[BLITZ]

Some people are forgetting that they did a 4cyl E30 in the US.

[bdardashti]

Originally Posted by Wolf

i dont think it will get a 3 cylinder engine on a heavy 3er, maybe the FWD yeah but definitely not on the 3er, too much vibrations from the engine plus its a heavy car lol. just imagine yourself in a traffic jam and then feel the vibrationsssssssssssssssssssssssssssss. turboed 4 i guess

Although the F30 is larger than the E90 in every aspect, there is 99% chance it'll weigh less, even if it's just a small difference.

The current E90 316d has a 2.0L 4-cyl with 116hp; the 318d has it with 143hp, and the 320d ED has it with 161hp. And people buy TONS of these cars in Europe (not sure about the 320d ED, but I saw lots of the 318d).

With a lighter body and a lighter engine, 150hp won't be too little for a city daily driver. Especially with the higher (and low-RPM availability of) torque in a diesel.

Finally, I'm not sure about the vibrations. I've never sat in a 3-cylinder car, but I drove a few 4 cylinder diesels (even from lower brands), and it was fine. Have you actually driven a 3-cylinder diesel? And I'm sure even if other brands' cars have vibrations, BMW can minimize it.

[Touring]

Originally Posted by ChPh

Sound like real machine
LoL

The real machine is a tractor?

okay, you are lucky, but I like the engine sounds too, if the engine is inline 6 petrol engine

Of course I prefer the sound of a six, thats why I drive my 330xi everyday. But do you like the sound of a four cylinder? To me it just sounds nothing.

According to German motorpress BMW will stick with a 500ccm cylinder as a base which they will make 3, 4 , 6 and 8 cylinder versions of (1,5 liter, 2,0l, 3,0l and 4l).

The upcoming 3 cylinder will come in diesel and petrol versions.

With the budget deficits in EU and USA and the sortage of oil ( a barrel of crude oil is getting close to 100 dollars now), its just logical that the fuelprices will increase in the near future. So there will be a marked for a three cylinder BMW , even in the states.

But its nothing to worry about. A 3 cylinder petrol engine with turbos around 180 hp will be great in a 1 and 3 series. And they will sound great too!

[wilstave]

3-cyl diesel engines.....FWD cars.....all this stuff is starting to concern me, as much as I don't believe it all just yet.....all of my future purchases will be exclusively with the M division....jesus

[DaveL]

I think it looks awesome so maybe it's time to climb back into a sedan.....Do not like current e90

[HVYWGHT]

With the downsizing, the entry 3er will have a 3 cylinder in Europe. If anyone can make a great engine and a characterful 3 cyl it's BMW. This engine will be the next gen MINI's too as sharing has become the big thing amongst BMW Group's smallest entries.

I doubt it'll be in the entry level 3er here in the USA. The turbo four certainly will though. I remember the E36 318i which was slower but more involving, especially in manual guise, with slightly better handling given the lighter engine out front than the 325i.

As long as turbo lag is absent, something like a little turbo burble comes out the tailpipe, and the handling and steering feel remain or improve, I'd take the turbo four. There is nothing like a NA I6, but I have to be realistic about what will be offered in these times.

[Brandon26pdx]

Originally Posted by GuyOh

render looks hotttt

yep! Gonna be stylin' all over the E90 if it comes to showrooms looking like that render.

[Brandon26pdx]

Originally Posted by wilstave

3-cyl diesel engines.....FWD cars.....all this stuff is starting to concern me, as much as I don't believe it all just yet.....all of my future purchases will be exclusively with the M division....jesus

They wont sell any 3 banging BMW's in North America. No market for it.

[vladberca]

These downsized engines are developed especilally for european market!

[Diver]

It's real hard to way what we will see over here. The new US MPG rules are an uncharted territory. In Europe consumers naturally gravitate to highly efficient cars because of high fuel prices. The political situation in the US mandates lower fuel prices with the objective of efficiency being met by providing the consumer with no choice but to buy more efficient vehicles. Because the US standards are based on vehicle footprint, the task is particularly difficult to design a small car with high performance. Perhaps BMW will have enough extra MPG credits from Mini sales to offset a failure to meet standards in the rest of the line.

2011 standards are only slightly higher than the old rules, but there is a big jump going into 2012. This could have an effect on the availability of certain models.

[E46toE90]

hmmm

[ViperJPB]

It may be slower...but don't forget the Vision Concept is a 3 cylinder too. Though assisted by several electric engines. And that thing is faster than some M models. Less cylinders with assistance from other devices seems to be the future to keep up with CAFE.

[trk06]

What some people dont know is; in a lot of countries people get taxed depending on the size of the engine of their vehicle.

when all ( tax, fuel cost, cost of maintenance, etc..) added it becomes very expensive to own a vehicle.

I think smaller engine with good efficency by Bmw will do well in US. Let's face it fuel will get more expensive as time passes.
in recent years so many people downgraded as a result of high fuel costs. it looks like we are really spoiled in the US.
Let's enjoy it while we can fellas

[Quasimodem]

It would be a 3 cylinderies.

[ChPh]

Originally Posted by Touring

Of course I prefer the sound of a six, thats why I drive my 330xi everyday. But do you like the sound of a four cylinder? To me it just sounds nothing.

According to German motorpress BMW will stick with a 500ccm cylinder as a base which they will make 3, 4 , 6 and 8 cylinder versions of (1,5 liter, 2,0l, 3,0l and 4l).

The upcoming 3 cylinder will come in diesel and petrol versions.

With the budget deficits in EU and USA and the sortage of oil ( a barrel of crude oil is getting close to 100 dollars now), its just logical that the fuelprices will increase in the near future. So there will be a marked for a three cylinder BMW , even in the states.

But its nothing to worry about. A 3 cylinder petrol engine with turbos around 180 hp will be great in a 1 and 3 series. And they will sound great too!

Okay, okay. But 3 cylinder is too much, viva la Fiat TwinAir 2 cylinder, ollé

[GUNN IT]

1.5 liter 3 Cylinder Engine will never work in US. They shouldn't even dare bringing it here.

[omerthe1st]

Originally Posted by GUNN IT

1.5 liter 3 Cylinder Engine will never work in US. They shouldn't even dare bringing it here.

Agreed!

[My535i]

+1...I think a 4 cyl turbo would be better suited to US market....also if it can be tuned like n54/n55 and Audi/VW 2.0T even better!! I think Audi 2.0T picks up 70hp/70tq with tune alone would be kind of cool especially in a 1 series!!

Originally Posted by research

dont understand why the even the 4 cyl is not good enough for USA in BMW but good enough in an Audi...

[masamune]

Originally Posted by noro

You do realize that it's only one engine option right? I don't think BMW is about to give up on 300+ HP 3ers.

When everything is said and done and you tack on the options, the car is still going to be 40k. I never mentioned anything about 300+ hp cars, only that the price they are going to offer this at will probably be absurdly high.

[carve]

I think the flat 2 out of a motorcycle would be smoother.

They are already developing this engine for the efficient dynamics. Why not put it in the 3?

I just wish they'd make it a 2-stroke if they're going 3-cyl. Then it'll sound like a 6 cyl and lose even more weight

(With direct injection, it's possible to make a fairly clean 2-stroke by injecting fuel while the exhaust port is closing.)

This probably won't come to the US anytime soon though.

[SCOTT26]

No 3er @ IAA as the 1er will debut there, later in the year the 3er is revealed.

[MassBimmer]

It was just announced that the 4-cylinder turbos offered in the Z4 will be 175-hp and 235-hp variants in addition to the range-topping 300-hp sDrive35i. A 150-175-hp 3 series won't survive in the US - which would be around the output I would expect to see from a 3-clyinder turbo.