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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 BMW 5-Series (F10) Forums General 5-Series Sedan and Wagon (F10 / F11) Forum Watch the 2012 528i Turbo 4 (N20) Take on Its Older 6 Cylinder on the Road and Dyno
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      05-07-2012, 01:42 PM   #89
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Originally Posted by BigKutta View Post
You certainly wont offend me. I maintain, through real life experience and by the way I drive, that the N20 has plenty of acceleration and power on tap for every situation on the road. If someone thinks its lacking power, then they need to get schooled on driving.

Sure, one can always get more power, but justifying it as a "need" instead of a "want" is pure BS imo
Does anyone really need any of the options and features on the 5 series? Do you really need the handling? you really need the luxury? you really need the xenon lights? etc etc.
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      05-07-2012, 02:10 PM   #90
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Originally Posted by BigKutta View Post
You certainly wont offend me. I maintain, through real life experience and by the way I drive, that the N20 has plenty of acceleration and power on tap for every situation on the road. If someone thinks its lacking power, then they need to get schooled on driving.
So on one hand, it's good for the way you drive, but then you follow it up with this gem: "If someone thinks its lacking power, then they need to get schooled on driving."

So if I feel that the 528i lacks power for my wants, I need to get schooled on driving? The implication is that my driving skill is in need of education/correction.

If someone feels that the N20 lacks sufficient power for their tastes, then that's their opinion. I'm not offended either way, but I am put off when someone treats their own opinion as some sort of empirical truth.

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Originally Posted by BigKutta View Post
Sure, one can always get more power, but justifying it as a "need" instead of a "want" is pure BS imo
No one is saying we "need" more power than the N20. We're saying we want it. That's all.
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      05-07-2012, 02:25 PM   #91
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Originally Posted by The X Men View Post
Does anyone really need any of the options and features on the 5 series? Do you really need the handling? you really need the luxury? you really need the xenon lights? etc etc.
Xenons I actually "need". After driving for years with my Xenons in my e46, the only things better are the adaptive Xenons in the F10. I would never own a car without them
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      05-07-2012, 02:38 PM   #92
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bradleyland View Post
So on one hand, it's good for the way you drive, but then you follow it up with this gem: "If someone thinks its lacking power, then they need to get schooled on driving."

So if I feel that the 528i lacks power for my wants, I need to get schooled on driving? The implication is that my driving skill is in need of education/correction.

If someone feels that the N20 lacks sufficient power for their tastes, then that's their opinion. I'm not offended either way, but I am put off when someone treats their own opinion as some sort of empirical truth.



No one is saying we "need" more power than the N20. We're saying we want it. That's all.
Exactly, its about want versus need. My comment is not directed to you or Xmen, but those who like to talk about how one needs the 535 or 550, or that people buy smaller engines because that's all they can "afford". In my opinion, buy what you want and what makes you happy.
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      05-07-2012, 03:03 PM   #93
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Originally Posted by BigKutta View Post
Xenons I actually "need". After driving for years with my Xenons in my e46, the only things better are the adaptive Xenons in the F10. I would never own a car without them
So what how did you get around before xenon lights were available on cars, on a horse? 10 speed bike?
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      05-07-2012, 03:04 PM   #94
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Originally Posted by The X Men View Post
So what how did you get around before xenon lights were available on cars, on a horse? 10 speed bike?
Single speed bike with a light hooked to a dynamo on the rear wheel
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      05-08-2012, 02:02 AM   #95
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bradleyland View Post
So on one hand, it's good for the way you drive, but then you follow it up with this gem: "If someone thinks its lacking power, then they need to get schooled on driving."

So if I feel that the 528i lacks power for my wants, I need to get schooled on driving? The implication is that my driving skill is in need of education/correction.

If someone feels that the N20 lacks sufficient power for their tastes, then that's their opinion. I'm not offended either way, but I am put off when someone treats their own opinion as some sort of empirical truth.
Nobody needs schooling, there's morons on the roads everyday and I have live to accept that fact a long time ago

The thing is, X men is trying to tell us that you need the power if you living in the states and for other place you don't. He (assuming a guy) is trying to convince everyone to think that way, wouldn't you think that's what you are referring to "someone treats their own opinion as some sort of empirical truth"

It was all wants, doesn't have anything to do with needs. He admits that already, there's nothing wrong with having wants.

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Originally Posted by bradleyland View Post

No one is saying we "need" more power than the N20. We're saying we want it. That's all.
The X man admits that already have a beer guys.
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      05-08-2012, 08:07 AM   #96
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Happy to have a beer anytime with anyone. Cheers!
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      05-12-2012, 04:33 PM   #97
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I call BS on the horsepower at the crank figures posted in the video...

First take a closer look at the video at 0:56 and then at 1:00.

You will notice in the upper right hand corner on the dynochart that for the 4 cylinder it clearly says max 192hp and then for the 6 cylinder it says max 181,2hp.

That is a difference of 10,8hp at the wheels.

The 4 cylinder is supposed to be 240hp at the crank and the 6 cylinder 208,4hp. The difference between wheel hp and crank hp on a dyno like this has to be down to drivetrain losses (or down to different parameters put into the dyno for calibration - altering air temperature on "before and after" runs is one known factor that tuners sometime use to "boost" the hp ratings).

So are we to believe that the 4cyl has drivetrain losses of 48hp and the older 6cyl car only looses 27,2hp through the drivetrain???

Wheel hp is the only reliable number on a dyno like this. Crank hp, when calculated from rwhp from a dyno, has to many variables and possibilities for tampering with to be used for reliable comparison. Sometime you might see a tuner claim, let's say a 50hp gain at the crank. But if you compare the dyno sheets you might see that there is only a 20hp difference on rwhp. Just by changing a few parametres on the dyno (like air temp, air pressure etc), the software will adjust it's calculations and the crank hp will be higher (because an engine will have less power in hot conditions and/or high altitude the dyno will calculate crank hp as it will be at sea level and 20deg C - if the dyno operator tells the dyno that it's hot and that we are at a high altitude the dyno will adjust its crank hp calculations).

The 4cyl is still faster but there is probably only around 10hp difference between the two engines in this test.
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      06-07-2012, 01:45 PM   #98
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Quote:
Originally Posted by LiveLarger View Post
What is it you don't understand? It has more power in every measurable way. The weight of the car is irrelevant.
The N20 engine for more economy fuel and ecology standards. The N52 engine for pleasure, very nice sound, dont have turbolags, great acceleration after 4000. maybe a little slow than N20, but much better spirited.
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      06-07-2012, 11:32 PM   #99
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I am currently driving a F10, Jun 2010, 528I (sport gearbox). I took it for maintenance and got a 520I 2012 (sport gearbox) model as courtesy car.

The 4 cylinders 520I is very disappointed and sounds like a diesel taxi cab when it is idle.

Initial acceleration is fine but not in a mid-range i.e. 60 to 120km/h... engine is lazy and even rev to 5000rpm...

No way to compare with my current 528I which delivers relentless acceleration.

Not sure about the 4 cylinders 528I sounds like.
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      06-08-2012, 12:57 AM   #100
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N20 528i is much faster than N20 520i, esp mid & top end. Even in comfort mode with the soft throttle mapping, u can easily spin the wheels on dry roads.
520i only have 184ps & 270Nm, not fair to compare with ur 528i which has 258ps & 310Nm.
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      06-08-2012, 03:36 AM   #101
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Thanks. I should arrange a test of the new N20 528i.
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      06-08-2012, 07:48 AM   #102
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Maxboy2012 View Post
Thanks. I should arrange a test of the new N20 528i.
I would be curious to hear your thoughts on the 6 cyl vs the N20 528. I drove both before buying and thought there was a big difference.
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      06-08-2012, 08:54 AM   #103
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I drove both the 2012 528i and 535i as well and noticed a big difference. In my opinion, the N20 engine fits the new 3 series much better than the 5 series. On a marketing point of view, I think it is smart for BMW to offer a small engine for the 5 series. There is a growing market in the US for cars with an economical engine, it also helps BMW to comply with the upcoming CAFE requirements.
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      02-17-2013, 03:08 PM   #104
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To add some info to the short acceleration video that was at the start of this thread.

Check out these three acceleration videos on Youtube:

528i (N20)


528i (N53 European 3l 6cyl) 258hp


535i


The 528i (N53) and 535i both take around 24,5sec from 0-200km/h.

The 528i N20 (4-cyl) takes around 32,8sec from 0-200km/h.
Around 8sec more than the 6cyl 528i, even though it's just as quick to 100km/h... As you can see the N20 528i starts to struggle (compared to the 6-cyl cars) at higher speeds and looses at lot of time from around 150km/h and upwards.
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      02-18-2013, 08:48 PM   #105
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Nice comparison. I am not surprised.

I had a rental in Vegas a couple of weeks ago. It was a 528 F10 with the turbo. I was skeptical at first as I am used to my 535 with JB4 stage 2. After about 400 miles of driving I have to say I was impressed and the bias against it was gone.
It being a rental, it didn't have the m sport package and comfort seats so the comfort level wasn't the same (non msport steering wheel feels way too thin) but overall I was very impressed.
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      02-19-2013, 01:31 AM   #106
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I just drove the 328i, what a rocket. Wheels spinning up to 50 kmh without problems.

In sweden the price difference between 528 and 535 is 11000$ which is a bit much for 0.6s faster to 100kmh. The there is the sound and refinement difference to consider. But coming from diesel the 528 i really great in that way anyway.
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      02-19-2013, 06:00 PM   #107
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I just dropped off my 528i rental in Vegas. Can you believe in 3 days I managed to put over 300 miles. Every day between meetings we'd just head to the car and go for a drive -- Lake Mead, Hiway 215 and even 15 towards Los Angeles.

The start/stop is quite annoying. I think I could get used to the feature, but the slight shudder when the engine restarts is offputting. I test drove a Porsche Cayenne last year with this feature and I literally could not feel the re-start happening at all.

On the other hand, the ride managed to be controlled and yet silky reminding me more of my former E-class. And the mileage was remarkable -- after all that driving it only took 5.4 gallons.

The 4 cyl seemed to have all the power and more that I needed and other than knowing that upfront it definitely didn't feel like it.
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      02-19-2013, 08:26 PM   #108
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CarFan
I just dropped off my 528i rental in Vegas. Can you believe in 3 days I managed to put over 300 miles. Every day between meetings we'd just head to the car and go for a drive -- Lake Mead, Hiway 215 and even 15 towards Los Angeles.

The start/stop is quite annoying. I think I could get used to the feature, but the slight shudder when the engine restarts is offputting. I test drove a Porsche Cayenne last year with this feature and I literally could not feel the re-start happening at all.

On the other hand, the ride managed to be controlled and yet silky reminding me more of my former E-class. And the mileage was remarkable -- after all that driving it only took 5.4 gallons.

The 4 cyl seemed to have all the power and more that I needed and other than knowing that upfront it definitely didn't feel like it.
Was it black and from Avis? We may have had the same car lol
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      03-08-2013, 11:57 AM   #109
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2 different sales guys at my local BMW dealership have said negative things about the 528. They feel the 4 cylinder engine isn't powerful enough for such a heavy car. I have the 4 cylinder X3 and feel it's plenty powerful, though it's a lighter vehicle and they both said there's a difference. I asked about them knowing of any clients that have buyers remorse and they both said no.

What do you owners of the 2012 or 2013 528's feel about your car? Are you happy with it? Do you feel that it has adequate pick up? Any buyer's remorse?

Looking at purchasing a 5 Series later this year. Would love to save the $5K and have better fuel economy.

Thanks in advance for your comments!
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      03-08-2013, 07:57 PM   #110
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bmwlvr60 View Post
2 different sales guys at my local BMW dealership have said negative things about the 528. They feel the 4 cylinder engine isn't powerful enough for such a heavy car. I have the 4 cylinder X3 and feel it's plenty powerful, though it's a lighter vehicle and they both said there's a difference. I asked about them knowing of any clients that have buyers remorse and they both said no.

What do you owners of the 2012 or 2013 528's feel about your car? Are you happy with it? Do you feel that it has adequate pick up? Any buyer's remorse?

Looking at purchasing a 5 Series later this year. Would love to save the $5K and have better fuel economy.

Thanks in advance for your comments!
I came from an S4 and have absolutely zero buyer’s remorse. Yes, it’s slower than the Audi, but it is more than adequate for my NYC driving. I have no doubt that 535xi will be faster though; after all it’s faster on paper. Now, will you really feel the 0.7sec difference in 0-60 (xDrive) or the difference in gear ratios? These differences are too minute to care for me.

Can you hear the engine? Yes, on a cold start, if you roll the windows down, you will hear the engine. I am not an audiophile so I personally couldn’t care less how a cold v6 sounds compared to a cold v4. Once you roll the windows up, the car is dead quiet (unlike 328 with the same engine).

I read quite a few comments bashing the v4 (not necessarily in this thread), but they all sooner or later just boil down to a one simple conclusion, which is “(…) I have driven a v6+ all my life and I am not willing to spend 60k+ on a four banger”. Point taken, but then it becomes nothing else but just a personal mental thing (not that there is anything wrong with it).

Large displacement cars are a thing of the past. It’s been like that in Europe forever and yes, they’ve always been true blue blood Germans. Yet, I understand how someone who all his life drove a v8 suburban with a square footage comparable to a “cozy” Manhattan studio may not feel the same mental comfort driving a faster and more economical v4.

Good luck!
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