Wednesday 5th June 2002

Punters Confused

Manufacturers' poncy naming schemes are rubbish

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[Tuff Noodell]

Keep with the new names AND introduce a test to make sure that the average punter understands the naming policy - if they dont pass - they're banned from buying a car for 1 year.

That should cut down the number of punters on the road....
There's nothing more dangerous than some numpty who doesn't understand that the word 'Dynamique' may actually mean that the car can move along the road.

[Cotty]

I still think that BMW have the right idea when it comes to names ie they dont. 325i = three series 2.5l injection its just the E numbers that confuse people E30, E36 etc

[jeremyc]

quote:
I still think that BMW have the right idea when it comes to names ie they dont. 325i = three series 2.5l injection its just the E numbers that confuse people E30, E36 etc

Except, of course, where 318 = three series 2.0 litre .

[thub]

Ah, but don't BMW play with the numbers to get the heirachy 'looking right'? I can't be sure, but aren't some 316 models 1.8 litres, and some 323s 2.5 litres?

Now that would be a real test for a potential buyer, 'What is the actual engine capacity of the model you're looking to buy?'. Or, following on from another thread, 'Please turn on the headlights.'

I'll get my anorak... (but I'll just refresh the page and edit my reply first since I'm a little late with my comment)

>> Edited by thub on Wednesday 5th June 14:28

[MikeyT]

quote:

quote:
I still think that BMW have the right idea when it comes to names ie they dont. 325i = three series 2.5l injection its just the E numbers that confuse people E30, E36 etc

Except, of course, where 318 = three series 2.0 litre .

Thought the 318 was a 1.8 4 cylinder the 2.0 in the 320 was the straight six? also

[Cotty]

quote:

Thought the 318 was a 1.8 4 cylinder the 2.0 in the 320 was the straight six? also

quote:

Still works though 318 is a 1.8 and the 320 is a 2.0 doesent say anything about the engine configeration. Off the top of my head I thought the straight six was only used in the 2.0 and above

Buger just remembered the 316 I used to own was an 1800cc but my brothers 316i was a 1600 injection but it does work most of the time

Ill get my coat

Paul

[mattjbatch]

They change it for saloon and estate(sorry "Touring" ) models too. Crazy marketing fools...

[Bodo]

Another one:
The 325i (2.5) was called 323i (still 2.5, but lesser power) after the 328i (2.8 with same hp as 325i) was launched
They haven't changed the name of the 740i (4.0) after they increased engine displacement to 4.4

Think of Ferrari:
The 250 GTO has 250cm³ volume per cylinder. 12x250cm³=3000cm³

365GT4BB has 12x365=4380cm³ Berlinetta Boxer, but it's not a boxer, it's V12 180°

365GT4BB has been replaced by 512BB,
now 5litres and 12cylinders

I am not going to buy a Beemer or a Ferrari

Concise names are: 'V8' 'DoubleSix' 'Autobahn' and 'Stradale'

[kevinday]

quote:
Think of Ferrari:

365GT4BB has 12x365=4380cm³ Berlinetta Boxer, but it's not a boxer, it's V12 180°

A 180 degree 'V' engine is not a V it is a boxer isn't it?

[gnomesmith]

Sounds silly doesn't it but not all flat configured engines are boxers, it depends how the crank is arranged. In a boxer directly opposed pairs of pistons move to tdc at the same time (180 Degree crank), any other crank configuration, for example a flattened V12 would have pistons reaching tdc in a staggered formation.

Not explained very well but I'm sure you know what I mean.

>> Edited by gnomesmith on Monday 10th June 18:57

[ultimapaul]

I thought all flat engines are called boxers '....because the pistons look like they are boxing each other .....' I read this somewhere

And is the latest BMW 3 series along the lines of .... 316 & 318 both 2.0L in line 4'sof different bhp out puts

No 320 at the moment ???? (except the diesel)

325 in actually the 2.8 straight 6 (196bhp) ????

Only the 330 has the engine size as per badge.

This could of course be complete BOLLOX !!!!


And as for Mercedes, are'nt all the 4 cylinder engines in the 180, 200, 220 & 230 2.0L but in different states of tune ????


But then again who cares .....

[kevinday]

quote:
Sounds silly doesn't it but not all flat configured engines are boxers, it depends how the crank is arranged. In a boxer directly opposed pairs of pistons move to tdc at the same time (180 Degree crank), any other crank configuration, for example a flattened V12 would have pistons reaching tdc in a staggered formation.

Not explained very well but I'm sure you know what I mean.

>> Edited by gnomesmith on Monday 10th June 18:57

Thanks, so it is only Subaru that is a genuine 'boxer'? (and old alfasuds)