Discussion
No your friend is not being stitched up.
As a way of controlling manufacturing costs on some models, instead of making several different engines BMW make one standard size engine and then either restrict their performance to create a "lesser" model or (as found on more recent turbo models), modify the power output upwards to create the "higher end" models.
They also sometimes change the model name to give the impression of a bigger gap between models in the same range (as was the case of the 323i's which had a 2.5 litre engine but was felt to be too close to the next model up: the 328i).
So for example:
The 116i has a 2.0 litre engine restricted down to 122 HP.
The 118i has the same 2.0 litre engine restricted down to 143 HP.
The 120i has the same 2.0 litre engine putting out 170 HP.
On the 3 series:
The 318i has a 2.0 litre engine restricted down to 143 HP. (Same engine as in the 118i)
The 320i has the same 2.0 litre engine putting out 170 HP. (Same engine as the 120i)
The 325i has a 3.0 litre engine restricted down to 218 HP.
The 330i has the same 3.0 litre engine putting out 272 HP.
The 335i has a different 3.0 litre engine with a twin scroll turbocharger fitted it give it 306HP.
And so it goes for each of the other model ranges.
All information from: http://www.bmw.com/com/en/index.html
Go to required model range.
Go to: All the facts.
Click on: Find out more
Left side of screen - Click on: Engine and chassis.
Click on: Technical data.
Select required model for engine details.
As a way of controlling manufacturing costs on some models, instead of making several different engines BMW make one standard size engine and then either restrict their performance to create a "lesser" model or (as found on more recent turbo models), modify the power output upwards to create the "higher end" models.
They also sometimes change the model name to give the impression of a bigger gap between models in the same range (as was the case of the 323i's which had a 2.5 litre engine but was felt to be too close to the next model up: the 328i).
So for example:
The 116i has a 2.0 litre engine restricted down to 122 HP.
The 118i has the same 2.0 litre engine restricted down to 143 HP.
The 120i has the same 2.0 litre engine putting out 170 HP.
On the 3 series:
The 318i has a 2.0 litre engine restricted down to 143 HP. (Same engine as in the 118i)
The 320i has the same 2.0 litre engine putting out 170 HP. (Same engine as the 120i)
The 325i has a 3.0 litre engine restricted down to 218 HP.
The 330i has the same 3.0 litre engine putting out 272 HP.
The 335i has a different 3.0 litre engine with a twin scroll turbocharger fitted it give it 306HP.
And so it goes for each of the other model ranges.
All information from: http://www.bmw.com/com/en/index.html
Go to required model range.
Go to: All the facts.
Click on: Find out more
Left side of screen - Click on: Engine and chassis.
Click on: Technical data.
Select required model for engine details.
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