BMW 4 cylinder coming back to America!

[tjts1]

Rumormill: BMW considering four-cylinder 3-series for U.S.
Four-cylinder BMWs are commonplace in Europe, but here in the States you can't buy anything Bavarian with less than six pistons. Inside Line is reporting that the German automaker may change that by adding the direct-injected 2.0L four-pot from Europe to the 3-Series. The 170-hp engine powers the 320i and 120i across the pond. The models are well-received there, and for good reason, too. The ultra-efficient powerplant averages over 38 mpg in the European combined test cycle while still providing the razor-sharp handling that is BMW's trademark.

BMW project director Oliver Friedmann said that a four-cylinder petrol Bimmer would have a "desirable effect" here in the U.S., but didn't commit any concrete plans for a U.S. four-banger. He did say that the U.S. probably isn't ready for a diesel four-cylinder, but we beg to differ. Our friends at AutoblogGreen had a blast in the twin-turbo 123d and managed 37 mpg while thoroughly testing the oil-burner's limits. We think the petrol 2.0L would be well received as well. While four-cylinder luxury cars were taboo just a few years ago, high fuel prices have given Americans plenty of motivation to welcome a 2.0L Bimmer with open arms.

http://www.autoblog.com/2008/09/04/rumormill-bmw-considering-four-cylinder-3-series-for-u-s/

[Jimmy Lewis]

Sounds good to me, maybe they will develop the same 2.0L 4 for the 1 series coupe. I think it's silly the new 1 series weighs almost 3400lbs.

[EN318isPDX]

Sounds good to me, maybe they will develop the same 2.0L 4 for the 1 series coupe. I think it's silly the new 1 series weighs almost 3400lbs.

And its getting 38 MPG?!?! Holy shit i want to strip one and get 45 mpg! Take that Hybrid cars!

[tjts1]

And its getting 38 MPG?!?! Holy shit i want to strip one and get 45 mpg! Take that Hybrid cars!

Don't get your panties all in a bunch quite yet. European test cycle is not comparable to EPA test cycle we see on the window sticker here in America. For example the US EPA says the 2008 335i manual does 20mpg combined city highway vs the Europeans who say the same car does 25mpg combined city highway. I saw 22mpg driving one around back in january.

Take the 38mpg and multiply by .8 and you get a much more realistic 30.8mpg combined city highway. Still excellent IMHO. I would take the 320i gasser over the 335d they are bringing here in a couple of months and have $10000 left over for booze and hookers.

[EN318isPDX]

I would take the 320i gasser over the 335d they are bringing here in a couple of months and have $10000 left over for booze and hookers.

Mmmmm booze and hookers... or twin turbos... Hmmmmm

I was really surprised by 38mpg. 30 is more realistic...

[tony92ic]

Put it in the 1 series five door and I am all over it.

[batsbats]

I would love to see a 4cyl 1 series coupe.

[RustyTheDriver]

It's great they're bringin the 4-banger back to the states, but it raises the question if buying a brand new car is worth the savings in gasoline.

is spending $30K worth the maybe $10 you'll save at the pump?

[ose30]

316I, 318I & 320I have all 4 cylinders here in Europe. 318I and 320I are basically same cars, only Motronic program is different. A friend of mine who sells new BMW's said to me just buy a 318I and then just change a 320I program into Motronic... They have done it to several customers.

[318kid]

To bump this....

http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_42/b4104074245498.htm?chan=autos_autos+--+lifestyle+subindex+page_top+stories

I hope it comes, I would be able to buy one, but It would be cool to see. Oh and maybe there might be some mods that come with it? They need to make a modern m42... Oh and this is the BMW that I'd like to have

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/hot_lists/car_shopping/roadster_roundup/2010_bmw_z2_car_news

Except as a coupe...

[vonkamp]

I wish they would bring the 118d touring to the US...

[ponchiz318]

Technically, the "4 potter" is already in America. Due to the fact that my cousin in Mexico has a 120i 3 door hatch back. He drives it through winding mountain roads in Mexico and he loves it. A 135i is straight overkill on those roads. As for having one in the States, hopefully it would be easier to mod out and get a noticeable power gain. Oterwise I guess I would go with the 135i vert.
In reality, I'll wait about 10 years when they are pretty much under 10k.

[kenika65]

I just want someone to wreck one locally so I can buy it at the auction and swap it in to my e30!!!!

[Froos]

Hi guys, i drive a 118D in EU, since i drive 55.000Km/y i choose a diesel. The economy is insane, basically around 50Liters to 920km~1050km, so 5,2L~4.7L per 100 km or 18~20km per liter.
The car has 143hp, which is very easially remapped to 170hp....The emisions are very low and that engine has been awarded "greenest engine" for 2 years now. And is much more fuel and emission efficient than say the prius........
 
Aslo the 123d is the ultimate bomb, 207HP out of a 2.0L engine......
 
I would start bangin the BMW NA HQ doors until they start selling the 4-pods!!

[tjts1]

The problem here in California is now that diesel cars are allowed to be sold in this state, diesel fuel costs about 60% more than gasoline so whats the point. I would go for a 4 cylinder gasser.