Official: BMW F80 M3 / F82 M4 Brings Back the Inline 6 Engine

[almuhairi]

Originally Posted by tuna_hp

I6 = Inline 6 cylinder engine. 6 cylinders in a single column aligned along the car lengthwise.

A V6 can be understood as two Inline 3 cylinder blocks, side by side, also both aligned with the car lengthwise, connected to each other at a "V" angle.

In practical terms, the V6 is a much shorter engine (almost half the length) that is much easier to fit into cars that might also be available with I4 or V8 engines. Since it is shorter you can also make the argument that it can contribute to a more rearward (favorable) weight distribution because its not so long like the I6 where much of the engine is in front of the front axle.

However, the I6 is a naturally balanced engine which means that without adding any additional mechanical complexity it has the potential to run smoother, has the potential to be built so that it can be tuned to create higher power because there is less stress on the components, and has the potential to be built to sound better.

The V6 is a particularly unbalanced engine where typical designs add a lot of mechanical complexity and weight in order to cancel out some of the vibrations and roughness, and even after that some of the vibrations are just tolerated as there is no easy way to cancel them out.

As a reference, the V8 isn't naturally balanced either but it isn't as bad as the V6 and all the imbalances can be relatively easily canceled out with modifications to the basic mechanical design, so a typical V8 is very smooth like an I6.

l6

[roastbeef]

i've been saying for a long time that its going to be a biturbo I6... i just can't find the post.

[ScheerSpeed]

nice

[Envyscorpio]

Originally Posted by Prince_of_Persia

Seems like all the people owning the current M3 are upset to see the V8 go away (including me) and people who haven't heard the S65 engine are happy.

Going to keep my NA V8 e92 M3 for a long time! Rest of you FI fans keep fixing your HPFP.

Glad I have S54 and S62 in my possession. E46 for driving and E90 for hauling family and friends around.

I am not against new tech, and will wait quietly till the next M3/4 is out to compare.

[Prince_of_Persia]

Originally Posted by Envyscorpio

Glad I have S54 and S62 in my possession. E46 for driving and E90 for hauling family and friends around.

I am not against new tech, and will wait quietly till the next M3/4 is out to compare.

I still love e46 M3s! They look amazing, even though they are almost 2 generations behind. Honestly, if I can find an AW manual one of them with low KMs, I would buy it in a heartbeat.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by malter2.0

Damage is already done. V8 or I6 does not matter. Damage is called forced induction. It does not belong in the car that is meant to be tracked where throttle response and linear power delivery are important. FI will add complexity to M cars, increase maintenance costs on used cars and make them unreliable on the track because of limp mode, since everyone and their mother will raise the boost through software.

Again, as of next year there will be ZERO naturally aspirated cars in the ENTIRE BMW lineup. That is messed up.

You make some great points that seem to go in one ear out the other for some people.

[Adriansideways]

I love my current ///M but HAVE to agree on tracking and limp mode on the turbo new gen... Hope they get it right!! :

[roadmax]

Ha ha, they are correcting themselves by bringing back the I6 after realizing the mistake they did with V8. M3 is not meant to have any other engine, I6 is the only one and there is a reason, big reason why BMW decided to continue this route. This would also be a turning point where for first time the new model will be lighter than previous. Remains to be seen about dimensions, will it be lower and wider?? Let the fun begin.

[hellrotm]

Originally Posted by roadmax

Ha ha, they are correcting themselves by bringing back the I6 after realizing the mistake they did with V8. M3 is not meant to have any other engine, I6 is the only one and there is a reason, big reason why BMW decided to continue this route. This would also be a turning point where for first time the new model will be lighter than previous. Remains to be seen about dimensions, will it be lower and wider?? Let the fun begin.

How is the v8 a mistake? Isn't it the best selling M3 to date?

[av689]

Great news! I want one)

[clar]

I have a sick feeling in my guts that when they finally announced the details of the next M3, the engine will be underwhelming just like it did on the 1M. I waited for the 1M and when i heard that it was gonna get the same N54 as my 135i, it was no deal for me. Looking at how M is cutting cost these days with no bespoke M engines, i am seriously worried that the I6 on the new M3 is gonna be another tuned up special of the N55/N54 I have full intention on getting the next M3 coupe, but if the engine is not special enough, i am jumping ship. Around this price range (or slightly more), there will be quite a lot of choice with cars like the upcoming Jaguar F type, new Audi R8, etc...

[Soorena]

wow some haters are at work here. S65 is a thing of beauty. Whomever says it's junk and crap like that def should have a ride in M3.

[kueks29]

Rejoice not too early

For one has AG-man not to look at the M-GmbH, on the other hand does not provide the basis for the V6.
Builds namely on the S65 and not on the S63Tü ...

Alone proves that the info is not very realistic. Because he would have inside knowledge, then he would know the basis of the V6.
Furthermore, it was just missed by all employees of the M-GmbH, a muzzle. They had to sign, that the mention of the letter "R" (in English I) or "V" will cost the job.
and ... only 5 days after this action arises out an AG-proclaimed funny guy:
"Yes, it will be an I6 in the M3 ..."??

Those who believe a thing like that??

[foxyman]

Originally Posted by Rated ///M

I'm guessing only a little bit. CF still costs a lot and if BMW used extensive amounts of it, it would push the price up significantly. The M3 is BMW's bread and butter and sells more then any other M car.(X5/X6 M excluded) They have to keep it at a specific price point.

M4 will probably use a lot of CFRP (as per i range) which is a lot more affordable than CF with similar weight benefits, M3 will not benefit from this (or not as much)

[aajami]

Well, this thread really brought out the best in this forum.

[TheRealOrosie]

I love how people think BMW is going to put out a disappointing new M3/M4....after their proven track record of engineering class leading product.

Wow...

[9352e90]

The only thing good about an I6 M3 is the fact that we know BMW plans on building an I6 for the next generation of vehicles, it's sad to see it phased out in most of the line up. Although there is no way this will be a NA I6 and get more then 415 hp

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by aajami

Well, this thread really brought out the best in this forum.

+1

[Envyscorpio]

Originally Posted by Prince_of_Persia

I still love e46 M3s! They look amazing, even though they are almost 2 generations behind. Honestly, if I can find an AW manual one of them with low KMs, I would buy it in a heartbeat.

Do it! I'll stick w/ blue. Mystic and LeMans

A clean AW manual is hard to come by but I'm sure there is one out there.

[and 1]

Very happy to hear this

[and 1]

http://www.f30post.com/forums/poll.p...ts&pollid=6341

Turns out the majority was right...by only a few %

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by aajami

Well, this thread really brought out the best in this forum.

no kidding.

It amazes me. I remember reading some of the same type of debate about the 1M, how it would not be a true M car because it doesn't have a "bespoke" engine, it's a "parts bin" car, yadda, yadda. Now look what people are saying.

"Instant classic".

"Most fun car in BMW's lineup".

"Total riot".

Etc.

Sure, people will always bitch and moan, I get that. But have a little perspective. People said the same thing about the F10 M5. OMG turbo M5, no way, V10 rulez yo, yadda, yadda. Now Top Gear calls it the "Best car on sale today".

E9X M3 - amazing car.
E60 M5 - amazing car.

They are the last of the breed....super high specific output naturally aspirated engines. But that breed of engine is dying.

Indycar - N/A V8 engines in 2011, turbo V6's in 2012
F1 - N/A V12 to N/A V10 to N/A V8 to turbo V6 in 2013.

See a trend here?

I am very much looking forward to the F80 M3. I like my current F10 535, but it is a bit aloof, even with all the sport goodies on it. The F30 has enough room for my family of 4 whereas the E90 simply did not. I don't plan on tracking my car, it's a daily driver. I drive in a monumental amount of traffic and usually can't get the car higher than 50 MPH without risking a ticket. For me, the new torque infused M3 will be perfect.

Will I miss the E9x M3? Yes. It will be a classic, and one I wish I had more seat time in. But I have a feeling BMW won't let us down with the F80....