BMW M division CEO: No more naturally aspirated M cars.

[565]

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=259763

[Xer0]

Didn't they say they would never make a F/I car a couple years back?

[GoCougs]

Boy, I'm just not a fan of forced induction, but I suppose I could live with it...

But who am I kidding, I don't think I'd ever buy an M car.

[Raza]

It makes sense.  Turbos are better, and they're more fuel efficient than highly tuned naturally aspirated engines.

[Laconian]

It'd be funny to dig up fanboy forum posts about BMW's naturally aspirated purity and contrast that with what they're saying about it now.

It was pretty hilarious to see the Apple fanatics trying to deal with the cognitive dissonance when Apple spontaneously switched from Motorola to Intel.

[sandertheshark]

Excuse me, ///M chief?  Hi, Sander in St. Louis.  Big fan.  Two questions.

1) Umm.... what the fuck are you doing?  and

2) Does this mean the E90/92 M3 will soon become something of a classic?

[r0tor]

I love the roar of the V8's in the M3 and Audi S4/RS4.  The pure mechanical nastiness of the E46 M3 is so energenic.  However, the reality is these engines are very maintenance intesive, costly, and have just rediculously horrendous fuel mileage (this is coming from a rotary engine owner mind you).

Oh how I will miss the sounds of these NA engine, but looking at the new 3.0L supercharged V6 in the S4 its hard to argue against something that provides better performance then the old V8 S4 and also gets 30mpg highway vs the V8's 21mpg...

[the Teuton]

If you're not looking to rev the piss out of the V8 or V10, the engine sounds really lumpy and tractor-like.  It's really not exciting to listen to like BMW's straight sixes.  Also, it doesn't surge instantly like the N54 twin turbo engine.

MexicoCityM3 said that E46 was more fun than the E92 at in-town speeds because the car was less refined and more engaging.  And that's possibly what I dislike the most about the new M3.  It's far too refined to be a sports car.  It if you didn't have the carbon fiber checkered trim and the fat steering wheel, it would feel just like the 325i at city speeds.  It has no grunt unless you put your foot all the way to the floor.  It's as if Honda built a V8.

So call me a nut, but I would like to see the 1er get under 3,000 pounds, shed the nannies in the base trim, and get a turbo four.  I'd like to see the M3 lose 300-400 pounds and get a 3.5 or so turbo six with 400 hp.  Because even with less power, it would definitely have more torque than than pisser of a V8 at low RPMs, and it would definitely feel more fun.

[Submariner]

It'd be funny to dig up fanboy forum posts about BMW's naturally aspirated purity and contrast that with what they're saying about it now.

It was pretty hilarious to see the Apple fanatics trying to deal with the cognitive dissonance when Apple spontaneously switched from Motorola to Intel.

Well...IBM/Motorola...It wasn't purely Motorola since the 68k days.

The dual dual core G5's were quite powerful, and often outperformed similar Intel chips, but my god, has Intel taken off with their i7 and Xeon Chipsets.

Back to the cars...BMW's havent been "pure" since they put 400+ different electronic nannies, ifail, and 20 speed SMG's in their cars.  Going turbo only completes the transition to the dark side.

[Payman]

A next gen 1-series M car, with a 300 hp turbo-4 would be awesome... provided it weighs less than 3000 lb and gotten rid of that horrid sagging belly line.

[Raza]

A next gen 1-series M car, with a 300 hp turbo-4 would be awesome... provided it weighs less than 3000 lb and gotten rid of that horrid sagging belly line.

The 135i already has 300 horsepower. 

[AltinD]

^^ But that's from a Turbo 6, not 4.

[r0tor]

Their I6's are so much more delicous then 4 bangers though...

[nickdrinkwater]

I heard that the next gen 1er and 3er will have only 3-cyl and 4-cyl engines.... no joke...

[r0tor]

They should just downsize the I6...

[Raza]

^^ But that's from a Turbo 6, not 4.

Yeah, which is why I don't understand the move to the turbo four.  Would it really be much lighter on the nose?

[NomisR]

MexicoCityM3 said that E46 was more fun than the E92 at in-town speeds because the car was less refined and more engaging.  And that's possibly what I dislike the most about the new M3.  It's far too refined to be a sports car.  It if you didn't have the carbon fiber checkered trim and the fat steering wheel, it would feel just like the 325i at city speeds.  It has no grunt unless you put your foot all the way to the floor.  It's as if Honda built a V8.

So call me a nut, but I would like to see the 1er get under 3,000 pounds, shed the nannies in the base trim, and get a turbo four.  I'd like to see the M3 lose 300-400 pounds and get a 3.5 or so turbo six with 400 hp.  Because even with less power, it would definitely have more torque than than pisser of a V8 at low RPMs, and it would definitely feel more fun.

I think the dual personality is the beauty of M cars.  At least that's the reason I would get one.  You get the power, handling, delivery of a sports car when out in the open and at the limit.  But when  you're in the city, it's back to being a gentleman, calm, finesse, smooth.  It's a great compromise. 

If you want a purebred car, you wouldn't be looking at a M3 to begin with.  Plus, a really focused car doesn't really sell in the volume BMW would like. 

[sportyaccordy]

If you're not looking to rev the piss out of the V8 or V10, the engine sounds really lumpy and tractor-like.  It's really not exciting to listen to like BMW's straight sixes.  Also, it doesn't surge instantly like the N54 twin turbo engine.

MexicoCityM3 said that E46 was more fun than the E92 at in-town speeds because the car was less refined and more engaging.  And that's possibly what I dislike the most about the new M3.  It's far too refined to be a sports car.  It if you didn't have the carbon fiber checkered trim and the fat steering wheel, it would feel just like the 325i at city speeds.  It has no grunt unless you put your foot all the way to the floor.  It's as if Honda built a V8.

So call me a nut, but I would like to see the 1er get under 3,000 pounds, shed the nannies in the base trim, and get a turbo four.  I'd like to see the M3 lose 300-400 pounds and get a 3.5 or so turbo six with 400 hp.  Because even with less power, it would definitely have more torque than than pisser of a V8 at low RPMs, and it would definitely feel more fun.

The romance of a race car on the street is short lived... believe me. Low end torque, a nice highway ride.... in my opinion those are more valuable than the perfect WOT engine note or incredible feedback at 10/10ths.

[cawimmer430]

Oh my God they are like copying AMG! 

[sportyaccordy]

Oh my God they are like copying AMG! 

AMG switched back to all N/A from what I understand...???

[cawimmer430]

AMG switched back to all N/A from what I understand...???

Yep. Only the '65 models still have turbos. Two of 'em even. I was making a "fanboy comment" with my previous post. 

[Submariner]

AMG switched back to all N/A from what I understand...???

The will be using turbos in some models, but N/A mostly.

[mrs hounddog]

The will be using turbos in some models, but N/A mostly.

I really wish my SUV had a twin turbo 6 or the 4.4 turbo 8.  The engine in it is perfectly fine but I like the idea of the turbo technology, I would really enjoy it if it were supercharged as well. 

[the Teuton]

Mrs. H, have you gotten to drive an X6 xDrive35i yet?  For a 6 cylinder that weighs almost as much as your X5, it's absolutely electric.

[mrs hounddog]

No I haven't.  When I was looking at and ordering my car the X6 either wasn't out or they didn't have any I don't remember.  I'm of the opinion if I'm not looking for a car I'm not looking at cars.  Just the way I am and I really don't have the time.  But I do like the X6 it's just not executed well but it's a good idea and seems to be a few around up here.

[the Teuton]

I hated driving the X6.  It has terrible visibility, and there's no real reason why it's only a 4-seater.  But the engine and a little crisper steering were by far the nicest things about it.

[mrs hounddog]

If you hated driving it why would suggest it?  To suggest one then berate it is counter to intelligent discussion unless I misunderstand your point, which is possible. 

[the Teuton]

If you hated driving it why would suggest it?  To suggest one then berate it is counter to intelligent discussion unless I misunderstand your point, which is possible. 

The package in and of itself sucked.  But the engine was a gem.