Parts Differences 20 sdrive v 28 sdrive?

[Napastar]

Apologies if this has been covered already

Does anyone definitely know what parts if any are different between the 20 and 28 sdrives. In the past I'm sure ive read its just the mapping and injectors that are different and that the drive train and brakes are the same.

 

[techathy]

From what I remember, I was looking at F30s at the time, it was purely the ECU/engine map! So you could get around 330bhp out of the 20i & 28i.

 

[dr_john]

It seems to be mapping and injectors but for a difference in list price of more than £4k it makes me wonder.

I've had a 28 but I'm just as happy with my current 20.

 

[techathy]

Injectors look to be common across the 18i, 20i & 28i -
http://www.etk.cc/bmw/EN/parts/info/Injector/13647639994/appliance
http://www.etk.cc/bmw/EN/parts/info/Injector/13647597870/appliance

 

[Billy]

Does that really mean the engines are identical barring the mapping? What about other parts of the car, eg brakes

 

[Nictrix]

Are the turbos not different sizes?
Surely it cant just be mapping, if it is BMW are ripping people off.
Even if its a different turbo and mapping together, £4000 is a lot.

 

[ric19]

http://e89.zpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=641723

 

[techathy]

I couldn't find one mechanical difference between the 20i & the 28i engines on realoem or etk.cc. I also talked to a tuner who said they get 300-330bhp out of either engine.

 

[Simon20VT]

An expensive £4k engine map. At least when you go from the 1.8 to the 2.0 you get some extra kit - dual climate, rain sensing wipers and auto headlights.

 

[techathy]

Yeah... you're paying a big premium for a level performance & a full one-stop warranty in one package. However one thing is that to get a 20i to 28i performance levels with a no-quibble 3 year warranty from new & insurance differences makes the 28i cheaper over the 20i if I the car for 5 years or more for me.

 

[RobH]

Apologies if this has been covered already

Does anyone definitely know what parts if any are different between the 20 and 28 sdrives. In the past I'm sure ive read its just the mapping and injectors that are different and that the drive train and brakes are the same.

Front brakes are certainly larger on the 28i. Parked next to a 20i a few weeks ago. Not sure about the rear brakes.

PS - am a lurker now as the 28i has gone.

 

[dr_john]

Yeah... you're paying a big premium for a level performance & a full one-stop warranty in one package. However one thing is that to get a 20i to 28i performance levels with a no-quibble 3 year warranty from new & insurance differences makes the 28i cheaper over the 20i if I the car for 5 years or more for me.

Didn't quite follow that...

 

[techathy]

Okay, real world difference between a 20i & 28i is £2750 (I had this priced out when ordering my 35iS). A remap which means you still have access to a full no-arguments BMW warranty is £2350 & a 20i remapped to 28i performance levels costs £90/year more to insure, making the 20i £50 more expensive over 5 years to buy & insure than the 28i.
:crazydude:

 

[abeardo83]

I've often wondered this about BMW's to be honest. Standardisation of parts is great, but sometimes it does feel like you're being ripped off somewhat.

It's like my 2.3... There are times when I wonder if the engine parts for my 2.5 are different then the E85/86 with the 2.5l... And if not, would I be able to use the old map to bring mine up to 2.5???

 

[Nictrix]

I've often wondered this about BMW's to be honest. Standardisation of parts is great, but sometimes it does feel like you're being ripped off somewhat.

It's like my 2.3... There are times when I wonder if the engine parts for my 2.5 are different then the E85/86 with the 2.5l... And if not, would I be able to use the old map to bring mine up to 2.5???

I take it you mean that the E85 has slightly more BHP than the E89 2.5L engines?
The 23i is a 2.5L engine already but just less BHP than the older model

 

[RX-78]

Having ordered 28i, I do feel ripped off :? I also wonder if the published performance are much closer in reality (i.e. 20i has performance better then the published figure, taking it closer to 28i)

I've not tested the 20i so it's difficult to say. Having said that, add I'm sure 28i do have some improved performance and modifying 20i to the same standard will probably cost similar amount in the end add already pointed out.

So I'm ok with the 28i

 

[techathy]

Having ordered 28i, I do feel ripped off :? I also wonder if the published performance are much closer in reality (i.e. 20i has performance better then the published figure, taking it closer to 28i)

From what I’ve seen the gloves seem to come off for the 28i, I say this because the ‘flat’ torque curve is within 5% of the maximum figure. The 28i produces a minimum of 350Nm & 245ps with those curves but the 20i (& 18i) produce their figure at peek rather than min. So quite the opposite, the 28i should be a faster than the numbers where as the 20i (& 18i) should be a little slower than the figures suggest.

I've not tested the 20i so it's difficult to say. Having said that, add I'm sure 28i do have some improved performance and modifying 20i to the same standard will probably cost similar amount in the end add already pointed out.

If you want to keep your engine warranty at least. People will point out that you can get a 20i -> 28i remap for about £600 but there's no engine warranty backup with that... not what I want to hear with a brand new car.

 

[abeardo83]

I've often wondered this about BMW's to be honest. Standardisation of parts is great, but sometimes it does feel like you're being ripped off somewhat.

It's like my 2.3... There are times when I wonder if the engine parts for my 2.5 are different then the E85/86 with the 2.5l... And if not, would I be able to use the old map to bring mine up to 2.5???

I take it you mean that the E85 has slightly more BHP than the E89 2.5L engines?
The 23i is a 2.5L engine already but just less BHP than the older model

It is the same N52 I believe. The e85 is a true 2.5, but the e89 is a defined 2.5. I wonder if you can use the old ECU map on the new car.

 

[RX-78]

Having ordered 28i, I do feel ripped off :? I also wonder if the published performance are much closer in reality (i.e. 20i has performance better then the published figure, taking it closer to 28i)

From what I’ve seen the gloves seem to come off for the 28i, I say this because the ‘flat’ torque curve is within 5% of the maximum figure. The 28i produces a minimum of 350Nm & 245ps with those curves but the 20i (& 18i) produce their figure at peek rather than min. So quite the opposite, the 28i should be a faster than the numbers where as the 20i (& 18i) should be a little slower than the figures suggest.

I've not tested the 20i so it's difficult to say. Having said that, add I'm sure 28i do have some improved performance and modifying 20i to the same standard will probably cost similar amount in the end add already pointed out.

If you want to keep your engine warranty at least. People will point out that you can get a 20i -> 28i remap for about £600 but there's no engine warranty backup with that... not what I want to hear with a brand new car.

I quite agree on remap cost. I suppose one option is to buy 3 years old 20i and tune it up but at this point I suspect the price between 20/28 will be so small, it's not worth it.

Bmw tactic wins again :?

 

[Billy]

Having ordered 28i, I do feel ripped off :? I also wonder if the published performance are much closer in reality (i.e. 20i has performance better then the published figure, taking it closer to 28i)

From what I’ve seen the gloves seem to come off for the 28i, I say this because the ‘flat’ torque curve is within 5% of the maximum figure. The 28i produces a minimum of 350Nm & 245ps with those curves but the 20i (& 18i) produce their figure at peek rather than min. So quite the opposite, the 28i should be a faster than the numbers where as the 20i (& 18i) should be a little slower than the figures suggest.

I've not tested the 20i so it's difficult to say. Having said that, add I'm sure 28i do have some improved performance and modifying 20i to the same standard will probably cost similar amount in the end add already pointed out.

If you want to keep your engine warranty at least. People will point out that you can get a 20i -> 28i remap for about £600 but there's no engine warranty backup with that... not what I want to hear with a brand new car.

I quite agree on remap cost. I suppose one option is to buy 3 years old 20i and tune it up but at this point I suspect the price between 20/28 will be so small, it's not worth it.

Bmw tactic wins again :?

3 year old 28i seems to sell for around 3000-4000 more than 20i. Mental