First Drive Review of 2012 BMW 528i with Turbo 4 by Motor Trend

Jason · 11-02-2011, 01:38 PM

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First Drive Review of 2012 BMW 528i by Motor Trend

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Motor Trend has driven the latest 528i with a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder (N20) engine instead of the traditional six-cylinder engine. What's their take?

In sum: It offers more power, performance, and fuel economy from a smaller, more efficient, albeit more expensive, package.

MT also offered the following points:

Quote:

The new 528i's turbo-four produces the same horsepower as the old free-breathing six, but 1500 RPM sooner. More importantly, it produces 30 more lb-ft of torque that comes on 1500 RPM lower, down to 1200 RPM according to BMW. The company even claims the new four-cylinder will beat the old six to 60 mph by a not-insignificant 0.4 second.

The clincher is that the new engine returns 23 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, 1 mpg more city and 2 mpg more highway than the outgoing car.

Quote:

With 30 more lb-ft of torque arriving much earlier in the power band, the new four-cylinder feels surprisingly strong off the line and delivers smooth, linear power as revs climb. Compared to the naturally aspirated six-cylinder, the new four feels more torque-y and responsive at low revs, but the six shines at high RPMs. Here the four's lower horsepower peak makes itself known as power falls off at high RPM where the six would scream until redline. We loved BMW's high-revving six for its top-end thrills, but the sad fact is that virtually no one buying a 528i drove or will drive it that way, and the difference is lost on them. For the average buyer, the new four will do exactly what it's supposed to.

Quote:

As you'd expect, the new 528i drives like old 528i and the more-powerful 535i otherwise. It provides a firm but smooth ride and nicely isolates the occupants from wind, road, and tire noise. Throw it at a few curves and it handles its size nicely, gripping evenly and controlling body motion well. It's certainly no M5, but the turbo-four's low-end torque allows it to pull out of a corner with a bit of authority when the need arises.

Also see these first drive reviews of the N20 powered 528i:

Automobile Review
Insideline Review

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M-Power111 · 11-02-2011, 04:06 PM

very nice, they seem to be onboard with the turbo 4. good point about the average 528i driver not noticing the high rev loss on this model. if the driver would be concerned with it then get a 535i or the M5. another good review for the F10.

E92LNGCGY · 11-02-2011, 04:18 PM

Sounds great. Good review.
Had a chance to drive the turbo 4 on a X1. Very smooth and doesn't feel at all like a 4 banger until you rev it.

paul386 · 11-02-2011, 04:25 PM

$2100 more? How did they justify that!?!?

M-Power111 · 11-02-2011, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul386

$2100 more? How did they justify that!?!?

inflation?

swifty · 11-02-2011, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-Power111

very nice, they seem to be onboard with the turbo 4. good point about the average 528i driver not noticing the high rev loss on this model. if the driver would be concerned with it then get a 535i or the M5. another good review for the F10.

The 535i won't address the high rev loss either. The M5 on the other hand ...

paul386 · 11-02-2011, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M-Power111

inflation?

That's nearly a 5% increase... you think they could justify that if they threw in a few features at the base package... but $2100 for a engine changes that was probably done to save BMW money... doesn't seem to be value.

Blindside_137 · 11-02-2011, 04:39 PM

I love how they toss the "it's certainly no M5..." in there

I think that that's a given

kaishang · 11-02-2011, 04:53 PM

Large, expensive, family car + 4-cylinder. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt.

DDS2015 · 11-02-2011, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paul386

$2100 more? How did they justify that!?!?

I'd guess more standard equipment. I'd say a majority of 528 owners have the vehicle because it's a company lease. I'd also venture to guess that the average 528 owner won't care that the engine has been downgraded from a 6 to a 4 cylinder, especially not if it gets better milage.

Q4P · 11-02-2011, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaishang

Large, expensive, family car + 4-cylinder. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt.

+1, it just doesn't seem right. A 50K+ luxo car with a 4 banger, sorry I won't buy. In a 328i / Z4 sure but this car no way in hell.

BMW BRAD · 11-02-2011, 05:29 PM

I think the reason for going to 4 cylinders is because of the mandated fuel mileage standards. I think BMW wants to be one of the first to achieve high fuel mileage on its luxury cars. Admirable, yes, but I dont think I would buy the four cylinder myself. Just my .02

BD997 · 11-02-2011, 05:43 PM

Any significant changes on 550??

mundo74 · 11-02-2011, 06:19 PM

A 5 series buyer will not know what he is looking at if he manages to find the hood release. This only matters to us on the forums. They will swear to coworkers that they have a v6

HP Autowerks · 11-02-2011, 06:20 PM

HPA can use a parts chaser such as the new 528i

Diver · 11-02-2011, 06:27 PM

IMO, the US market will have resistance to a 4 pot in the 5 and Z4. At least there are alternatives in the engine department.

Zebra99 · 11-02-2011, 07:03 PM

4 banger more money = epic fail

I'm going to agree that this combo is complete bs, but hey they are marketing for the greater population and not us thrill seekers.

The worst part is its the customer's fault. No one complains about more $$$ for less product; so that's what you get.

My 2cents.

Cuz5150 · 11-02-2011, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mundo74

A 5 series buyer will not know what he is looking at if he manages to find the hood release. This only matters to us on the forums. They will swear to coworkers that they have a v6

^^^this^^^
So true,

phish_100 · 11-02-2011, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blindside_137

I love how they toss the "it's certainly no M5..." in there

I think that that's a given

:-)

sieben1973 · 11-02-2011, 08:12 PM

We loved BMW's high-revving six for its top-end thrills, but the sad fact is that virtually no one buying a 528i drove or will drive it that way

I driver it like that EVERY DAY MT

sieben1973 · 11-02-2011, 08:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDS2015

I'd guess more standard equipment. I'd say a majority of 528 owners have the vehicle because it's a company lease. I'd also venture to guess that the average 528 owner won't care that the engine has been downgraded from a 6 to a 4 cylinder, especially not if it gets better milage.

who are you calling average
Sorry

jrsierrah · 11-02-2011, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebra99

4 banger more money = epic fail

I'm going to agree that this combo is complete bs, but hey they are marketing for the greater population and not us thrill seekers.

The worst part is its the customer's fault. No one complains about more $$$ for less product; so that's what you get.

My 2cents.

I agree with you in the price but I dont mind if its a 4 cylinder engine as long as I beat the six!

11-02-2011, 04:06 PM	#2
M-Power111 First Lieutenant Drives: Not a BMW....yet Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Clearwater, FL USA Posts: 398 iTrader: (0)	very nice, they seem to be onboard with the turbo 4. good point about the average 528i driver not noticing the high rev loss on this model. if the driver would be concerned with it then get a 535i or the M5. another good review for the F10. __________________ BMW=

11-02-2011, 04:18 PM	#3
E92LNGCGY Captain Drives: E92/F25 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 676 iTrader: (0)	Sounds great. Good review. Had a chance to drive the turbo 4 on a X1. Very smooth and doesn't feel at all like a 4 banger until you rev it. __________________ Looking to buy or sell property in Alberta? Drop me a line to see what I can do for you. Urban Realty - Leslie Ng - 403-807-6248 or leslieng168@gmail.com

11-02-2011, 05:43 PM	#13
BD997 Private First Class Drives: 2011 Alpine White 550i M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 188 iTrader: (0)	Any significant changes on 550?? __________________ 2011 550xi M-Sport (Alpine White)

11-02-2011, 06:19 PM	#14
mundo74 First Lieutenant Drives: 08' E90 335 Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: P.Pines, FL Posts: 383 iTrader: (2)	A 5 series buyer will not know what he is looking at if he manages to find the hood release. This only matters to us on the forums. They will swear to coworkers that they have a v6 __________________ Black lines\|M shifter\|p3 vent gauge\|BMW PE\|Cobb AP\|Mtech LED DRL\|Wagner FMIC

11-02-2011, 06:27 PM	#16
Diver Colonel Drives: Black '12 135i DCT PPK Msport Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Texas Posts: 2,030 iTrader: (0)	IMO, the US market will have resistance to a 4 pot in the 5 and Z4. At least there are alternatives in the engine department. __________________ See my photography at http://ronscubadiver.wordpress.com

11-02-2011, 04:25 PM	#4
paul386 Second Lieutenant Drives: 2011 X3 35i Jet Black Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 268 iTrader: (0)	$2100 more? How did they justify that!?!?

11-02-2011, 04:39 PM	#8
Blindside_137 Brigadier General Drives: '09 E93 Space Gray 328 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 3,007 iTrader: (1)	I love how they toss the "it's certainly no M5..." in there I think that that's a given

11-02-2011, 04:53 PM	#9
kaishang Colonel Drives: 2010 E90 330d Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: London Posts: 2,172 iTrader: (0)	Large, expensive, family car + 4-cylinder. Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt.

11-02-2011, 05:29 PM	#12
BMW BRAD Major Drives: Modded BMW's Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Chino Hills Ca. Posts: 1,121 iTrader: (10)	I think the reason for going to 4 cylinders is because of the mandated fuel mileage standards. I think BMW wants to be one of the first to achieve high fuel mileage on its luxury cars. Admirable, yes, but I dont think I would buy the four cylinder myself. Just my .02

11-02-2011, 06:20 PM	#15
HP Autowerks Lieutenant General Drives: 2011 135i DCT & 2011 1M Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Santa Barbara, AST, Brembo, Eibach, H&R, GIAC, Koni, Quaife, Stoptech, Vorshlag, Posts: 10,052 iTrader: (26)	HPA can use a parts chaser such as the new 528i

11-02-2011, 07:03 PM	#17
Zebra99 Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 2008 335i E93 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Ontario Posts: 1,996 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i E93 [5.00]	4 banger more money = epic fail I'm going to agree that this combo is complete bs, but hey they are marketing for the greater population and not us thrill seekers. The worst part is its the customer's fault. No one complains about more $$$ for less product; so that's what you get. My 2cents.

11-02-2011, 08:12 PM	#20
sieben1973 Private First Class Drives: 2011 "dark grey" 528i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: HWY 403 Posts: 123 iTrader: (0)	We loved BMW's high-revving six for its top-end thrills, but the sad fact is that virtually no one buying a 528i drove or will drive it that way I driver it like that EVERY DAY MT __________________ One you lock the target Two you break the man Three you slowly spread the net And Four you catch the man

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