[BMW M3 CRT]

The german car magazine AUTOBILD wrote in its new issue, that BMW has allready confirmed an 340i with 365PS "to fill the gap between the 306PS 335i and the 431PS M3" is coming with the LCI upgrade in July 2015.

This meen:

• most probably no M340i is coming, because the gap between 340i and M3 seems too smal.
• an Max Output B48 is coming in the new LCi 335i with 306PS

Would be interestung how the new 335i would be priced, because according to AUTOBILD the base price will be nearly the same as for the pre-LCI models.

[F32Fleet]

In the U.S. we will get one or the other but not both (B48 or B58). In the US the bump in price will be about $2-3k.

[BMW M3 CRT]

Originally Posted by Socom

In the U.S. we will get one or the other but not both (B48 or B58). In the US the bump in price will be about $2-3k.

Surely you will get both, the 340i with B58 will come clearly as top model to the U.S., and I am pretty sure, that also an new 335i with B48 will make its way over the ocean, the B48 330i for sure.
There will be no chance of an 335i with an B58 I6 ... so if an new 336i will make its way into the showroom, it will be an B48 I4.

[F32Fleet]

Originally Posted by BMW M3 CRT

Surely you will get both, the 340i with B58 will come clearly as top model to the U.S., and I am pretty sure, that also an new 335i with B48 will make its way over the ocean.

Ya. Apologies. I thought both were 6 cylinders. We'll get both. BMWNA would not surprise me if they were renamed 330 and 340.

[Pauleebe]

I'm skeptical of most of this.

Thrilled to hear that LCI base price will be the same as pre-LCI, although not sure if I believe this, because it seems too good to be true. It's rare for base prices from model year to model year to not change, especially when we are to get better engines and more standard equipment. Only way I could see this happening, is if BMW is feeling hurt from falling off of C&D's top 10 and realizing their declining sales in Q4, however they seem too arrogant to care in this regard.

As for the 320, 328, 335 and 340 - I don't see this happening in the states. Either the 320 gets bumped to 200-220HP, and we get the 330 and 340 this coming year (summer 2015) ... Or we keep the 320 as is, with the 328 and 335 the same for through this year and next, and get the new engines the following year (summer 2016). BMW is much more keen on preventing model fragmentation in the states. The Only thing that DOES make sense, is that the 320, 328, 335 and 340 setup gives us four 3 series models in 60 horsepower increments.

I'd just wish if they DO offer four 3 series models, they rename them. 320, 328, 335 and 340 sounds terrible. Rather have them as 325, 330, 335 and 340, separated by a model number difference of 5, as oppose to being inconsistent with 8/7.5 and 5, but that may just be my OCD. In the process they could bump the 320 and 328 a few HP to justify they rebrand, which would also help drive LCI sales.

Also shocked that the B58 will make 360HP. While it may be capable, it would again be too good to be true. With PPK and aftermarket tuning, the 340 will make close to if not over 400HP. The 335 tuned already cannibalized M3 sales more than BMW may care to admit, but with the 340, there will be almost be no point in buying M3's.

And regarding the B48, why would that be used in the 335? The N55 gets great mileage and power already, and the B48 is an I4. While BMW has proven the power of their turbo'd I4 engines, I think most drivers would be peeved to realize they're getting an I4 instead of I6. I can't envision a scenario where a 300HP I4 is stacked up against a 300HP I6, and the I4 comes out on top. It's different in the situation of the E90 328 vs F30 328, because the F30 328 saw power and torque bumps due to turbos, but that wouldn't be the case for the 335. Furthermore, the B48 squeezes out 230HP in the 2 series AT. I cannot see them squeezing out another 75+ HP. I'm calling BS on this rumor. The B48 will be used for the 330 or lower.

[zamboni]

Don't think BMW would release the next F30 with 360HP that is the M2 power territory and they don't want to go that route.

[Blubaron79]

From previous articles about the new 7 and 6 series the B58 will make between 330-340hp.

360 not happening. (Maybe in PPK form)

[auf Deutsch]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

360 not happening. (Maybe in PPK form)

That's if PPK is even offered for the 340/440i.

[BMW M3 CRT]

For me most sence would make:

• 320i with 192PS (B48)
• 325i with 231PS (B48)
• 330i with 272PS (B48)
• 335i with 306PS (B48)
• 340i with 343PS (B58)
• M340i with 378PS (B58)

... but it seems that AUTOBILD has direct confirmation of an 340i with 365PS from BMW ... that makes an M340i nearly impossible and an 306PS B48 335i nearly an just have because if not the hp gap between 330i and 340i seems too great.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by BMW M3 CRT

For me most sence would make:

• 320i with 192PS (B48)
• 325i with 231PS (B48)
• 330i with 272PS (B48)
• 335i with 306PS (B48)
• 340i with 343PS (B58)
• M340i with 378PS (B58)

... but it seems that AUTOBILD has direct confirmation of an 340i with 365PS from BMW ... that makes an M340i nearly impossible and an 306PS B48 335i nearly an just have because if not the hp gap between 330i and 340i seems too great.

I'm sure only the 320/325, 330, and 340/M340 will be offered in that U.S. No way they are going to offer 6 petrol varieties on top of the d's too...

[BMW M3 CRT]

Here is the article in german:

http://www.autobild.de/artikel/bmw-3...r-5476389.html

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by BMW M3 CRT

For me most sence would make:

• 320i with 192PS (B48)
• 325i with 231PS (B48)
• 330i with 272PS (B48)
• 335i with 306PS (B48)
• 340i with 343PS (B58)
• M340i with 378PS (B58)

... but it seems that AUTOBILD has direct confirmation of an 340i with 365PS from BMW ... that makes an M340i nearly impossible and an 306PS B48 335i nearly an just have because if not the hp gap between 330i and 340i seems too great.

The N20 is too new to axe altogether, and they won't spread the B48 across that many models. It'll be either the 320 or 325, and the 328 or the 330. I guess they could offer the 335 and 340 but that seems ridiculous on top of an M3 model. The N55 is showing it's age, so I'm curious as to if they'd actually keep that around or swap in the B58, but at that point, they might as well not offer the 335 and 340, as people will chip their 335's and then 340's won't sell. That said, the below makes some sense for the states:

4 Models:

* 325i with 235HP (N20) [Makes sense with the E90 325 making 215HP)
* 330i with 270HP (B48) [Makes sense with the E90 330 making 270HP)
* 335i with 305HP (N55) [Stays the same]
* 340i with 340HP (B58)

This introduces a higher range engine to combat Audi and MB higher powered engines, without really shuffling the line up that much otherwise. 320 gets bumped by 55HP and rebadged to the 325, 328 gets bumped by 30HP and rebadged to the 330.

3 Models:

* 320i with 200HP (N20) [Gets a slight bump of 20HP]
* 330i with 270HP (B48) [Makes sense with the E90 330 making 255HP)
* 340i with 340HP (B58)

Has the spread of 70HP in between models, and boosts the engines in the higher range models. 320's seem to be selling just fine, so they would get a modest bump. I think this scenario is most realistic.

[BimmerMat135]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

The N20 is too new to axe altogether, and they won't spread the B48 across that many models. It'll be either the 320 or 325, and the 328 or the 330. I guess they could offer the 335 and 340 but that seems ridiculous on top of an M3 model. The N55 is showing it's age, so I'm curious as to if they'd actually keep that around or swap in the B58, but at that point, they might as well not offer the 335 and 340, as people will chip their 335's and then 340's won't sell. That said, the below makes some sense for the states:

4 Models:

* 325i with 220HP (N20) [Makes sense with the E90 325 making 215HP)
* 330i with 260HP (B48) [Makes sense with the E90 330 making 255HP)
* 335i with 300HP (N55) [Stays the same]
* 340i with 340HP (B58)

This introduces a higher range engine to combat Audi and MB higher powered engines, without really shuffling the line up that much otherwise. 320 gets bumped by 40HP and rebadged to the 325, 328 gets bumped by 20HP and rebadged to the 330.

3 Models:

* 320i with 180HP (N20) [Stays the same]
* 330i with 260HP (B48) [Makes sense with the E90 330 making 255HP)
* 340i with 340HP (B58)

Has the spread of 80HP in between models, and boosts the engines in the higher range models. 320's seem to be selling just fine, so they may not get bumped at all. I think this scenario is most realistic.

The 25i b48 will have 231ps it is a known fact and the 20d has 190ps so I guess the 20i will have the same. Last 30i had 272ps so we might expect more from the new one the gain from the 20d was 6ps the 25i 13ps from the old engine. B48 30i should follow that trend. Seem like the one that will have the most gain should be the 40i (39ps) which seem unlikely when look this way.

[Pauleebe]

Originally Posted by BimmerMat135

The 25i b48 will have 231ps it is a known fact and the 20d has 190ps so I guess the 20i will have the same. Last 30i had 272ps so we might expect more from the new one the gain from the 20d was 6ps the 25i 13ps from the old engine. B48 30i should follow that trend. Seem like the one that will have the most gain should be the 40i (39ps) which seem unlikely when look this way.

There is lots of flexibility with the turbo'd engines. Just because the 225i AT with the B48 has 231PS doesn't mean that's the same output of the B48 in the 3 series.

You are right regarding 330i, I didn't realize they bumped the HP from 255 -> 270 after 2006, so I've updated my post. I'd also expect the same, in that the F30 would have as much power, maybe a little more, but not less than it's predecessors.

I think it's pretty obvious there will definitely be a 330 and 340 with ~270HP and ~330HP respectively, but in the states, the fate of the 320, 328 and 335 and possible reintroduction of the 325 is up in the air. Has a 3 series model ever survived after new engines were introduced?

[ynguldyn]

Yay, more clueless journalism!

Here's what's happening with the European F30 at LCI:

318i: B38B15M0. See the new Cooper for performance specs, though in longitudinal application it'll probably have a couple more hp). Possible engine intro in March, pre-LCI.
320i eff: N13B16M0. Who cares what it is.
320i: B48B20M0. Same as 318i, but Cooper S instead of base Cooper.
328i: old N20, likely for countries, where 330i won't be sold until later (similar to the U.S. situation).
330i: B48B20O0. Unless BMW decides to go public sooner, we'll know its specs when JCW is released early next year.
340i: B58B30M0. Just wait.

316d: B47D20K0. Pre-LCI intro in March possible.
318d: B47D20U0. Whatever.
320d: B47D20O0. The 190hp engine already in use in recent European models. Also as an eff model.
325d: N47D20T1. Will be replaced with B47D20T0 in March 2016.
330d: N57D30O1
335d: N57D30T1

330e: Something something hybrid, delayed intro in November.

Bottom line: LCI 335i WILL NOT EXIST.

[BMW M3 CRT]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

Yay, more clueless journalism!

Here's what's happening with the European F30 at LCI:

318i: B38B15M0. See the new Cooper for performance specs, though in longitudinal application it'll probably have a couple more hp). Possible engine intro in March, pre-LCI.
320i eff: N13B16M0. Who cares what it is.
320i: B48B20M0. Same as 318i, but Cooper S instead of base Cooper.
328i: old N20, likely for countries, where 330i won't be sold until later (similar to the U.S. situation).
330i: B48B20O0. Unless BMW decides to go public sooner, we'll know its specs when JCW is released early next year.
340i: B58B30M0. Just wait.

316d: B47D20K0. Pre-LCI intro in March possible.
318d: B47D20U0. Whatever.
320d: B47D20O0. The 190hp engine already in use in recent European models. Also as an eff model.
325d: N47D20T1. Will be replaced with B47D20T0 in March 2016.
330d: N57D30O1
335d: N57D30T1

330e: Something something hybrid, delayed intro in November.

Bottom line: LCI 335i WILL NOT EXIST.

Nice list, but you forget the 325i, which will come for sure.

An B48 .35i with 306PS is also in the plans, but mostly for the fwd plattforms!

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by BMW M3 CRT

Nice list, but you forget the 325i, which will come for sure.

You misunderstand. I can't "forget". I'm telling you how it actually _is_.

Of course, BMW could decide to build something they would call "325i", but that's not happening next year or 2016.

An B48 .35i with 306PS is also in the plans, but mostly for the fwd plattforms!

Not any time soon.

[BMW M3 CRT]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

You misunderstand. I can't "forget". I'm telling you how it actually _is_.

Of course, BMW could decide to build something they would call "325i", but that's not happening next year or 2016.

Do you really think (know?) that BMW will leave this huge gap between the 192PS 320i and the 272PS 330i without taking the logical solution to fill this gap with an 325i with the same 231PS B48 allready found in the 225i AT ... and you realy think the JCW will get 272 PS and not the much more likely 231HP from the same .25i B48 !?

[ynguldyn]

Originally Posted by BMW M3 CRT

Do you really think (know?) that BMW will leave this huge gap between the 192PS 320i and the 272PS 330i without taking the logical solution to fill this gap with an 325i with the same 231PS B48 allready found in the 225i AT ... and you realy think the JCW will get 272 PS and not the much more likely 231HP from the same .25i B48 !?

Again: I don't have to think here. I tell things how they are.

Yes, there will be a gap between 320i and 330i.

No, JCW won't have 272 PS. Because, first, 330i won't have than much power either, and, second, the same engine has slightly less power when used on UKL compared to the traditional longitudinal platform.

[SickFinga]

272ps is not happening on the F30 330i. The gaps between the 320i-330i-340i will be pretty much even.

[BimmerMat135]

Originally Posted by SickFinga

272ps is not happening on the F30 330i. The gaps between the 320i-330i-340i will be pretty much even.

192ps 320i, 275-280ps 330i 365ps 340i sound pretty even to me.

[MikeTerp]

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

Again: I don't have to think here. I tell things how they are.

Yes, there will be a gap between 320i and 330i.

No, JCW won't have 272 PS. Because, first, 330i won't have than much power either, and, second, the same engine has slightly less power when used on UKL compared to the traditional longitudinal platform.

Do you know why the B48 is being delayed a year for the 330i? Since this engine is available now (Mini, etc) I was guessing that it was some sort of production capacity limitation, or something like that. Otherwise, unless BMW just has a lot of N20's they are trying to use up, it seems strange to delay the new engine.