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      10-31-2011, 07:06 AM   #1
Obrfso
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Bmw m3 v8 engine usa vs europe spec.

Hi Guys,


I am new in this forum. I am an owner of BMW M3 e90 interlagos blue...pictures soon however i have got a problem...


Does someone know what is the difference between USA and EUROPE engine spec as the difference in fuel consumption is huge... I have got a USA spec car and my friend has got EU spec and the consumption difference is around 4-6 liters per 100 km.... As far as i know the EU is a bit more powerful so when it is more economical and quicker...why not to change the map...


Is it possible to change the map of the engine from USA to Europe without having any problems afterwards?


THANKS !!!!
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      10-31-2011, 07:13 AM   #2
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Surely the only rational explanation is driving style. Have never heard of the S65 from various countries being any different to each other.
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      10-31-2011, 07:14 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Obrfso View Post
Does someone know what is the difference between USA and EUROPE engine spec as the difference in fuel consumption is huge... I have got a USA spec car and my friend has got EU spec and the consumption difference is around 4-6 liters per 100 km...
Switch cars for a day and I'll bet your results would switch too. In other words, it is likely driving style. Also, I doubt you too have cars with the exact same specs and setttings, so that could contribute as well.

Quote:
As far as i know the EU is a bit more powerful so when it is more economical and quicker...why not to change the map...
I'm pretty sure the engine makes the same power in the US vs. Europe. Check the units.
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      10-31-2011, 07:31 AM   #4
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OP - why did you start another identical thread in the Tech Topics Forum - Engine, Drivetrain,...ECU Mods?

Admin - please combine the two threads. Thanks.

I agree with what's been stated above - no difference in power or fuel consumption, I think it's different driving styles and car build configurations.
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      10-31-2011, 08:07 AM   #5
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Guys I think you are all wrong. I heard that there is an extra thing in the tank of the USA spec and as a result the computer puts more petrol that is why USA spec consumes more petrol...apparently when u change the program, the mistakes shows on the dashboard.....guys so?? I thought u would know that guys....
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      10-31-2011, 08:23 AM   #6
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troll?
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      10-31-2011, 08:23 AM   #7
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What is the "extra thing in the tank" you're referencing? I've never heard of the difference you're describing.
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      10-31-2011, 08:39 AM   #8
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I believe the only difference is how fuel consumption is measured in the US and Europe.

So a US-spec car is consuming more fuel due to "extra thing in the tank" yet it makes the same power as the Euro-spec car? It must be a conspiracy so US-spec cars get hit with a Gas Guzzler Tax
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      10-31-2011, 08:53 AM   #9
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So basically there r 2 things which differs euro spec to USA spec. first thing is because of USA regulation, the USA spec m3 has got a sensor which takes out the air from the tank. If u change the soft to European it will show a mistake because the sensor doesn't exsist in the European spec and after driving the pressure increases and the car might stop because of air in the filter, not petrol.. Secondly the cats are different and as a result the USA spec gives more fuel to injection... Another us regulation... I talked with the Guy from BMW motorsport department in Munich which only looks at m powers... Did someone know that?
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      10-31-2011, 09:13 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Obrfso View Post
So basically there r 2 things which differs euro spec to USA spec. first thing is because of USA regulation, the USA spec m3 has got a sensor which takes out the air from the tank. If u change the soft to European it will show a mistake because the sensor doesn't exsist in the European spec and after driving the pressure increases and the car might stop because of air in the filter, not petrol.. Secondly the cats are different and as a result the USA spec gives more fuel to injection... Another us regulation... I talked with the Guy from BMW motorsport department in Munich which only looks at m powers... Did someone know that?
So if you've talked to a guy that works in the BMW M division why didn't you get him to answer your questions? He'd be able to tell you whether a US-spec car can be re-flashed to Euro specs and address your fuel consumption concern/issue. Now I'm really confused as to why you've created this thread.
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      10-31-2011, 09:22 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbarnes View Post
So if you've talked to a guy that works in the BMW M division why didn't you get him to answer your questions? He'd be able to tell you whether a US-spec car can be re-flashed to Euro specs and address your fuel consumption concern/issue. Now I'm really confused as to why you've created this thread.
+1

Seems logical that you would go back to the same guy and ask him your question-- am assuming the guy is still alive
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      10-31-2011, 09:28 AM   #12
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i think he got confused
EU version makes 420 hp
US makes 414
but that's not a difference of power
it's just the difference between horsepower when measured in DIN or SAE specs
its the same power
thats like saying the EU version has a top speed of 250
while the US has a top speed of 155
well yes, but the 250 is in km/h and the 155 is in miles per hour
same top speed, just different ways of measuring it
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      10-31-2011, 09:30 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Smokey View Post
+1

Seems logical that you would go back to the same guy and ask him your question-- am assuming the guy is still alive
Better question - did the OP really talk to someone within the BMW M Division?
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      10-31-2011, 09:40 AM   #14
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I'm pretty sure the difference in the printed MPG figures is the difference in European and American testing cycle standards and the difference between imperial miles vs US miles (yes there's a difference, you have to convert the figures properly).

Unless the figures you're seeing is from just on the engine itself versus the full vehicle (cycle) test, but you're comparing apples and oranges here.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/how_tested.shtml
http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/

Can't find a good Euro testing site, (maybe others can help)
http://herkules.oulu.fi/isbn9514269543/html/x787.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_ec...s#cite_note-23
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      10-31-2011, 09:46 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kmarei View Post
i think he got confused
EU version makes 420 hp
US makes 414
but that's not a difference of power
it's just the difference between horsepower when measured in DIN or SAE specs
its the same power
thats like saying the EU version has a top speed of 250
while the US has a top speed of 155
well yes, but the 250 is in km/h and the 155 is in miles per hour
same top speed, just different ways of measuring it
Nope - we've already tried this argument with the OP and it didn't work.
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      10-31-2011, 09:47 AM   #16
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Miles are the same, the difference is US vs Imperial Gallons

U.S. Gallons
1 MPG ≈ 0.425 km/l
235.2/MPG ≈ l/100 km
1 MPG ≈ 1.201 MPG (Imp)
Imperial gallons
1 MPG ≈ 0.354 km/l
282/MPG ≈ l/100 km
1 MPG ≈ 0.833 MPG (U.S.)
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      10-31-2011, 09:47 AM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbarnes View Post
Nope - we've already tried this argument with the OP and it didn't work.
but if the "guy" told him that
maybe we are all wrong?
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      10-31-2011, 09:47 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mdosu View Post
I'm pretty sure the difference in the printed MPG figures is the difference in European and American testing cycle standards and the difference between imperial miles vs US miles (yes there's a difference, you have to convert the figures properly).

Unless the figures you're seeing is from just on the engine itself versus the full vehicle (cycle) test, but you're comparing apples and oranges here.

http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/how_tested.shtml
http://www.epa.gov/fueleconomy/

Can't find a good Euro testing site, (maybe others can help)
http://herkules.oulu.fi/isbn9514269543/html/x787.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_ec...s#cite_note-23
I agree but this answer didn't work either...
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      10-31-2011, 09:55 AM   #19
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Basically the problem is that the Guy as BMW head of department can not see the solution apart from changing the tank...however he said that there are some solution which are available on aftermarkt forums or websides...I thought someone knew something ((
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      10-31-2011, 10:01 AM   #20
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I had heard that in the E46s the final gear ratio was different for US vs Euro spec. Nothing that was substantiated by anyone though.
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      10-31-2011, 10:07 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Obrfso View Post
So basically there r 2 things which differs euro spec to USA spec. first thing is because of USA regulation, the USA spec m3 has got a sensor which takes out the air from the tank. If u change the soft to European it will show a mistake because the sensor doesn't exsist in the European spec and after driving the pressure increases and the car might stop because of air in the filter, not petrol.. Secondly the cats are different and as a result the USA spec gives more fuel to injection... Another us regulation... I talked with the Guy from BMW motorsport department in Munich which only looks at m powers... Did someone know that?
If you are talking about the fuel tank vapor leak check you are wrong. Both US- and Eurpoean-spec cars are equipped with charcoal canisters and the leak check pump.

Wrong also on the catalytic converters, they are the same, I mean exactly the same as in the same BMW part number.

This verified through BMW's ETK for an 11/2009 build BMW E92 M3 Coupe.
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      10-31-2011, 10:22 AM   #22
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Given op is legit, the only thing I can think of is US spec cars are program to compensate for crappy gas. I mean here in CA we can only get 91 octane.
Why dont you (OP) re flash to euro spec and tell us what happen.
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