Quote:
Originally Posted by elp_jc
I personally think that article is pure BS. At this point, they're already testing that engine somewhere. Or close to.
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Sorry to South and others, but I have to agree here with this^. There is simply no way BMW is this indecisive at this point. The engine has got to be decided pretty early on in development. Where does this leave us?
Quote:
Originally Posted by elp_jc
With a TT V8 M5, there WILL NOT be a TT V8 M3.
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Yes, exactly right on the money. % chance = 0, precisely. It is really due to pride/envy considerations. You can't charge so much more for the M5 with such a similar engine available in the M5s little brother.
The only reasonable options (from BMWs perspective) are V6 or I6, with turbo(s). Certainly very different options. They will undoubtedly show some significant innovation in the turbo domain either way. The choice comes down to a couple basic issues.
1. BMW is being driven very strongly by a push to use common parts to save money. You can read all about this about this in their reports to investors. The terms are "standardized architectures", "modular combinations" and "material cost offensive". If this is the dominant factor in the decision it will get an N55 variant. Personally I am leaning in this direction, not as a preference but as a guess.
2. The M3 is an icon, is typically fairly innovative (and award winning) with its engine. The compactness of the V6 as well as the innovation that could be in such an engine are attractive. Similarly reusing parts of existing V8s has the potential to save on development and production costs. However basing a new V6 on an existing V8 is not exactly as simple as the way the S65 V8 was based on the M5 S85 V10 due to balancing issues. Also, since the base 3er will have plenty of room for an inline 6 space is not going to be a major concern or limitation in the chassis. The M3 also typically gets its own specific or highly customized version of a base engine.
I'm not so sure why folks are so anti-V6. Sure they need some balancing shaft(s) that rob some power and add some complexity but there is nothing whatsoever inherently wrong with a great V6. It certainly would be a somewhat radical departure for BMW but heck turbos for M cars and SUVs are no less radical.
Don't really buy the articles basic premise but appreciate the discussion it has spurred.