I can't see this option remaining for long. Denmark has already restricted chip tuning [1] and pushed the EU to include stronger anti-tamper mechanisms in Euro5 and Euro6 standards. Miserable bastards.
In message , mlv writes
BMW have just knocked the 130i down from 221/226 to 198/197 manual/auto. That's pretty good for something weighing 1450kg and toting a 260bhp six cylinder engine. Dunno how they knocked 10% off the emissions.
On the downside, it's still ugly and expensive.
The Lexus IS220d doesn't sound too promising:
"...this 2.2-litre oil burner taken from the Toyota Avensis should be a real corker. In practice, it feels lethargic and reticent and, despite huge torque reserves, the IS220d's power plant is unfathomably slow-revving. After the initial surge of torque at 2,000rpm, the rev counter's needle takes an age to sweep across the remaining few thousand rpm.
To compound the issue, the 220d has been saddled with the most absurd gear ratios ever devised by man. Attempting a cruise in sixth gear at 70mph will have the engine barely ticking over at 1,500rpm; in fact, the engine is revving so low at legal motorway speeds as to be labouring quite audibly, and anything other than a completely flat motorway will require a change back down into fifth. Forget about using that famed turbo-diesel overtaking surge, as you'll have to change down one or even two gears to achieve anything other than glacial acceleration."
I did visit my local Mercedes dealership. I always check out dealerships before buying a particular make of vehicle, in case I have to use them for servicing, spares or repairs.
As I sat on the plush chesterfield, supping my complimentary coffee and watching the pretentious suits scurrying around their opulent surroundings, I thought, "someone has to pay for all this - but it isn't going to be me!" I know my place! ;-)
Tall gearing, ultra light engine, 6 spd auto, alternator disconnect regen brake thingy and maybe valvetronic (but not sure on the sixes)
So that's about 2000 rpm at a normal lexus motorway cruise....
Merc ownership can be quite reasonable - buying the car from a dealer gives you one years peace of mind, service parts are not expensive and there's lots of independant specialists who have the required kit and knowledge to service it at under 1/2 the dealer prices.
They've decided to try & sell one to my dad?
I didn't get the impression that there had been any big change in spec though, from Feb 2007 to March 2007, but the CO2 emissions listed dropped by 10%.
It's a good effort, but unfortunately the reduction in carbon emissions won't affect the UK vehicle tax banding very much.
The 130i still generally falls within Band F (185 - 225 g/km) currently at
205 of Gordon's UK Green Tax Pounds per annum, with the exception of the 226 g/km 130i automatic that would just place any of these models registered after 23 March 2006 into Band G (over 225 g/km), currently at 300 of Gordon's UK Green Tax Pounds per annum and likely to rise again in the next budget.Now, if BMW could get the 130i down to 185 g/km or less...
True, apart from the automatic. That's why taxing by band, with big differences in the charges between bands, is stupid.
Still, works out OK for me, mine's 284g/km and (pre-2006 registration) band F.
A lie? :-)
Replacing the ECU..?
There will always be a way!
In message , DervMan writes
More cost and complication than a piggy-back solution. The amount of stuff under electronic control in modern cars is gobsmacking, and all the modules are in communication. I mean, it's mostly well hidden, but when you suddenly realise that what's controlling whether your interior lights come on or not is not the state of a couple of switches but what can reasonably be called an algorithm...
But going down Denmark's route would see most of them illegal. I can see government policy on CO2 banding leading to more people buying turbocharged band F cars and chipping them to band G performance and emissions. And that, I fear, won't long be tolerated.
Piggybacking would be the sensible way forwards - or sensor spoofing like the diesel boxes do.
New technologies include an Auto Start-Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, Electric Power Steering, an electric water pump, and a host of drivetrain modifications designed for fuel economy, increased performance, and lower emissions.[3]
In message , Tim S Kemp writes
Lots of detail changes then. Intelligent alternator control to reduce parasitic losses and making more of the ancillaries electric to take advantage of it. How very German.
The six has double VANOS and valvetronic, but I think it's always had them.
Whatever, it's still impressive.
Had double VANOS for a while, valvetronic on the sixes is quite new though - I think it was 4s / 8s / 12s only due to the less rev-happy expectations of them, ISTR the first valvetronic fours only ran to 5500 rpm, the new valvetronic cars run to 7000...
Both of whioch are absolutely impossible with anything after EEC-IV ECU's.
Tim..
Yes, I think you're right. Isn't that three litre lump used in the 130 an (almost) brand new engine, though?
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