TDC or anybody know the weight of the 135i?!!?

[Propagator]

Originally Posted by onehots2k

Thanks SPIN!

I wrote that up in a hurry so now I reallize the logic is kinna crappy, but I hope the main point is clear, and that is to compare BMW quoted weights to other manufacturer's "curb" weight, we have to do some subtractions. :biggrin: (as danp has been saying, of course)

[SCA]

Originally Posted by Advevo

A 330i vs 335i has 55kg weight difference.

How is it possible 130i 3 door hatch vs 135i coupe has 110kg difference.

330i (N52) has a magnesium block and the 335i (N54) has a all aluminum block.

"Surprisingly the engine block of the N54B30 is similar to the older generation BMW M54B30 engine - all aluminum with cast iron cylinder liners. This is due to the fact that the newer N52 aluminum-magnesium engine block was not deemed as suitable for turbo-charging with the above-mentioned engineering goals. As a result, the N54B30 is physically heavier (195kg/429lbs) than the very light (161kg/354lbs) N52 engine. This also explains the fact that the engine block size is identical to the old M54B30 at 2979 ccm/181 in³ instead of the 2996 ccm/182 in³ of the new N52B30 3.0L engine. However, the advantage of the N54B30 engine is that compared to similar power output 225kW/390Nm V8 The 4.0L N62B40 it weighs 70kg less than the V8, which is massive at 265kg/583lbs - and the N54 has even higher low-end torque than this matching V8. For this reason BMW chose to develop bi-turbo inline straight-6 engines for the 3-series instead of using heavier V8 engines - the V8 engine would have made the gross vehicle too heavy. Only the new BMW M3 will have a V8 engine in the BMW 3-series."

[imported_MPower]

Originally Posted by spinzero

OK, it's great that so many people are intersted in this topic, but it seems like the correct information that have been presented too often get lost again after a few posts from new members. (BTW, welcome everyone!)

FACT: 135i weight = EU 3439 lbs

QUESTION: Does this include fuel and the driver?

CONFUSION: Why does UK website uses the term "Unladen (EU)" (much like the term that appears in the US website) to quote basically the same weight as the German website?

ANSWER 1: The german website clearly states that the EU weight includes 90% fuel, 68kg driver, and 7kg luggage. Again, these are the same number as the ones in UK website, and very similar to the ones in US website.

ANSWER 2: Despite the confusing english terminology, "unladen" weight that appears in US website very likely includes 90% fuel, 68KG driver, and 7kg luggage.

If the US website "unladen" weight includes 90 percent fuel, 68kg driver, and 7kg luggage as you claim, then how come when Road and Track lists their curb weight for 335i sedan as 3635 pounds (BMW USA's website lists a 335i automatic at 3605) and the test weight as 3815 pounds? You would think that if the USA site includes all of that extra weight, the R/D test weight wouldnt vary by 200 pounds.

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by MPower

If the US website "unladen" weight includes 90 percent fuel, 68kg driver, and 7kg luggage as you claim, then how come when Road and Track lists their curb weight for 335i sedan as 3635 pounds (BMW USA's website lists a 335i automatic at 3605) and the test weight as 3815 pounds? You would think that if the USA site includes all of that extra weight, the R/D test weight wouldnt vary by 200 pounds.

So M, do you still stand by 3267lb??

EDIT: I'm confusing you with someone else from another forum. Never mind the question.

[eMINI]

Originally Posted by spinzero

I wrote that up in a hurry so now I reallize the logic is kinna crappy, but I hope the main point is clear, and that is to compare BMW quoted weights to other manufacturer's "curb" weight, we have to do some subtractions. :biggrin: (as danp has been saying, of course)

So spin...

How much do we need to subtract from the EU weight or "unladen" weight to compare to curb weight? Also, which manufacturers use curb weight and which ones use unladen weight? Finally, do they do this to intentionally make it confusing?

1560 kg = 3439 lb

3439 - 165 = 3274

Gasoline is about 6 lb/gallon. What's the capacitiy? 15.5 gallons?

15.5 X 90% = 13.95. 14 X 6 = 84.

3274 - 84 = 3190.

TDC, Is this how you got to 3186?

[BForbes]

Originally Posted by eMINI

So spin...

How much do we need to subtract from the EU weight or "unladen" weight to compare to curb weight? Also, which manufacturers use curb weight and which ones use unladen weight? Finally, do they do this to intentionally make it confusing?

1560 kg = 3439 lb

3439 - 165 = 3274

Gasoline is about 6 lb/gallon. What's the capacitiy? 15.5 gallons?

15.5 X 90% = 13.95. 14 X 6 = 84.

3274 - 84 = 3190.

TDC, Is this how you got to 3186?

Honestly, why would BMW include all this shit to make their cars seem soo much heavier than they are? Is it because they know that 90% of there customers dont care about weight? Its so frustrating.

[Propagator]

Originally Posted by eMINI

So spin...

How much do we need to subtract from the EU weight or "unladen" weight to compare to curb weight? Also, which manufacturers use curb weight and which ones use unladen weight? Finally, do they do this to intentionally make it confusing?

I think the standard definition of vehicle weight that most companies use in the US is the "curb" weight. I know all Japanese and American companies use this, I don't know about the crazy germans though. I did some googling, and found the following definition from Code of Federal Regulation Title 40 Part 86.

Curb weight means the actual or the manufacturer's estimated weight of the vehicle in operational status with all standard equipment, and weight of fuel at nominal tank capacity, and the weight of optional equipment computed in accordance with §86.1832–01

So it does not include the driver or cargo, but it includes a full tank of gas. So subtract 165lbs for the driver and cargo, and add about 10 lbs to top up the gas. Disregarding other possible but probably smaller discrepancies, ~150lbs subtraction would be my first order approximation, AKA the spherical chicken method.

[Wiggum]

Originally Posted by eMINI

So spin...

How much do we need to subtract from the EU weight or "unladen" weight to compare to curb weight? Also, which manufacturers use curb weight and which ones use unladen weight? Finally, do they do this to intentionally make it confusing?

1560 kg = 3439 lb

3439 - 165 = 3274

Gasoline is about 6 lb/gallon. What's the capacitiy? 15.5 gallons?

15.5 X 90% = 13.95. 14 X 6 = 84.

3274 - 84 = 3190.

TDC, Is this how you got to 3186?

After confirming that the weight listed (1560KG) is actually the EU1 WEIGHT, I did the same math. 1560KG includes a full tank of gasoline, luggage, and a driver.

I got the same numbers you did, which I'm hoping is accurate...

[Advevo]

Can someone explain me this


A 630i has a EU weight off 1575 kg
length 482,5 cm
wide 185,5 cm


135i coupe eu weight of 1560 kg
Length 436 cm
Wide 175 cm

[335i=:)]

Okay, I've upped my estimation.

My vote is for 3,350 lbs. as the published official 135i weight.

We should vote.

[atr_hugo]

The over/under for 'unladen' weight is 3441 lbs. Don't ask me why that's a good number. ; -)

[BForbes]

Okay fellas. The latest InsideLine 335i vs G37 article put the curb weight of a 335i coupe 6MT at 3525. It would be say the 1 is 3300ish.

[eMINI]

Originally Posted by Advevo

Can someone explain me this


A 630i has a EU weight off 1575 kg
length 482,5 cm
wide 185,5 cm


135i coupe eu weight of 1560 kg
Length 436 cm
Wide 175 cm

I believe I can explain it. They weighed the 135 coupe with 55 kg of camoflage on it.

1560 - 55 = 1505 kg (3318 lb), Then subtract the 165 lb and we're at 3153... right where we want to be.

OK, OK. Maybe this explanation is a bit of a stretch. But not as much as saying the 630 is only 33 lb heavier than the 135. I mean, come on... BMW is having a little fun with us on the weight here. They did it with the spy photos, why wouldn't they do the same thing with the specs? Really. I think Advevo's been onto this for some time, but these numbers are too ridiculous to ignore.

[Propagator]

Originally Posted by eMINI

OK, OK. Maybe this explanation is a bit of a stretch. But not as much as saying the 630 is only 33 lb heavier than the 135. I mean, come on... BMW is having a little fun with us on the weight here. They did it with the spy photos, why wouldn't they do the same thing with the specs? Really. I think Advevo's been onto this for some time, but these numbers are too ridiculous to ignore.

eMINI, unfortunately a 335i is heavier than a 528i. The 6 seems to be over a hundred lbs lighter than the 5 engine for engine, so the 1 being about hundred lbs less than the 3, I can believe that a 630i would weigh close to a 135i.

I think we need to face the reality that the twin turbo engine, with (presumably) all the upgraded driveline components to handle that torque, weighs in significantly more than a N52 or N53.

Also, the 1 is mechanically very similar to the 3, and while it is smaller, it does not employ many of the weight saving techniques that are in the 3 for cost reasons.

Again, I think we need to subtract about 150lbs from the unladen figures to make fair comparisons to competitors that use curb weight. (On this note I think we should be careful with magazines' using the term "curb weight" on BMWs. They seem to quote the unladen weight from the spec sheet and just call it curb weight, in case we are not confused enough.) After the subtraction, the 1 still turns out to be on the lighter side. What I am more concerned about now is the advantage of the 1 over the 3.

[mikeo]

In looking at the abreviated specs in the 6/30 BMWNA press release I wonder if the 6-pot front brakes are heavier than a 130i and the new-gen, low-friction diff may not be low-weight (although it needs less fluid). Just trying to piece together this puzzle.

[eMINI]

Originally Posted by spinzero

eMINI, unfortunately a 335i is heavier than a 528i. The 6 seems to be over a hundred lbs lighter than the 5 engine for engine, so the 1 being about hundred lbs less than the 3, I can believe that a 630i would weigh close to a 135i.

I think we need to face the reality that the twin turbo engine, with (presumably) all the upgraded driveline components to handle that torque, weighs in significantly more than a N52 or N53.

Also, the 1 is mechanically very similar to the 3, and while it is smaller, it does not employ many of the weight saving techniques that are in the 3 for cost reasons.

Again, I think we need to subtract about 150lbs from the unladen figures to make fair comparisons to competitors that use curb weight. (On this note I think we should be careful with magazines' using the term "curb weight" on BMWs. They seem to quote the unladen weight from the spec sheet and just call it curb weight, in case we are not confused enough.) After the subtraction, the 1 still turns out to be on the lighter side. What I am more concerned about now is the advantage of the 1 over the 3.

From Bimmerfest:

Originally Posted by chuck92103
Anybody know the curb weight on the 630?
EU weight: 1585kg/3494lbs for the 630i Coupé.
So if we apply the same math as above, the curb weight would be 1500kg/3307lbs

Who'd a thunk it? I just don't want to believe it.:mad: Say it ain't so so.:frown: [I didn't believe it, so I looked it up. Shucks!]


Alright, what if I pass on the moonroof, power seats, premium stereo and nav, then replace the OE wheels and RFT's with forged wheels and non-RFT's... and lose 15 lbs? What other heavy crap could could I jettison?

How much does an '06 Lotus Elise cost now? (Did I say that out loud?)

[mikeo]

No doubt the Elise is the way to go if "smaller, lighter" is the guiding criteria. However, it is just not practical enough nor can I get my old, fat ass in and out of it without major issues. I also would not drive an Elise cross country. but man, could I dominate A-Stock Solo in my SCCA region!

[eMINI]

Originally Posted by mikeo

No doubt the Elise is the way to go if "smaller, lighter" is the guiding criteria. However, it is just not practical enough nor can I get my old, fat ass in and out of it without major issues. I also would not drive an Elise cross country. but man, could I dominate A-Stock Solo in my SCCA region!

Uhhh... smaller, lighter but... not Lotus Elise for me either I guess. My worry is that the 135 is going to be bigger, heavier and possibly less practical than the MINI (rear seat passengers are not a priority for me).

If it's enough fun, I can justify the rest. Please, BMW, make it too fun to pass up. I know you can do it.

[335i=:)]

If you chip it, it will be to much fun.

I promise.