a 30 lbs-ft increase).

[delvek]

Ugh, this post irritates me.

I wonder when any hard information will become available ...

[grimlock]

Originally Posted by gatoman39

Is this the N63Tü?
The 4.4-liter V-8 engine (N63) that powers the current 650i models receives an upgrade for the new 650i Gran Coupe. This new version of the engine adds BMW’s VALVETRONIC variable valve timing to the list of specifications. As a result, the new version of the engine (N63Tü) develops a maximum 445 hp between 5,500 and 6,000 rpm (a 45 hp increase), and makes peak torque of 480 lb-ft between 2,000 and 4,500 rpm (a 30 lbs-ft increase).

Sounds like the M5 block then? with the valvetronic..
if so, quite an improvement..

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by delvek

Ugh, this post irritates me.

I wonder when any hard information will become available ...

Sorry
I dont have anymore info at this stage but did confirm again today the following will change on all 550i, 650i an 750i from February 2012 production:

Engine block
Turbo Chargers
Camshafts

Whether this is will be the N63Tu or just a interim change is not known yet

[delvek]

You realize this is next month? Doesnt add up but I will keep an ear out, this is first I have heard of the potential changes. Configurator doesnt even reflect this which would mean people are ordering their F10's with inaccurate information. Configurator displays:

"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"

[marcielago]

I haven't heard of anything official yet for the F10. What is a fact is that BMW will use the upgraded N63 Tu engine on the new 650i Gran Coupe.

Just like what gatoman said in the earlier post.

[delvek]

Originally Posted by marcielago

What is a fact is that BMW will use the upgraded N63 Tu engine on the new 650i Gran Coupe.

That is what I have read on forums, the configurator is still showing the below for 650i coupe:

"4.4-liter, 32-valve 400-hp V-8 engine with TwinPower Turbo technology, High Precision Direct Injection, 4 overhead camshafts, and Double-VANOS steplessly variable valve timing"

Seems like it should be updated if this is effect on February 2012 builds.

[southlight]

As far as I can tell, this is not (yet) the switchover to the Valvetronic N63 engine but a general engine revision. In other words, nothing changes officially but BMW decided to offer different/new parts for the existing engine. This happens quite regularly, e.g. BMW did the same for the S65 engine of the M3 a while back.

Also, the same changes apply to the S63tu engine of the M5. Hope this helps to avoid confusion.


Best regards,
south

[FlobeySolo]

Ordered my 550i in mid-December. BMW NA says it's in the paint shop to be completed today. Is this info legit enough to try and get the new engine? Not sure how I'd do that...maybe bail on this vehicle and order another with the new motor? Thoughts? Needless to say I'm pumped, but I'd get a rental for another month or 2 if that means I'm gaining 10% in HP....

[gatoman39]

Originally Posted by FlobeySolo

Ordered my 550i in mid-December. BMW NA says it's in the paint shop to be completed today. Is this info legit enough to try and get the new engine? Not sure how I'd do that...maybe bail on this vehicle and order another with the new motor? Thoughts? Needless to say I'm pumped, but I'd get a rental for another month or 2 if that means I'm gaining 10% in HP....

you're trying to time delivery with speculation. What ever you buy something new and better is going to come after it.

[delvek]

Originally Posted by FlobeySolo

Ordered my 550i in mid-December. BMW NA says it's in the paint shop to be completed today. Is this info legit enough to try and get the new engine? Not sure how I'd do that...maybe bail on this vehicle and order another with the new motor? Thoughts? Needless to say I'm pumped, but I'd get a rental for another month or 2 if that means I'm gaining 10% in HP....

I am pretty certain there will not be a hip gain this September in the 550.

Either way, everything about the car is identical so the Hartge ECU I am getting installed in about 10 days will still be the same increase in the potential new engine later on.

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by delvek

I am pretty certain there will not be a hip gain this September in the 550.

Either way, everything about the car is identical so the Hartge ECU I am getting installed in about 10 days will still be the same increase in the potential new engine later on.

I also doubt they will change the engine in a substantive way. Plus it would diminish the value proposition of the 650 grancoupe.

[Needsdecaf]

This does not seem to be correct to me.

[clarence]

I think any changes will come during March 2012. BMW traditionally makes changes twice a year & that's every March & every September.

[FlobeySolo]

Heard back from my CA:

"Every production sheet we have seen shows that the N63 motor (with no variance) will be installed in the 550 through June of this year. When new prodcution begins in August, we do not have word on what motor will be in it...actually, we don't have word when the 2013 models will begin production at all"

So it looks like I'm stuck with (only) 407 HP...

[delvek]

Thanks for the update, don't worry the poor bastards in August will be stuck with the same crappy 407 too, lol (in my opinion).

If this engine is available in the 550 why buy the 650?

[FlobeySolo]

Originally Posted by delvek

Thanks for the update, don't worry the poor bastards in August will be stuck with the same crappy 407 too, lol (in my opinion).

If this engine is available in the 550 why buy the 650?

Had the same thought...but as another poster put it there's no sense speculating and worrying about it.

[E90Fleet]

Originally Posted by delvek

If this engine is available in the 550 why buy the 650?

550i should change to it just after the 750i LCI becomes available with the new enine

Other sources say the new parts from February are to standardize them with the N63tu but wont result in a performance increase because the head is not changed yet.