Why the power difference between UK and US?

[steveo1]

I went on the UK BMW site and they have a few more models of the new 3 series. 325i with 218 hp, 330i with 272 hp and the 335i with 306 hp. They also have diesel engines.. but whatever....
The 325 isnt offered here... and the 330i (UK) is the same as our 328i (same engine size...3L NA.... nothing different) yet we only claim it makes 230 hp!!!!
A 6 hp difference in the 335i is somewhat acceptable... but there is a major gap between what we believe the 328i will do and what the brits think it will.
I hope they didnt think we wouldnt figure it out if they called them by different names......

[snikwad]

we use SAE specs to measure BHP they use a different method, i can quite remember the name of it, but thats what causes the difference...

[Russell328is]

I thought there were also emissions restrictions and fuel-quality issues too? They use much higher octane fuel in Europe than we do.

[snikwad]

well i dont think hes asking about the differences like that, i think he means with engines that are the same liek the S54 for example...
The octanes available is higher but when they quote power output they typically use the same fuel. Besides, just having a higher octane doesnt mean automatically more power, nore does it always mean mor eputput... there are proven studies that show where a few engines actually produce less with the higher octane fuels, VS the grade the manufacturer recomends.

[lazyass349]

the reason for the power differences on the 328 and 330 is because they detune the 3.0l for different powers. Our E90 325 was also the same 3.0L engine, but tuned for 218hp