I was just wondering what BMW could possibly do to keep their 6 cylinder loyalists happy but still increase power. Is that viable?

they can still tweak the I6 to the limits but............[SIZE=6]KABOOM!!!!

u need to make it KABOOM!!!!

[****=6] kaboom!!!! [/****]

there is different ways they can go with I6. They can make an all new one or work out the kinks in this one. Turbo the I6 is another option (although BMW didnt or used to not believe in NA). so those are all some options.

They could up the engine size, say, for example, to 3.8 liters. A 3.8 with 400hp is possible, but that is a pretty big I-6, however I believe that is the size of Porsche's new 6-cylinder engine (not an I-6 though).

There is no doubt in my mind the next M3 will have a V8.

Dont believe this is a viable option at all.

Even the loyalists among us want more BHP to keep up with the competiition so based on that, I think the ppl rootin for the I6 are very very limited.

V8 is here to stay.
Adam.

How disappointing

How disappointing

how disapointing in what mannor? care to say more or just "how disappointing"

Now, if you mean "how disappointing" in regards that it wont have a I6, well, what did u expect for BMW to say using I4 forever? everything will eventually reach its limits and they have to move on unless you know how to get more power out of the I6, something the M devision might not know about. In that case, you could put an App for the M Division in Germany. :peace:

There are many benefits to the inline six engine such as willingness to rev and smoothness but there is only so much it can do. The main issue still comes down to increasing power without using forced induction.

Raising the revs can only go so far without sacrificing drivability (Honda S2000) or reliability (M3). In other words, BMW has to bump up the displacement. The inline 6 design is pretty long and there is only so much more they can increase in displacement without increasing engine size.

Increasing the length of the stroke hurts the ability to rev and there BMW has to keep a minimum thickness between the cylinder walls to maintain reliability. Designing a larger inline 6 is difficult as the S54 was already a tight squeeze.

Both Audi and Mercedes went with large displacement V-8s. I believe that BMW has to go with a V8 to stay ahead of the competition. Right now, the S54 still holds it own (barely) against the V8's but to stay ahead, it's V8 all the way baby!!!

Ali, please explain why u are disappointed? I dont understand ?

If you are going to recieve a more superior car in all shapes and forms that is going to keep and beat the competition, how can you do that with a OLD unsuperior engine?
Adam.

A larger displacement (3.6, 3.8 even 4.0) base on a new I6 is possible. TVR have large displacement I6 with power ranging 340-420 bhp. If they can design a reliable high displacement I6 i am sure BMW can. Mayby BMW don't want to go down that route? who knows, It is possible.

Thanks for your response chigs but I have to say that BMW are having enough issues keeping the S54 in good order without designing anything else in I6 format. Lets throw it out, start again and PERFECT IT this time around.
Adam.

the lazy power from a v8 would be great if they can keep/improve the handling characteristics.

I'd like to see them tweak the current motor and twin turbocharge it like the Supra or R34 Sykline. That'd be nice. Those motors are making 400+ whp on stock internals reliably.

I'd like to see them tweak the current motor and twin turbocharge it like the Supra or R34 Sykline. That'd be nice. Those motors are making 400+ whp on stock internals reliably.

One word for you... KABOOM!!!

If they are already having so many problems with the reliability of the S54, what makes you think you will get ANY reliability by stressing it further. The Supra Motor is an anomoly and they way over-engineered that monster. That is why you see so many souped up Supras. That is also why you see the resale values where they are. Besides, if you haven't figured out yet, BMW doesn't want to go the forced induction route since they are "purists".

One word for you... KABOOM!!!

If they are already having so many problems with the reliability of the S54, what makes you think you will get ANY reliability by stressing it further. The Supra Motor is an anomoly and they way over-engineered that monster. That is why you see so many souped up Supras. That is also why you see the resale values where they are. Besides, if you haven't figured out yet, BMW doesn't want to go the forced induction route since they are "purists".

That's why I said it'd be nice if they could work out the kinks... then turbocharge it. :thumbsup:

The smoothness of the I6 will be missed by most but the new V8's and the like BMW are stamping out will be smooth enough and allow for the HP to be competitive.
I would be willing to bet the new V8 weight will not be an issue due to lighter materials being used on the entire car.

I would say the weight will remain on par with the E46, you might even see a CF roof on the base M3. All will add up to the best performing M3 to date. BMW will not have it any other way.

A perhaps more interesting question albeit oftopic is what Porsche plans to do in the 997 because 400hp will need to be the base if they want to compete a few years down the road...now thats going to give the engineers some homework if they keep a flat 6 configuration.

Here is an off topic and probably a stupid question but what benefits are there to a flat 6 other than low center of gravity. Are there any benefits in smoothness or is it about the same as a V6?

Sppsshht, dont mention the V6...... u will be eaten alive.
Adam.

Sppsshht, dont mention the V6...... u will be eaten alive.
Adam.

lol

Just would like to throw out the fact that Audi opted for a V8 on the S4 that might have something to do with BMW's choice for the E90 as well (From a business and marketing perspective)

Dont believe this is a viable option at all.

Even the loyalists among us want more BHP to keep up with the competiition so based on that, I think the ppl rootin for the I6 are very very limited.

V8 is here to stay.
Adam.

totally agree..................if we have problems now with our I6's then more will surely come with more power coming out of it.........the V8 is the direction they've wanted to go and if they want to pull more power out of that then i say YES GO FOR IT :thumbsup:

BMW designed an entirely new 6 cly for the regular E90 series. It has some extra power and is a bit more efficent I believe.

Any idea if BMW is going to be bringing the direct injection technology used in their V12 for the I6 engines? I heard that it offers greater power for the displacement and better fuel economy as well. That is pretty amazing considering that those two factors usually move in opposite directions.

Yeah Audi put a V8 in the S4 and look what happened - absolutely nothing. It's the slowest car in its class, by far.

I think that the added torque from the V8 is the main reason... when BMW races the M3 in the DTM races it has to have an I6.. and that provides too little torque to be competitive. they have the M3 GTR.... but that's not legal in every racing series. I think that may have quite a bit to do with it

I think that the added torque from the V8 is the main reason... when BMW races the M3 in the DTM races it has to have an I6.. and that provides too little torque to be competitive. they have the M3 GTR.... but that's not legal in every racing series. I think that may have quite a bit to do with it

When the new V8 M3 comes out, the M3 GTR should be legal!!! I think that the requirement was BMW had to be selling a car similar to that in the market. I'm all for a V8 under the hood. Bring it on!!!

I wonder when BMW will throw a V10 or V12 under the hood of an M3. It's only a matter of time.

I wonder when BMW will throw a V10 or V12 under the hood of an M3. It's only a matter of time.

That new V10 sounds pretty sweet. 500HP and 350+ Torque would we insane on an M3. The engine should fit lengthwise since the inline 6 should be longer than the an inline 5 (half of a V10) but that 90 degree V may make it a very tight squeeze. I'm almost certain there is no way to get both the engine and the tranny in there. That may be a good thing since those who love to row for themselves will get to do so!

This could be a new version of the M3 GTR !!!