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Originally Posted by LeMansX5
Have you driven the 2006 530i with the new in-line six engine?
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That new engine 3.0 is going to be one generation old pretty soon. I am interested in a new 530xiT, but I think that the ones built after June 06 may have the latest engine.
Our X5s have the M54 3.0. Fantastic engine, but getting a little dated.
The first E60 5 series had the same M54 engine.
This year the E60s got the new N52 engine, which has Valvetronic. More power (255 vs 225 hp), and 12% better fuel consumption.
Next year (2006) BMW will start using the new N53 engine, which is the N52 plus direct injection. Not sure when it will get to North America, but we should know more in early 2006. Word on the E90 boards is that it will hit there first. The N53 has the same hp, but a further 8% fuel consuomption improvement, meaning 20% better than the M54.
Now the fun starts. BMW is working on an engine for the 335. Could be a 3.5 litre six, or a turbo 3.0. Both are being discussed widely, but BMW isn't saying. Perhaps different by market (NA vs the rest of the world). 35 doesn't have to signify displacement, it could mean virtual displacement, as with the 325 with the 3.0 N52 engine.
So, which engine is likely to make it into the next X5? And will the 5 series get the new engine around the same time as the 3 series?
This is an old document, dated 2003, but it has been right so far. Note that the 3.0 litre engine it shows as the N54 is a 3.0 litre turbo.
http://img248.echo.cx/my.php?image=ng6project29hm.jpg
Isn't speculation fun? Place your bets.
Jeff