[lyndon_h]

Originally Posted by noro

This is a nice attempt but the flaw is that you are considering the horsepower numbers and not the torque curves. Max horsepower rating it just ONE point on the torque curve. 2 engines with identical max horsepower rating may have very different personalities. Consider for example the M3 and the 335. Under normal driving circumstances they have essentially the same oomph, but on paper they are 100+ horsepower apart.

To me a good metric of a daily driving car is the time it takes to cover 5-60MPH in 2nd gear.

The avg buyer knows nothing about the torque curves or anything that us enthusiast do. The avg buyer can't feel the difference between engines that have similar hp. All they care about is "which car has a V6? My first car was a 4 cylinder and I don't want another one? Which car gets better gas mileage? Which car requires cheaper fuel? Which has better resale and is rated higher in reliability by Consumer Reports."

[jpuff]

Originally Posted by Craven 328

A RWD Turbo 4 could be fun. It would be just a matter of time before BMS gets a hold of one and the "JB4" is made, and your boosting the crap out of the little thing. A Turbo 6 is better for power, but a 4 has potential.

I dont really buy a BMW for gas mileage, if i wanted that id get a TDI.

If BMW learned anything from the N54, it's probably that they will want to make sure that no tune will allow any car to outrun the M models. To me, this means they'll make it very hard to put bigger turbo's on the car, the engine will probably only be able to take 5psi more than it comes with, and the engine will be under built to discourage easy aftermarket tuning. I think BMW made a big mistake with the N54 and I don't think they'll be repeating it.

Here's how they're going to do it.

Turbo's welded onto the engine so people can't easily swap bigger turbo's in.
Fuel injectors (or whatever you want to call it) don't have the ability to support higher fuel demands from the ECU.
Engine internals will not support more than 20 additional horsepower
Transmission won't be good for more power

BMW learned very quickly from the N54, which is why they brought out the N55 which, surprise surprise, doesn't tune as well as the 54.

BMW will never again release an engine that will easily allow for 100 whp gains.

[TommyK]

but dont you think BMW might want to stick with its roots and keep the NA I-6 engine here in america, im sure they will do a FI 4 but i can seeing them keeping that in Europe.
i honestly see BMW making the the new F30 come with 2 petrol engine choices in america: a updated 328 engine (this would be a 330 today) and a updated 335 engine (a 335is today).

i cant see them changing the logo from 335 to 340, i think they will keep the 335.

if im wrong dont bash me i havnt been keeping up with all the F30s stuff

[SamS]

Originally Posted by TommyK

but dont you think BMW might want to stick with its roots...

I don't think it is as much about sticking to roots, as it is mandated fuel economy standards. In reference to the F30, a BMW insider has already stated publicly that "the new engines that replace the old six cylinders are surprisingly more efficient and powerful."

http://www.**************.com/3-seri...tml#post469393

[pruettfan]

The big question in my mind is how much the F30 will weigh. I would give up a few HP in exchange for a significant weight reduction over the E90.

[Atombyte]

Originally Posted by pruettfan

The big question in my mind is how much the F30 will weigh. I would give up a few HP in exchange for a significant weight reduction over the E90.

If history is any indication, it will weigh a couple hundred pounds more than the current model. We can hope that's not the case this time, but I seriously doubt it will have any significant weight reduction over the current model.

[noro]

Originally Posted by tgb335i

If history is any indication, it will weigh a couple hundred pounds more than the current model. We can hope that's not the case this time, but I seriously doubt it will have any significant weight reduction over the current model.

it is highly likely that the less powered version will weigh less. For example the 328i weighs as much as an E46 330i which, in all fairness, is the comparable model and not the 335i.

[John_01]

BMW has built their reputation on this type of engine - I think it would be a MASSIVE mistake not to offer it at all. Its a point of product differentiation that shouldn't be taken too lightly by the marketing department.

Turbo 4 will be good for the 1 series, but F30 is perfect for NA 6 cylinder.