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Parallel imported BMW 320 Coupe

Binxuan

By Binxuan,
in Conti Talk

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Damienic

Damienic

5th Gear

There is always a stigma attached to vehicles that is sold by 'less conventional" route in SG..hence, buyers either will avoid or will press down the price a bit when you want to sell..

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Throttle2

Throttle2

Supersonic

May I ask what is N53 ? Its the detuned 3L version ? Not E92 ? Sorry Im new to Bmw. [:p]

And is it worth it to pay the additional road tax for the minimal performance difference ?

Or are there other differences ?

Bodywise its the same as other E92 except the engine ?

 

 

N53 is the technical code/series to identify the engine

 

E92 is the technical code/series to identify the car model

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Oyama

Oyama

Neutral Newbie
(edited)

Thx for the clarification bro. [thumbsup]

I read up abit on the engines and it became my biggest worry of the deal.

 

Because usual 2.5L 325 have N52 engine, but I THINK this 3L 325 have the newer engine N53. Gotta check with the dealer tmr.

And N53 is not sold in North America and Australia cause their fuel have rich sulphur or something, which is not recommended for the N53.

 

Now the question is whether its suitable to use this N53 in SG ?

Since this 3L 325 is the 1 and only in SG, heard from the dealer.

 

Im not sure if other local BMW models uses this N53 though ?

Anyone knows ? This can really help me solve my worry if I know it is suitable to use in SG.

 

Any input is greatly appreciated guys. [:)]

Edited by Oyama
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inlinesix

inlinesix

Hypersonic

Thx for the clarification bro. [thumbsup]

I read up abit on the engines and it became my biggest worry of the deal.

 

Because usual 2.5L 325 have N52 engine, but I THINK this 3L 325 have the newer engine N53. Gotta check with the dealer tmr.

And N53 is not sold in North America and Australia cause their fuel have rich sulphur or something, which is not recommended for the N53.

 

Now the question is whether its suitable to use this N53 in SG ?

Since this 3L 325 is the 1 and only in SG, heard from the dealer.

 

Im not sure if other local BMW models uses this N53 though ?

Anyone knows ? This can really help me solve my worry if I know it is suitable to use in SG.

 

Any input is greatly appreciated guys. [:)]

I m not sure anybody can answer ur question as i said earlier, N53 is not exported to Asia officially. Mayb u could check wif BMW Asia d ill effect of using local petrol on N53.

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Astrid

Astrid

4th Gear

The best IL-6 2.5/3.0L BMW-made engine is still the M54, in the E46, E83 (1st gen X3) etc.

Better still, are those before (without) Valvetronic.

 

The N52 engines found in the current E60, E90 and X3 are still not thoroughly sorted out, IMHO. Still problematic at times.

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Throttle2

Throttle2

Supersonic

my 5er is on the M54.

 

why in your opinion is it the best?

 

i thought the newer engines have better technology and are overall lighter.

What do you mean by not sorted out.?

 

i'm not a technical person but my next car is likely to be the 630ci (secondhand) which runs on the N52

 

do you have any personal experience in concluding your opinions. i would like to hear

 

 

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W210k

W210k

1st Gear

I agree with Astrid's view.

 

My take on BMW's 'cyclical' engine design philosophy centers on the fact that an all-aluminium engine just will not last and will have problems associated with compression loss etc. Whether or not the later Valvetronic engines are long-term reliable too is questionable. The curren 335i twin-TC engine has no Valvetronic.

 

When BMW went from the all cast-iron M50 engine block to M52 all-aluminium, this was what happened (from Wiki):

 

The world market engine used Nikasil lined aluminium cylinders instead of a cast iron cylinder block, resulting in lighter engines. While, the American market engine retained its cast iron block due to the sulfur content of available fuel.

In markets with low-sulfur fuel this engine was very highly regarded and the M52 was on the Ward's 10 Best Engines list for 1995 through to 1998. However, there was criticism of the M52 engine in some markets, especially the UK, which had high levels of sulfur in the petrol during the late 90's. Sulfur acts as a corrosive agent against Nikasil and led to a lot of the early engines having premature bore-liner wear. Fortunately this problem was solved in post-September 1998 cars with the introduction of steel cylinder liners, with the designation M52 TU-3. However problems still present in these engines so affected cars of this period should be bought with caution unless the service history verifies that work was carried out to rectify the problem. The American market M52 used a cast iron block, and so, was unaffected by this problem.

 

That was when the M54 engine had to be developed, with cast iron cylinder sleeves, to correct the situation.

 

But with N52, BMW went back to attempt using Alusil aluminium cylinder sleeves (again). But they still kept the cast iron cylinder sleeves for their 335i twin-TC engine and the M3's engine definitely kept its full cast iron block.

 

What's even more interesting was when BMW yet again, reverted to cast iron sleeves for the next N54:

 

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Astrid

Astrid

4th Gear

I think w210k has done a lot of the explaining - good one there!

 

So to add on, I'd just ask you to go down to the Performance Centre @ Alexandra and speak with some of the more-experienced SAs or workshop folks.

 

Just ask them:

 

"Which model's engine has got more timing-related problems, even stalling on neutral? The E46 (M54) or E90 (N52)? The current X3 (N52), or the 1st-Gen X3 (M54)? Which engine has vibration issues on early morning starts ..... even intermittent engine stalls and having to re-crank again?"

 

I think the workshop folks' honest inputs to you will be the most convincing.

 

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Throttle2

Throttle2

Supersonic

wah , too technical for me.

 

not bothered whether, it's cast iron, aluminum or magnesium.

as long as it's smooth and problem free giving me the ooomphs and the cruisability as and when i need it.

 

so accordingly, my M54 engine is best lah.

yeah!

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Blackseal

Blackseal

1st Gear

What ???

 

2.0 turbo 4 port dual VVTi direct fuel injection = 220 hp at 5300 rpm & torque at 350 Nm from 2,000>4,000 rpm ?

 

Adaptive forward lightings, adaptive dampening full time, ESP, ABS, TCS, EDB, electronic brakes, [email protected] ?

 

Four doors, big boot, Euro NCAP=5*, Europe Car Award 2009, Retail at $120K.

 

What car ???

 

I think that should be the Opel Insignia !

 

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Qr25vet

Qr25vet

Clutched

okay la in my own experience and point of view...the N-series engines to put it bluntly...is a FAILURE. thats what many of my colleagues agreed...the M54 is still our all time favourite engine.period

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