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C300 and BMW 328i are roughly equal on paper but "BMW under rates their HP metric"

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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 01:37 PM
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prius. :(
C300 and BMW 328i are roughly equal on paper but "BMW under rates their HP metric"

Often people say that the 328i is closer to 270 HP instead of 240 as rated by BMW. On paper the Mercedes Benz C300 is 241 horse power. It's been a while since I drove a 328i, but I don't recall it feeling any particularly faster than I expected a 4 cylinder 240 hp engine to feel. Conversely, when I was last in a C300 I certainly wasn't underwhelmed either.

Just curious if anyone could comment on this. Would MB potentially do the same as BMW? If not, and the statement about BMW true, why would BMW do that to begin with?
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 02:05 PM
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Dyno runs say the 328 puts down around 25-30hp more. Has a faster transmission too. It's definitely faster and the c class actually weighs slightly less.
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 02:10 PM
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This overrating thing is a complete fallacy. BMW don't put out 30hp over quoted figures. Those who state that are full of themselves and running a crappy dyno.
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 04:20 PM
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Originally Posted by ManiacGT
This overrating thing is a complete fallacy. BMW don't put out 30hp over quoted figures. Those who state that are full of themselves and running a crappy dyno.
I think the problem lies with converting wheel horsepower into crank and vice versa.
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 05:33 PM
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i think BMW rates their engines on paper so that they arrive at conveniently round numbers unless it is an M car.

320i 180hp, 328i 240hp 335i 300hp 340i is now 320hp. (550i... 400hp, nice and round)

i would assume that is just so they can segment their lineup better to most buyers, the 328i could have been rated at 260hp and no one would have batted an eye, but it put it too close to the higher numbered cars
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 07:17 PM
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I used to work for a company that run official/certified test engines on dynos for a lot of auto, industrial and truck makers. Most companies are conservative when advertising their power rates, even though the engine power differentiates their products and it's a huge selling point.

In the US, and most countries nowadays, you could be easily sued (thanks lawyers !!) for over/under rating your engine power when advertising it. Besides, EPA (thanks government!!) keeps a close eye on all tests performed by those companies. There are some slightly variation in horse power from (OEM - original) car to car but they are plus/minus 3% at most (we're talking 7hp in 240hp) under normal conditions. Keep in mind it varies with temperature and altitude too.
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 08:42 PM
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This is just one of those things I just don't care about. To me the hp difference is like a d*ck waving contest. No practical difference in the real world.
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 09:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Jay_Chicago

In the US, and most countries nowadays, you could be easily sued (thanks lawyers !!) for over/under rating your engine power when advertising it.
Yes, thank you lawyers...because we all know car manufactures can be trusted and will always do the right thing when they report numbers like gas mileage figures for instance for their vehicles...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...ered/10383307/

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/news...pg-elantra-ads

Besides, EPA (thanks government!!) keeps a close eye on all tests performed by those companies.
Yes, thank God we have a government agency to watch over business so we all don't end up living in a cesspool like the big cities in China or Mexico. If anything, the latest VW debacle involving diesels proves our laws aren't strong enough.

Last edited by MASSC450; Jul 25, 2016 at 09:18 PM.
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Old Jul 25, 2016 | 11:04 PM
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The manufacturers also have to quote the performance minimum all the engines will produce (accounting for production variance) .. assuming standardised test conditions etc.. this is to minimise the instance of someone complaining if an arbitary figure is not realised..


So its common to find actual power slightly above quoted..


Also means those that care and bother to pay to check, feel like they are getting a freebie when their reading is slightly over.. everyones a winner..


Measn bugger all anyway as if you care you modify it anyway and end up at a differnent figure..
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Old Jul 26, 2016 | 02:08 PM
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Before ordering my 2017 c300 coupe, I did a fair amount of research comparing the C300 (auto) to the 428i (auto), and if memory correctly serves me, I believe that the 0-60 for the C300 vs the 428i was around 5.9 sec vs 5.4 sec, respectively. So, for me, stated HP doesn't mean much when there is such a difference between 0-60.
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Old Jul 26, 2016 | 02:53 PM
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Originally Posted by MASSC450
Yes, thank you lawyers...because we all know car manufactures can be trusted and will always do the right thing when they report numbers like gas mileage figures for instance for their vehicles...

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/...ered/10383307/

http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/news...pg-elantra-ads



Yes, thank God we have a government agency to watch over business so we all don't end up living in a cesspool like the big cities in China or Mexico. If anything, the latest VW debacle involving diesels proves our laws aren't strong enough.
I was referring specifically to max HP and engine power. Fuel economy and emissions are totally different to the eyes of regulators....with all the electronic controls and black boxes that run our cars, it's becoming easier and easier for automakers to cheat on those and find excuses to explain it afterwards. Many are still getting away with murder out there.
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