BMW M CEO Nitschke discusses electric steering for M3/M4, AWD for M, etc.

[bimmerjph]

Originally Posted by gblansten

It sure as hell isn't one of mine if it means a three cylinder car.

Why? It sounds good, is lighter, more effecient,and is just as powerful as an i6? What is not to love?

Listen, I am probably one of the most hardcore traditionalists on this forum. If the inline 3 is what it takes to get back the old feel of a bmw through the steering wheel, then I will take a slight agricultural noise on tick over to get it. Because thats the only thing that will differ. This weight problem BMW is plagued with has absolutely gotten out of control.

The people dissing the Inline 3 sound just like the American car guys that dismissed the fact that an inline six could possibly be better than their sacred V8. BMW proved them wrong. And they will probably prove ya'll wrong as well.

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by Kayani_1

I am not so sure what he is talking with regards to weight. The M5 and M6 were the light weights of the group and they no longer hold that distinction. Being on par with others is not M division thing. It is leading the pack of its competitors.

The electric steering wheels on M5 and M6 suck

I hope they do not do to M3/M4 what they have done with M5 and M6.

Porsche has done a pretty good job keeping the multitude of car reviewers from grumbling much about their move to electric steering. There's hope that BMW can do this with the M3/4.

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by bimmerjph

Why? It sounds good, is lighter, more effecient,and is just as powerful as an i6? What is not to love?

Listen, I am probably one of the most hardcore traditionalists on this forum. If the inline 3 is what it takes to get back the old feel of a bmw through the steering wheel, then I will take a slight agricultural noise on tick over to get it. Because thats the only thing that will differ. This weight problem BMW is plagued with has absolutely gotten out of control.

The people dissing the Inline 3 sound just like the American car guys that dismissed the fact that an inline six could possibly be better than their sacred V8. BMW proved them wrong. And they will probably prove ya'll wrong as well.

We don't need to agree on what we desire in cars. You can lust for the I3 and I'll keep the love going for the I6 and V8s.

[StealYourFace]

The video test that featered a 1er wagon with the 3cyl sounded fantastic (115i?) that was posted on here not too long ago.

It is better balanced than the 4 cyl (not bashing the n20, it's an awesome engine, just pointing out the facts). If most motorheads took one for a spin, I am sure they would not know that was a 3cyl motor under the hood.

An open mind is essential to a satisfying life!

[dreamspeed]

No more bespoke engines....just souped up versions of standard engines

[clbmw]

Shame really, all that electric steering, revised regular engines and heaviness would fit more with the M performance line not M.

As for four wheel drive and hydraulic steering what happened to options? Everything on a BMW is optional!

No mention of 3 or 4 M performance or a proper halo car either

[Dackelone]

And... the biggest question concerning the next M3/M4 is... How many damm turbos will it have!?!?!?

My money is on two. But I keep hearing about three turbos. Two small and one big like the M550d setup has with VVT.

[Rob///M5]

Originally Posted by gblansten

Porsche has done a pretty good job keeping the multitude of car reviewers from grumbling much about their move to electric steering. There's hope that BMW can do this with the M3/4.

Not this car reviewer. I think the 991 steering is numb as hell. Not as numb as the F10, but numb compared to the pre-electric Porsches.

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by Rob///M5

Not this car reviewer. I think the 991 steering is numb as hell. Not as numb as the F10, but numb compared to the pre-electric Porsches.

Well, I have zero experience with Porsche electric steering. Appreciate your feedback. I'm definitely going to get some experience though. Interested in a Boxster S for my next car steering be damned.

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by Rob///M5

Not this car reviewer. I think the 991 steering is numb as hell. Not as numb as the F10, but numb compared to the pre-electric Porsches.

Do you know how the F10 steering compares to the F30? I had a loaner F30 the past couple of days and, compared to my E92, it felt horrible. I won't buy an M4 in a few years (like I plan to) if that's the case.

[KG3356MT]

If the AWD AMG models sell well, there will be AWD M cars in the future. our opinions don't mean anything to any business. Only money does.

[infinitigor]

If electric steering is on par with hydraulic then why isn't in in the new m5/ m6 cars now? and in the f30 3 series, because it's NOT

[Bigiggs]

Originally Posted by kmarei

I call big, huge BS on this one
show me one car that has electric power steering that is anything like hydraulic steering

the car companies love it because its more efficient
so it saves them 1-2 mpg or something
but to say it's "on par" is either a blatant lie, or you know nothing about cars

Agreed!

BTW Ayrton is the man!

[M3_WC]

He could have literally answered all those questions with a yes or no.

He danced around quite a few questions.

[sali]

C/D: Will the upcoming M3 and M4 be fitted with electromechanical power steering?

FN: Without confirming any product speculation, it is safe to assume that we will offer electromechanical power steering in the future. The technology is now fully on par with a good hydraulic power-steering system.

Awesome, I am done with BMW as I was waiting for new M4.

As someone earlier pointed out, it is about saving money and being greedy, and nothing to do with mpg's. Other car makers are launching cars without EPS like Jaguar launched their new F-type with a hydraulic steering (although C&D did not find it perfect).

[r3dbimmer89]

Originally Posted by Kayani_1

I am not so sure what he is talking with regards to weight. The M5 and M6 were the light weights of the group and they no longer hold that distinction. Being on par with others is not M division thing. It is leading the pack of its competitors.

The electric steering wheels on M5 and M6 suck

I hope they do not do to M3/M4 what they have done with M5 and M6.

Actually the F10 M5 and F12/F13 M6 both have hydraulic steering versus the AG cars' EPS. Even so, people complain that it's not as good as the E60 in feel.

The F80/F82 M3/M4 will be M's first production car with EPS.

[SW19]

C/D: Is it still possible to order a current-generation M3?

FN: Actually, it is sold out. We will build the coupe and the cabriolet for about another half year, but on principle, the cars are spoken for.

When was this interview?The last month of production for the E92 M3 is June and he is saying there is going to be another 6 months of production.

[nick3753]

[QUOTE=AWESOM3;13927392]

C/D: BMW is working on a compact vehicle architecture that will be fitted with three-cylinder engines. Is that a topic of discussion for you as well?

FN: The three-cylinder is an attractive engine. It is possible to reach around 185 to 200 horsepower per liter in a forced-induction three-cylinder and we have 1.5 liters of displacement. Such an engine, which, by the way, sounds very similar to a six-cylinder engine, would have over 310 horsepower. QUOTE]

Translation: we will make a three cylinder engine sound similar to a six-cylinder engine when heard through the speakers.

[davesaddiction]

Originally Posted by AWESOM3

Car and Driver: The current M3 was fitted with a unique M engine. Will future vehicles be derived from existing BMW engines, or will you continue to afford yourself the luxury of bespoke M engines, like the naturally aspirated V-8 and V-10?

Friedrich Nitschke: At the core of their architecture, our engines will be closer to BMW AG engines. But they will be optimized for the specific needs of M customers, so we can still essentially speak of standalone engines.

Translation: we'll do just enough to change them that saying they're unique to ///M isn't a bold-faced lie.

[Thurman Murch]

I think he meant the sedan as the M3 since that is what the new M3 is and it is no longer built

3-cylinder motors may eventually replace the 6 but I could see a 1 or 2 series getting this motor plus the mini... I would welcome s 3 in an M or m- perf car if it kept hydraulic steering and more than 310 power

One day government computer-controlled electric cars or trains may be the main form of urban travel - just think Fast and Furious type stuff may be reality because we will have to go underground to race and fuel may have to be bought like drugs because they might institute environmental police - because I see this downsizing trend become more rapid

[jaehshim]

[eMvy]

Originally Posted by ramuman

Efficiency is not one of your principles I take it.

It's not that efficiency isn't a principal of ours, it's just not high on the list among M owners. I couldn't care less about efficiency if it sacrifices the experience.

My inefficient S65 puts a smile on my face and a feeling you can't quite describe outside of a few production engines in the world. Even starting it in the garage and listening the beautiful sounds before the EMS adjusted did it for me. My much more efficient N20, is an un-poetic, characterless, diesel sounding, vibrating little shit, and with all prior considered, still a powerful, responsive engine that even pushes a X3 along nicely along while getting 32-34 on a slow, low stop highway.

See the legitimate concern M folks have? The S54 to S65 was a much easier pill to swallow because the S65 retained familiar characteristics, high revving NA. No doubt it'll perform but you get to a point where fast is great but the experience and feeling behind the wheel is what matters.