Quote:
Originally Posted by Socom
E30/E46/E90 all had purpose built "M" engines. For years BMW Motorsport said that natural apiration was the way to go. Now people fear they will offer a massaged V6 based off the current M5 V8 architecture. Add that Benz and/or Audi has had a similar setup (forced induction V6/V8) it makes the M3 seem less special.
|
BMW has been using the same engines in the M cars as the regular 3 series cars for every M3 until the E90/92/93. This was the first version where the M3 had a totally different engine from the regular 3 series cars.
The E30 M3 engine (S14) was a development of the M10 4 cylinder with a S38/M88 cylinder head. The M10 was a series production engine from 1960 to 1987 in many different BMW cars
The E36 M3 engines (S50 & S52) were developments of the M50 & M52 inline sixes from the E30 and E36 3 series cars.
The E46 M3 engine (S54) was a development of the M54 inline six from the E46 3 Series cars.
The E90/92/93 M3 engine was the only M3 specific engine to date. It was a development of the S85 M5/M6 engine which was one of a very few ground up engine designs for the M division. The S65 has not yet and most likely will not be used in any other BMW car after the E90/92/93 M3.