Quote:
Originally Posted by JensM
42Pilot
? Sorry, but can not read my comment as 'an attack to your reply'
I was simply telling about my own experience - and this is an experience you will find from many diesel drivers in Europe.
I was also saying it was not in the +20% range, but it was/is enough so you can feel it. At the same km mark, most people (my self included) also see an improvement in fuel consumption with up to 15-20% extra (how to explain this?). And finally which was notable on all the 4 bangers (not the 30D), the engine sounded more smooth and less noisy - we all know the BMW 4 cyl make more 'hard' diesel noise compared to the Audi etc.
Why is it like this? I don't know - but I have heard several people (among others engineers working at Land Rover and Peugeot) claiming that this is what is happening. But as said, I do not know if this is a story or not - but I do know my own experience.
About modern diesels already tuned to the max. I am sorry, but not sure you are aware of what is going on in the car industry at the moment including BMW.
Many of the engines today are identical but with different software ending in different power. Take for example the 4 cyl BMW: Same engine whether they mark is as 1.6 - 1.8 - 2.0 (two versions) and 2.5 (forget about the US noise with 2.8). All is the SAME 2.0 engine with different software (and the 2.5 with different turbo and cooling). And I bet you - we have not seen the last, using same 2.0 but with even higher output.
Take the new VW Passat, their current top of the range is a 2.0 diesel with 240HP (last version had 170). Skoda use same engine in their new Superb (not launched yet) - same engine have 280HP. I will also bet, that the BMW 50D (3 liter) with currently 381HP will be presented with even higher power from the factory in the future.
All car manufactures are now following this down-sizing trend - smaller engines but with higher (and higher output)
So, modern diesels today are NOT at their max.
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You caught me at not proof-reading my post for sure. I used the examples of US pickup trucks being tuned to the max (and they are, I own one but research it yourself), then turn around and state my F15 is detuned - doesn't make sense.
I'm quite aware of the various engine configurations, called platform manufacturing. My biggest customer uses this method to build agricultural equipment. But such differences in performance are not normally just software related. They almost always hang an extra turbo or two, larger injectors, different valve train , etc., then match the tune. The base engine is basically the same.
In any event, we'll agree it makes no sense (or is odd at the very least) why engines magically gain significant horsepower after breaking in. In the meantime, if you get any empirical proof, I would appreciate if you could share.