Power Dilemma

[gusagar]

Now that I´m about to purchase BM3 Stage 1/91 for my X5 I wonder:

1. Why are almost all BMW engines "underpowered"? is this a mean to preserve engine long life?
A N55 is a lot more commercially atractive delivering 360 HP than 306 HP (same for TQ).
2. Or please allow me to say this with different words: Are we "overpowering" our engines, challenging years of engine development at BMW plants?

[M302_imola]

Is it more commercially attractive to the BMW brand? I mean if you have a 335 that's advertised as 360hp is there really much incentive to BMW buyers in purchasing the much pricier M3 or M4? I attribute this to the main reason a lot of BMW's are advertised as less hp. I use to own a E46 M3 which was expensive as shit to get hp gains out of (being naturally aspirated). I remember when the N54 335 was introduced and a simple piggyback (jb4, etc) gave it like 60-80hp. For those that daily drive their BMW, and don't need the M3 performance on the track the 335 was much more bang for the buck at a way less price tag. Now that being said, I loved my E46 especially once I went with catless headers (full exhaust), tune, and racing coilovers. Handled like no other car I've ever driven, but those mods weren't exactly cheap. 335 as a straight line car was much more economical.

[Ascotgrun]

As someone who is unlikely to ever use all 306hp, an extra 60hp means nothing to me.

I would go so far as to say that I would be more interested in an inline 6 that made 60hp less if that engine had none of the N55's weak points.

[RED_Y_]

It is always balance of marketing within their own product line as well as emissions regulations. Not only BMW but other manufacturers had amazing engines developed before after yours of research but now they walking away from it. 15 years ago V8 was a must for luxury sport vehicle, now they sell E-class Mercedes Benz and BMW 5 series with 2 liter engines with start stop and all the green stuff on it.