[Jonathan1822]

3 Series LCI Diesel Engines

Based on BMW press release from 14/01/2015 detailing the new 2 series car and engine updates for the 316d, 418d 420d it is assessed that the new 3 Series LCI will come with the new B47 diesel engine to continue the trend of updates and bring it up to date with the new VW Passat and Mercedes Benz C Series diesel engines.

3 Series 316d @ 116hp

As the new B47@116hp variant of the 318d was initially announced in January, with further details available in a press release on 10/02/2015 detailing availability in March 2015 it is strongly assessed that this engine will continue into the 3 Series LCI.

Whilst no announcements have been made surrounding further 3 Series B47 engines based on current data for the LCI 1 Series, 2 Series, 4 Series and 5 Series it is highly likely that the LCI will have the new B47 engines in the 318d and 320d. Based on figures between old 2/5 series N47 vehicles and the new B47 engines the following performance can be estimated

318d N47 @ 143hp | 0-100km/h 9.2 sec | 123 CO2 | 60.1 mpg
318d B47 @ 150hp | 0-100km/h 8.8 sec | 110 CO2 | 70+mpg
320d N47 @ 184hp | 0-100km/h 7.6 sec | 124 CO2 | 60.1 mpg
320d B47 @ 190hp | 0-100km/h 7.2 sec | 112 CO2 | 70 mpg

It is not clear that the 325d LCI will receive the B47 engine based on the fact that there appears to be a staged approach with the x25d B47 updates with only the most recent 125d @ 224 hp receiving the B47 and other vehicles (225d, 425d and 525d) all maintaining the N47 @ 218 hp for the moment despite 420d and 520d updates to the B47.

Based on the limited details from the 125d the below is suggested likely performance figures for the B47 325d;

325d N47 @ 218 hp | 0-100km/h 6.7 sec | 127 CO2 | 58.9 mpg
325d B47 @ 224 hp | 0-100km/h 6.5 sec | 117 CO2 | 69 mpg

At the moment it is not possible to assess accurately any details surrounding the 330d B57 and 335d B57 (if they are indeed 330d and 335d) as there is no current use of the B57 engine. Base on speculation and existing trend of updates it is likely that the B57 will appear in the new 7 Series first or be part of a subsequent update to the 3 Series following initial LCI.

Couple of questions/points;

Why have BMW released the 316d outside the LCI process? Is there a priority requirement to compete with other low CO2/high mpg rivals?

Are we likely to get a further staged approach before LCI of the 318d and 320d similar to the 4 series or hold for the LCI?

Thoughts on the potential 325d LCI B47, this would seem probable based on 1 series.

Likelihood of a 330d B57 at the point of LCI appears to be slim at the moment.

Working on the ‘summer 2015’ premise what, based on previous trends, is likely to be the announcements/production schedule? June announcement, July order, August deliver? The pattern would generally suggest a month gap from initial announcement to further details/order.

[Nick the Greek]

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.......


And the petrols?

[RalphyBMW]

I'd not heard anything about new 6-cyl diesels, just the 4 pots.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by RalphyBMW

I'd not heard anything about new 6-cyl diesels, just the 4 pots.

The press release may be more american orientated.

[Nick the Greek]

Originally Posted by Brigand

The press release may be more american orientated.

Diesels?

[isurujosh]

Judging by the power rating of the B47 in 2016 X1 25d it sounds like Bmw is afraid to install the B47 in full 25d guise in the F30 LCI now it self because it could put the existing(unrevised) 30d engine uncompetitive. We may see the B47 in full 25d guise in 3 Series around the same time 6 cylinder Diesels get updated.

[....,,,,..,,..]

Originally Posted by isurujosh

Judging by the power rating of the B47 in 2016 X1 25d it sounds like Bmw is afraid to install the B47 in full 25d guise in the F30 LCI now it self because it could put the existing(unrevised) 30d engine uncompetitive. We may see the B47 in full 25d guise in 3 Series around the same time 6 cylinder Diesels get updated.

It's a 4 pot tractor engine.

BMW would be better of culling the noisey things.

[Archer-s]

Maybe BMW will move back to a 6 pot 325d? And reserve the 25d 4 pot for smaller models where engine bay space is a premium?

[Apl440i or 335d?]

Originally Posted by isurujosh

Judging by the power rating of the B47 in 2016 X1 25d it sounds like Bmw is afraid to install the B47 in full 25d guise in the F30 LCI now it self because it could put the existing(unrevised) 30d engine uncompetitive. We may see the B47 in full 25d guise in 3 Series around the same time 6 cylinder Diesels get updated.

Given the 30d seems to produce far more than the claimed bhp, I find this unlikely.

I would suggest it is not in the lci because so few people bought on in the pre lci.

[Tengocity]

Originally Posted by Apl000?

Given the 30d seems to produce far more than the claimed bhp, I find this unlikely.

I would suggest it is not in the lci because so few people bought on in the pre lci.

By competitive I think he means on CO2 rather than power. I think he is right as the new A4 3.0 TDI is under 120g/km.
Boring for the private buyer but crucial for company car users.

[jhnmdahl]

I'd love to have any 6-cylinder or manual transmission option in the States for a 3 series diesel, but we only get the smaller 184hp 4 cylinder and no manual (at least for the time being). I'd probably even take the 224 hp four cylinder diesel with a manual and be pretty happy.

Hopefully a handful of these make it across the ocean next year...