BMW horsepower measurement

bruinbear · 07-16-2006, 04:24 PM

I test drove a 325i this morning and the sales associate said that BMW measures their horsepower by the output from the wheels and not the output from the engine. Is this true or is he trying to pull my leg?

This is my first post and I don't know if this has been answered or is common knowledge, so bear with me please.

By the way the 325i is one nice car!

shimshimhada · 07-16-2006, 04:29 PM

Your SA is ignorant or a liar; he's completely pulling your leg. BMW lists their HP ratings as BHP, from the crank, not the wheels.

whippersnapper · 07-16-2006, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruinbear

I test drove a 325i this morning and the sales associate said that BMW measures their horsepower by the output from the wheels and not the output from the engine. Is this true or is he trying to pull my leg?

This is my first post and I don't know if this has been answered or is common knowledge, so bear with me please.

By the way the 325i is one nice car!

Good one!

canucklion · 07-16-2006, 07:11 PM

I think he is a ignorant liar

Quote:

Originally Posted by shimshimhada

Your SA is ignorant or a liar; he's completely pulling your leg. BMW lists their HP ratings as BHP, from the crank, not the wheels.

NFS · 07-17-2006, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruinbear

I test drove a 325i this morning and the sales associate said that BMW measures their horsepower by the output from the wheels and not the output from the engine. Is this true or is he trying to pull my leg?

This is my first post and I don't know if this has been answered or is common knowledge, so bear with me please.

By the way the 325i is one nice car!

He's talking tosh -

Brake horsepower (bhp) is the measure of an engine's horsepower without the loss in power caused by the gearbox, generator, differential, water pump and other auxiliaries. The actual horsepower delivered to the driving wheels is less. An engine would have to be retested to obtain a rating in another system.

BMW don't have BHP on their UK site - just HP - as they are German - I think it's probably measured as HP (DIN).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsepower

Either way - no manufacturer is going to publish HP at the wheels when everyone else is doing so on a different basis.

In the end though - peak HP is a pretty useless measurement anyway - torque curves are a much more helpful illustration of an engines potential.

ksfrogman · 07-17-2006, 09:34 AM

People, especially car sales people, think they can b.s. to impress, but their lies and ignorance never stand the test of time.

Tony · 07-17-2006, 10:02 AM

Typical Dealer B.S.

Dealer Rule #1. If they do not know the answer to a question, just make something up. Chances are, the buyer will not know what you are talking about anyway.

I've yet to meet a dealer that knew more about cars than I do. They are "Car Salesmen" not "car enthusiasts". never rely on dealer for car information other than price.

whippersnapper · 07-17-2006, 10:15 AM

I thought BHP didn't refer to where it measured (i.e crank, wheels etc..) The actual original measurement is probably in kW or PS, this being the european standard. From memory 1PS = 0.985 bhp

Sedan_Clan · 07-17-2006, 10:25 AM

Couldn't we all agree that somebody who is ignorant of the facts isn't intentionally lying????

KennyVendetta · 07-17-2006, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bruinbear

I test drove a 325i this morning and the sales associate said that BMW measures their horsepower by the output from the wheels and not the output from the engine. Is this true or is he trying to pull my leg?

This is my first post and I don't know if this has been answered or is common knowledge, so bear with me please.

By the way the 325i is one nice car!

We are bearing with you Bruinbear....lol.

Do not purchase the 325...wait for the 328 in 2 months.

NFS · 07-17-2006, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whippersnapper

I thought BHP didn't refer to where it measured (i.e crank, wheels etc..) The actual original measurement is probably in kW or PS, this being the european standard. From memory 1PS = 0.985 bhp

Nope BHP is specifically measured with the engine NOT under load - ie ignores water pump, gear box, crankshaft, alternator etc...

whippersnapper · 07-17-2006, 11:36 AM

you learn something everyday. Thanks

Asiann · 07-17-2006, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KennyVendetta

We are bearing with you Bruinbear....lol.

Do not purchase the 325...wait for the 328 in 2 months.

Now if he wants to save some money and try to catch a better deal go with the 325.

07-16-2006, 04:24 PM	#1
bruinbear New Member 1 Rep 28 Posts Drives: Jet Black 325i Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: West Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	BMW horsepower measurement I test drove a 325i this morning and the sales associate said that BMW measures their horsepower by the output from the wheels and not the output from the engine. Is this true or is he trying to pull my leg? This is my first post and I don't know if this has been answered or is common knowledge, so bear with me please. By the way the 325i is one nice car!
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07-16-2006, 04:29 PM	#2
shimshimhada Brigadier General 442 Rep 4,838 Posts Drives: Portal Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Portal iTrader: (2)	Your SA is ignorant or a liar; he's completely pulling your leg. BMW lists their HP ratings as BHP, from the crank, not the wheels.
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07-17-2006, 09:34 AM	#6
ksfrogman Major General 576 Rep 6,750 Posts Drives: E90 330i 6MT Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Torrance, CA iTrader: (12) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00] 2006 330i [0.00]	People, especially car sales people, think they can b.s. to impress, but their lies and ignorance never stand the test of time. __________________
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07-17-2006, 10:02 AM	#7
Tony Second Lieutenant 49 Rep 286 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Rockland County iTrader: (0)	Typical Dealer B.S. Dealer Rule #1. If they do not know the answer to a question, just make something up. Chances are, the buyer will not know what you are talking about anyway. I've yet to meet a dealer that knew more about cars than I do. They are "Car Salesmen" not "car enthusiasts". never rely on dealer for car information other than price.
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07-17-2006, 10:15 AM	#8
whippersnapper Captain 23 Rep 972 Posts Drives: people mad Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00] 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	I thought BHP didn't refer to where it measured (i.e crank, wheels etc..) The actual original measurement is probably in kW or PS, this being the european standard. From memory 1PS = 0.985 bhp __________________ __________________________________________________ __________________ 2006 BMW 325i, Jet Black, 6MT, ZSP, Black Leather, Aluminum, Power Seats, Logic 7
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07-17-2006, 10:25 AM	#9
Sedan_Clan Law Enforcer 25117 Rep 22,290 Posts Drives: '22 Chalk Gray Porsche C2S Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ..in your rearview!!! iTrader: (26)	Couldn't we all agree that somebody who is ignorant of the facts isn't intentionally lying????
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07-17-2006, 11:36 AM	#12
whippersnapper Captain 23 Rep 972 Posts Drives: people mad Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Atlanta iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 BMW 325i [0.00] 2006 BMW 325i [0.00]	you learn something everyday. Thanks __________________ __________________________________________________ __________________ 2006 BMW 325i, Jet Black, 6MT, ZSP, Black Leather, Aluminum, Power Seats, Logic 7
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