Video: s55 Powered BMW F80 M3 Flying and Singing on the Nurburgring

[RogeM3]

Originally Posted by Boss330

Not sure most Europeans think it's a compliment to have a BMW with a sound that compares with those cars...

Funny how change always creates the exact same reactions every time. Last it was the E46 crowd complaining about the E9X V8 sound, now that we are going back to the 6 it's the V8 crowd preferring that "american" sound and comparing a 6cyl with a "ricer" sound. After a while the S55 will be accepted as a great sounding engine and if BMW changes concept for the following generation, history will be repeated...

Thankfully appearance and sound is not objective matters but are subjective and we adapt to new styling and sounds at a different pace. Some will always prefer the original M3, some the 6 cyl generations, some the V8. And so it should be. If we all agreed on everything, we would not need discussion forums at all

And this is one of MY favourite old school sound tracks:

That engine REALLY sings a beautiful sound

Europeans not accepting the V8 sound.....whattt, they love it, (Corvettes, Camaros, are very popular in Europe, and they love the sound!!!!
Europeans cars are NOT only 6 cylinders or are represented by it.... ask Mercedes, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Audi who by the way is going into NA engines, V8!!!!

[Jonjt]

Originally Posted by Daaaadadundun

Omg you whining little girls...

I remember the comments when the M3 E92 was still in it's testing stage. Everybody was crying that the sound of the E46 was better. Now suddenly the S65 is the sh*t. I bet you by the time this thing is replaced the same people who are crying about the S65 today will be crying about this S55 then. ...

Eh, I'm of the opinion that BMWs S model inline 6 motors are not particularly good sounding. The S54 has this raspy, tinny sound to it and, it looks like this motor does, too. The S65 does sound much better than this motor and, that's not complacency speaking. Nothing new is always 100% better.

[weixp386]

sweet sound

[Ashley Schaeffer BMW]

Not to mention this is the first turbo M3.... I wouldnt expect a home run on the first try. I def wouldnt buy the first year model. When its finally released im guessing there wont be much that separates this from a M335i or whatever "M sport" variant is released.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by JAM3S

When its finally released im guessing there wont be much that separates this from a M335i or whatever "M sport" variant is released.

It will be identical to an M5 vs. a 550i M Sport which incidentally gets bumped to 445hp very shortly.

[kgroschi]

Sounds just like a 335i with Downpipes and aftermarket Exhaust.

[vinny84]

I think it sounds awesome. Really excited to see this thing unveiled.

[DarkTrigger]

Sounds a little ricey, but you know it's going to out handle and out drag the previous generation.

[HermesRider]

Everyone is commenting on the "singing" and not the "flying." IMO that sucker was hauling ass. Obviously the e9x is a tough act to follow, but this has impressive performance by my visual dyno for sure!

[Otaku]

Originally Posted by JJunkins

BOO!! Watch that, then watch this.

Mmmmmm!!

That's just plain cruel

[M5007]

Originally Posted by Daaaadadundun

Omg you whining little girls...

I remember the comments when the M3 E92 was still in it's testing stage. Everybody was crying that the sound of the E46 was better. Now suddenly the S65 is the sh*t. I bet you by the time this thing is replaced the same people who are crying about the S65 today will be crying about this S55 then. ...

You are probably right.

[Peahi]

Originally Posted by Otaku

That's just plain cruel

Some big shoes to fill!!! I'll take my slow, low torque, rumbly, V8 dinosaur engine anytime.

[wisesoul]

TBH the stock S54 didn't sound too great. Far too muted. This is sounding pretty mean for an I-6TT, tons of potential to be had. Not fair to compare this engine to the S65. Of course a 4.0L V8 will sound better

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by e92dave

Bmw should make two versions; one with this S55 and another (maybe make it special order) with the S65. Give the people what they want: a choice between an efficient, technologically advanced 6 or a stupid (in a good way) v8

I'm genuinely surprised that by this point in time you can't go to a bmw dealership and special order any bmw engine into any chassis (obviously for a fee) you would think that by this point in time you can have your bmw the way you want it

The good answer to that is: Development, homologation/type approval costs.

A M3 with a completely different engine would have to be crash tested, emission and noise tested. Not to mention the development costs involved in making this reliable and driveable with normal warranties and lemon laws involved.

This is were Hartge, Manhart, Alpina etc have a big advantage (at least in Europe). They are classed as a small volume manufacturer and are exempt from destructive tests and have simpler emissions and noise testing requirements.

Good concept, but not economically viable

[Thurman Murch]

I mean if it's an M car it's usually amazing in some way... While this proto sounds sorta like a 335is w more on the top end I think it will sound sorta like an is or 1m in a tunnel. While that isn't shabby, it doesn't have that F1 sound that I love... I love the metallic engine w raspy exhaust on the S54 and the robust monster sound of the S65 these engines just want to scream

This car does look like it hauls ass and my first mod would be exhaust and stiffer springs and if BMW does make the black series version it could still retain the S65 or da version of it - or even a track version or a more affordable M

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by RogeM3

Europeans not accepting the V8 sound.....whattt, they love it, (Corvettes, Camaros, are very popular in Europe, and they love the sound!!!!
Europeans cars are NOT only 6 cylinders or are represented by it.... ask Mercedes, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Audi who by the way is going into NA engines, V8!!!!

Not saying that we Europeans don't like 'Vettes and 'Stangs. One of my favourite cars is the 1969 Boss Mustangs (302 and 429) and the new Shelby Mustangs are awesome as well as the new Boss 302 Laguna Seca.

But the V8 soundtrack isn't MY favourite BMW M sound. It has a great idle sound (better than many of the 6cyl cars) but it just doesn't sound like it actually revs to 8400rpm when you hear it accelerating. Just check out the videos from the 'Ring and every E9X M3 sounds like they short shift (at least to me...). It's kinda like when you expect it to really come alive, there is a gearchange.

And the person who compared his E9X M3 with the sound of a Ferrari 458 must have heard a kit car with a V8 in it... The Ferrari V8 in the 458 has a flat crankshaft design (180 degree crank) just like F1 V8 engines has. Thats why a F1 V8 (like the Cosworth DFV or a new V8) does not sound like a V8 at all. Basically the 180 degree crank makes the engine act like two 4 cyl engines.

A E9X M3 does NOT sound like a Ferrari 458 in any way and it can't because their engines only thing in common is the V architecture of the block. The two very different crankshaft designs makes all the difference in the sound they make.

[THE JEDI]

I hate that sound.....the V8 is going to be a classic..and they know it.....my neighbor has an m3 with v8..MY GAWD it's just a great sounding car.....this things is just yuck..

[Tåst]

Best sounding Bmw engine S65, sure? Anybody remember who producted V12 engine in Mclaren F1? Yes Bmw Motorsport. Then M1 Procar over 9000rpm revving M88- based Inline-six and ~1970 Launched E9 CSL "Batmobile" 3.5L I6 and 430bhp/8500rpm, then of course car what starts this E30 M3 S14. Funny that fourty years has past and now comes 3.0L I6t "only" 415bhp.

But this is best, 3.5L I6 and that sound when air going to engine.

[Asbjorn]

Since the 50d (N57S) engine didn't, I bet 100 internet dollars the S55 shall be the first engine taking over the throne from the N54 at the international engine of the year awards. Sadly BMW will no longer be present in the 3.1-4.0L category.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by kgroschi

Sounds just like a 335i with Downpipes and aftermarket Exhaust.

Bingo. Not a bad thing per se, just something we'll have to learn to love.

If this thing is light, quick and reasonably linear/responsive - it'll be a huge hit.

[strati1]

So I guess aftermarket exhaust development will be focused on silencing it?

[DASHOCKER]

it sounds like a gt racing car