A question of refinement

[DrYazz]

Car manufacturers do put the same engines in different models across their range.

For example (and showing no particular favouritism to BMW):

- a 3 series can have 4 cylinder, 6 cylinder and now even a V8 engine
- a 5 series can have (or did) have the same 4 cylinder and 6 cylinder engines seen in the 3 series, as well V8s
- a 7 series did have a 6 cylinder engine seen in the 3 and 5 series, 8 cylinder engines shared with the 5 series and also V12 engines

If a 3 series and a 7 series shared the same engine (e.g. 192 bhp 3.0 in line 6) would the 2 cars not be expected to have similar refinement and noise levels?
Are they similarly refined?
Or would a manufaturer purposely have radically different suspension settings and sound deadening features to differentiate their products?

[otolith]

DrYazz said:

Or would a manufaturer purposely have radically different suspension settings and sound deadening features to differentiate their products?

Yes.

[DrYazz]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

But why not make the 3 series as refined as the 7 series? The quieter the car, the better, surely.

[Complex]

Because that would increase the cost of producing 3 series. And building your cheapest model to the same standard of refinement as your most expensive model would be foolish, even if you could do it for little cost.

[Fox-]

I have a 530i Sport. My parents have a Z4 3.0i.

The engine is absolutely identical in every possible way.

The Z4 sounds considerably louder, has a sporty exhuast note, and sounds far nicer under acceleration.

My comparison, mine is quiet muted, quiet and refined. Despite being exactly the same powerplant.

[otolith]

DrYazz said:

But why not make the 3 series as refined as the 7 series? The quieter the car, the better, surely.

Because it would make the car heavier, slower, less fuel efficient and more expensive.

[DrYazz]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Guess again.