BMW 316i - giving frugal diesels a run for the money in Austria
BMW is going to start selling the 316i in Austria this month. The vehicle's small engine, mated to the Bavarian marque's "Efficient Dynamics" package, makes the 3-series' entry car a competent performer. The 1.6 liter engine puts out 122 HP while using 5.9 liters of gas per 100 km (that's about 40 mpg U.S.). Regarding CO2 emissions, the car produces 142 g/km. According to the press release, "the BMW 316i scores not only by its low entry price, but above all by moderate maintenance costs." How much? From 26,950 EUR in Austria.
Gallery: BMW 316i
[Source: BMW]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Mattias 1:06PM (3/05/2008)
Is this the new Douvrin engine as found in the Mini and the 207?
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psarhjinian 1:56PM (3/05/2008)
Not that I mind, but this car is going to be very, very slow by North American standards. Again, this is ok, but it's something that needs to be put out there before the Diesel-vs-Hybrid thing starts up.
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darius 3:35PM (3/05/2008)
psarhjinian, perhaps if speed is on my mind, I would choose a deferent option? If I could get one in the US I would strongly consider buying on but I'm not holding my breath... :(
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Throwback 4:20PM (3/05/2008)
No US BMW dealer is clamoring for a 4 cyl 3 series. They certainly don't want a 3 series with the same engine as the Mini Cooper over the wall, in the "other" showroom..
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MikeW 7:38PM (3/05/2008)
I know that BMW USA will NOT put a 4 cylinder engine into the 3 series anytime this generation, purely for marketing & status reasons.
So, what can BMW do in the short term? retrofit direct injection AND valvetronic, probably not.
BMW could shorten the stroke of the N52 3.0 inline6.
85mm bore, 73.4 mm stroke. 2.5 liters
Seems rundant because there is a real 2.5 N52, 82x78.8, currently left in the X3 [not in the US] 214hp, 184ft-lbs.
So this 'sporty' 2.5 [big bore, short stroke] can make more power/torque [220hp, 190ft-lbs] than the current 2.5, and deliver better mileage than the 3.0 stripper engine found in the 328i, 528i.
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MikeW 7:53PM (3/05/2008)
Something like
220hp@6600, 190ft-lbs@3500
and the ZF 8 speed automatic. 3.15 axle ratio perhaps
[typo: redundant]
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Mirko 4:22AM (3/06/2008)
Keep in mind the 316i has exactly the same fuel economy as the 318i (143hp)
It's just there for tax reasons.
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Mirko 4:24AM (3/06/2008)
If you want to save fuel, there is the 318d, which is rated at 4.7 l/100km (50 mpg US)
For a bit more fun, the 320d serves up 177hp, while still being cheaper to buy than any 6-cylinder gasser. Still rated at 4.8 l/100km.
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hans 7:04AM (3/06/2008)
better still the 320d will have 204 hp in the next model year.
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MikeInNC 8:35AM (3/06/2008)
I wonder if they will ever see fit to stick this in the new 1 series for US consumption? It would certainly make my short list if it did.
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