Why does BMW make so many different engines?

[MHN]

I'm shopping around for another BMW and I find it strange that there are so many different engines available with small differences between them

For example, why is there a 328i and a 330i?
or a 323i and a 325i?
or 316i, 318i and 320i?

(This applies to almost all the series)

In each case, if your budget is a bit flexible, its logical to just get the bigger engine, since the fuel consumption and price tends to be very similar

In my case, when I considered getting a 325i E46, many people said why not just get a 330i? Similar thinking may apply to getting 340i over a 335i ?

I'm just curious and mean no offense to those with the smaller engines

 

[VinceM]

Mostly has to do with something called LCI (I think it stands for Life Cycle Improvement)
Basically means that during the lifespan of a vehicle model, which is around 7 years for BMW, they will bring about improvements to keep the model relevant and interesting for buyers.

Example:
So when the E46 3 series was launched, came out with
318i
320i
323i
328i
(Excl diesels)

In 2002 (round about), LCI model was introduced, and it came out with
318i
320i
325i
330i

Why the change ....keep it interesting for us, now you can choose to,either go for the pre LCI 328i which has less power to the LCI 330i.

 

[zippy320]

Dont they sometimes do this when ever the LCI has an engine change with a higher output then the previous engine?

Mostly has to do with something called LCI (I think it stands for Life Cycle Improvement)
Basically means that during the lifespan of a vehicle model, which is around 7 years for BMW, they will bring about improvements to keep the model relevant and interesting for buyers.

Example:
So when the E46 3 series was launched, came out with
318i
320i
323i
328i
(Excl diesels)

In 2002 (round about), LCI model was introduced, and it came out with
318i
320i
325i
330i

Why the change ....keep it interesting for us, now you can choose to,either go for the pre LCI 328i which has less power to the LCI 330i.

 

[Tinuva]

Its not as many different engines as you think. They very similar with small changes.

For example, these are the same engine:
M52 in the 320,323,328
M54 in the 320,325,330
M43 in the 316,318
N42 in the 316,318
N46 in the 318 which was later also in the E90 320

Its usually just to give buyers more choice on the size engine. Just like they get choice with addons, colour of the paint ect.

 

[yush1]

Why is this an issue?

 

[gordanfreeman509]

There are various models designations but not that many different engines. Also other markets get models that we do not get. Like the 316d and 325d. The engines are tuned to meet emissions and slot into the right price point for the country specific market

 

[Jeremy.d]

Mostly has to do with something called LCI (I think it stands for Life Cycle Improvement)
Basically means that during the lifespan of a vehicle model, which is around 7 years for BMW, they will bring about improvements to keep the model relevant and interesting for buyers.

Example:
So when the E46 3 series was launched, came out with
318i
320i
323i
328i
(Excl diesels)

In 2002 (round about), LCI model was introduced, and it came out with
318i
320i
325i
330i

Why the change ....keep it interesting for us, now you can choose to,either go for the pre LCI 328i which has less power to the LCI 330i.

I take your point, but this is not entirely accurate. Pre-LCI 330i does exist.
In the case of the 328i, it was an M52Tu which was replaced by the 330i with an M54.

But yes, engine changes, are usually just refinements to keep the model fresh.

---

Why is this an issue?

I don't think he's complaining.mgwaiting:

 

[Nick]

Its probably a great way for them to do minor "upgrades" to the older car and sell a new version at a premium.

 

[yush1]

Mostly has to do with something called LCI (I think it stands for Life Cycle Improvement)
Basically means that during the lifespan of a vehicle model, which is around 7 years for BMW, they will bring about improvements to keep the model relevant and interesting for buyers.

Example:
So when the E46 3 series was launched, came out with
318i
320i
323i
328i
(Excl diesels)

In 2002 (round about), LCI model was introduced, and it came out with
318i
320i
325i
330i

Why the change ....keep it interesting for us, now you can choose to,either go for the pre LCI 328i which has less power to the LCI 330i.

I take your point, but this is not entirely accurate. Pre-LCI 330i does exist.
In the case of the 328i, it was an M52Tu which was replaced by the 330i with an M54.

But yes, engine changes, are usually just refinements to keep the model fresh.

---

Why is this an issue?

I don't think he's complaining.mgwaiting:

---

Lol, apologies. :smilebounce:

 

[Dirtydeedsman]

Its not as many different engines as you think. They very similar with small changes.

For example, these are the same engine:
M52 in the 320,323,328
M54 in the 320,325,330
M43 in the 316,318
N42 in the 316,318
N46 in the 318 which was later also in the E90 320

Its usually just to give buyers more choice on the size engine. Just like they get choice with addons, colour of the paint ect.

:withStu:

Also BMW is a company that needs to sell cars, It makes it seem new and exciting when you have the same engine as the previous or Pre-LCI but its labeled differently and makes more power.

It makes the owner feel they have also moved "One Up" compared to the peasants in their pre-lci models :fencelook:

 

[MR_Y]

Interesting to note that since the E46, the 320d nameplate has never changed or been bumped up (at least not in SA).

 

[Jeremy.d]

Interesting to note that since the E46, the 320d nameplate has never changed or been bumped up (at least not in SA).

What do you mean? The engine in the 320D has changed a few times across models

 

[GoCart]

A good range of model derivatives allows a car maker to compete across a wide budget range. Model designations do not necessarily represent the number of individual and all out bespoke power plants, as in many cases the only difference between variations are a change in software, and perhaps very minor mechanical change, the core remains the same.

 

[zippy320]

But its not always minor changes , Some cars had complete engine changes like the M43 to the N42 and later the N46 in the E46 , or the N20 in the F30 to the B48 . These new engines really did make a difference to the cars .

Were these not completely new engines or where they updates of the previous engines?

 

[MR_Y]

Interesting to note that since the E46, the 320d nameplate has never changed or been bumped up (at least not in SA).

What do you mean? The engine in the 320D has changed a few times across models

The nameplate "320d", the actual badge, has never changed, like how "328i" changed to "330i".

 

[GoCart]

But its not always minor changes , Some cars had complete engine changes like the M43 to the N42 and later the N46 in the E46 , or the N20 in the F30 to the B48 . These new engines really did make a difference to the cars .

Were these not completely new engines or where they updates of the previous engines?

You are correct bud, looking at engine changes over a number of model updates you will see many changes, this is of course based on advancement in design and efficiencies, and sometimes to replace a problematic unit. One could also then ask the question as to why they change the wheel designs, update materials, introduce different colors.....

 

[MHN]

It looks like with the G20 , there's going to be much fewer models than before

So far with the petrol engines, only a 320i, 330i and 340i is listed

If I were BMW, I'd also just have 2 or 3 models - 1 for people who just want to own a luxury car and don't really worry that much about performance and another for those who want good performance

 

[MHN]

Why is this an issue?

I'm just curious and when I shop around I ignored so many of the models and I wondered how this affect sales for BMW - like why buy a 316 when there is a 318 or 320? Why get a 328 when there is a 330?

I just think that there's too many different models with very small differences between them.
See my previous reply...