Differences between the German E90 and the US version?

thebigman · 10-02-2005, 04:48 AM

Another diesel convert!

I've just had my 320d chipped and it's pumping out more torque than the new M5

The difference in steering feel is most likely down to the tyre size, the 16" cars are sharper to drive than fatter 17" & 18" shod E90s I have driven.

Diesel power!

E90Fleet · 10-02-2005, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebigman

Another diesel convert!

I've just had my 320d chipped and it's pumping out more torque than the new M5

The difference in steering feel is most likely down to the tyre size, the 16" cars are sharper to drive than fatter 17" & 18" shod E90s I have driven.

Diesel power!

You saying you went from 340Nm to over 520Nm ? a over 53% increase

Please tell us whos kit it is, since I havent see anybody claim to et over 400Nm out of the engine. Did they also replace the driveshafts to handle that kind of torque ?

kchika · 10-02-2005, 06:14 AM

1) US 325i's have black matt window trim and grill wheras in the Europe they have chrome on all 6-cylinder models.

2) US 325's have a 3.0-litre engine whereas in the Europe they have a 2.5.

Hope this helps.

JamieA · 10-02-2005, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David325Australia

the australian government recently legislated for better quality (low sulphur) diesel fuel, such that bmw australia can finally offer diesel powered cars now, like the 530d and x5d. no word on 320d but we have 320i anyway.

never bothered MB as they have brought in diesel cars here for years.

The MB diesels are old tech, while the ones used by BMW are class leading technology with different injection systems requiring fuel of a higher quality.

Audi of course have excellent diesel technology and have only recently started introducing them here in Oz since the start of the process of cleaning up our diesel. I think BMW Oz watched the adoption rate by Audi/VW customers before making their own business case.

You would have to admit that the high torque of the Audi/VW 2.0tdi used in the Golf and the A3 helped create the renewed market here, something that is only being hastened by the increase in fuel costs.

JamieA · 10-02-2005, 06:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kchika

1) US 325i's have black matt window trim and grill wheras in the Europe they have chrome on all 6-cylinder models.

2) US 325's have a 3.0-litre engine whereas in the Europe they have a 2.5.

Hope this helps.

In non Northern America markets, the 325i is considered entry to the premium segment of the 3 series, thus the higher levels of jewelery and other internal trinkets.

I think the new global reality is for cars to have a chamelion like capability through the modular nature of trim and feature installation, to assimilate into each market, making direct comparisons of model for model across different markets to be problematic.

JBOO · 10-02-2005, 08:14 AM

I'm not talking about active steering, although the servotronic is part of that package. At least in Germany and Holland, servotronic was an option in the E60. I know, because I have it on mine. Cars without it had much stiffer steering.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillDork

Servotronic? Thats a Mercedes term... You sure mean adaptive steering? Available on E90 as well.

Robert A · 10-02-2005, 01:57 PM

Whatever it costs, you'll have an orphan car with minimal dealer support, no factory warranty, no engine-related parts, and now way to resell it later on.

In the U.S., you just have to suck it up and accept whatever BMW feeds us.

Quote:

Originally Posted by harperb

Blast! Okay...that's it. I'm just going to look into importing a 320d from Europe. Is that remotely possible, and if so how much does it cost to do so?

Robert A · 10-02-2005, 02:00 PM

It's actually a BMW term too. Servotronic is now standard on the E60s and varies the steering boost with vehicle speed. It has no effect on steering ratio as does Active Steering.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KillDork

Servotronic? Thats a Mercedes term... You sure mean adaptive steering? Available on E90 as well.

Tierfreund · 10-02-2005, 03:28 PM

The heavier engine of the 320d might have changed the steering feel. I´m not suire, but it could be that the 4-bander diesel is actually heavier than the 6-banger gas engnine.

But more weight on the steering makes it heavier not necessarily better. And it worsens the handling overall on a RWD car (more understeer).

So different, sure. All variants of the E90 feel slightly different (330 to 325, sports to non sports, even a different steering wheel will give a different steering feel. Change the tires and the steering will feel different).

But I´d firmly argue against an Euro spec 320d having a basically better setup than an US spec 330. The first culprit would be the US spec tires which often are quite different from Euro spec.

webcoll · 10-02-2005, 05:17 PM

Bigman,

Where did you get it chipped and how much? I've had my 320d SE for two weeks now and am looking to do the same.

I'd welcome a recommendation!

10-02-2005, 04:48 AM	#23
thebigman Private First Class 5 Rep 126 Posts Drives: E90 320d SE Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	Another diesel convert! I've just had my 320d chipped and it's pumping out more torque than the new M5 The difference in steering feel is most likely down to the tyre size, the 16" cars are sharper to drive than fatter 17" & 18" shod E90s I have driven. Diesel power!
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10-02-2005, 06:14 AM	#25
kchika Lieutenant 55 Rep 532 Posts Drives: E36 M3 Evo, E46 M3 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Hong Kong iTrader: (0)	1) US 325i's have black matt window trim and grill wheras in the Europe they have chrome on all 6-cylinder models. 2) US 325's have a 3.0-litre engine whereas in the Europe they have a 2.5. Hope this helps.
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10-02-2005, 03:28 PM	#31
Tierfreund Major 21 Rep 1,002 Posts Drives: E90 330i Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	The heavier engine of the 320d might have changed the steering feel. I´m not suire, but it could be that the 4-bander diesel is actually heavier than the 6-banger gas engnine. But more weight on the steering makes it heavier not necessarily better. And it worsens the handling overall on a RWD car (more understeer). So different, sure. All variants of the E90 feel slightly different (330 to 325, sports to non sports, even a different steering wheel will give a different steering feel. Change the tires and the steering will feel different). But I´d firmly argue against an Euro spec 320d having a basically better setup than an US spec 330. The first culprit would be the US spec tires which often are quite different from Euro spec. __________________ No, not THAT kind of tierfreund!
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10-02-2005, 05:17 PM	#32
webcoll Enlisted Member 5 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 320d SE Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Bigman, Where did you get it chipped and how much? I've had my 320d SE for two weeks now and am looking to do the same. I'd welcome a recommendation!
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