2006 330i twin-turbo

[VXR SIX]

Will have LESS power than the naturally aspirated current M3.

WTF?

[Scoobz]

Would that be the 335d then?

[johnny88]

The 335i is to bridge the gap between the 260hp 330i and the new 4.0 V8 400hp M3 due in a couple of years.

[tuffer]

[Zod]

I think it's a stupid idea. The 330i has 258 bhp. which is a very deent figure for a non-M car. It is just confusing things to add somethign between it and the 400 bhp M3. In adition, BMW hasn't produced a turbo petrol car since the early 80s 745i. It has relied on enigineering excellence in normally aspirated engines. This is a retrograde step.

[VXR SIX]

Scoobz said:

Would that be the 335d then?

No. Petrol version.

[VXR SIX]

I just think that a twin-turbo petrol 6-pot should have more power than a n/a version.
Hey...I reckon it will be ripe for a nice 400bhp conversion though. Twin-turbos and all that!

[stuh]

johnny88 said:

The 335i is to bridge the gap between the 260hp 330i and the new 4.0 V8 400hp M3 due in a couple of years.

Been getting regular updates from the dealer since i placed my order last year. Latest i heard was that power was closer to 425bhp

Still not convinced about a V8 in the M3 though.

Have to agree re the 330 turbo though. Why bother.

[rj_vaughan]

V8 M3 = DTM compliant? They (Merc/Audi/Opel) all seem to be V8s...

[VXR SIX]

The new M3 (2006) will have the 'old' M5 V8 engine in it. 400bhp will be right, I think.
But that motor is easily fettled to 440bhp, which will make that particular 3-series F A S T !

3-series with 440bhp...mmm...lots more grunt in the low and middle reaches than the current revvy M3, too.

[m12_nathan]

It will have a new 4L v8 based on the 5L v10 from the M5, not the old 5L E39 M5 lump, 100bhp per L+ from the 4L.

[shadowninja]

VXR SIX said:

I just think that a twin-turbo petrol 6-pot should have more power than a n/a version. Hey...I reckon it will be ripe for a nice 400bhp conversion though. Twin-turbos and all that!

i was thinking that. worth getting one and cranking the power to 450bhp with some hybrid turbos just to annoy M3 owners

[VXR SIX]

m12_nathan said:

It will have a new 4L v8 based on the 5L v10 from the M5, not the old 5L E39 M5 lump, 100bhp per L+ from the 4L.

Ah, I like that idea, in that case. Makes more sense to use the smaller, newer, lighter motor in the 2006 M3.

A weekly 'paper had that wrong then! They thought the M5 engine was being used. (Great engine in itself.)

[m12_nathan]

The M5 engine was designed as modular from the start so they could in theory make:

3L v6
4L v8
5L v10
6L v12

Doubt they will ever move away from I6 engines to v6 though.

[VXR SIX]

I never understand why, but many people say that the inline-6 is the ultimate for a smooth engine. I would have thought any V motor above 4 cylinders would be inherently smoother.
Certainly, for an ancient design, my V12 E-Type has a silky motor.

[m12_nathan]

That's because it is 2 I6 engines

[Zod]

VXR SIX said:

I never understand why, but many people say that the inline-6 is the ultimate for a smooth engine. I would have thought any V motor above 4 cylinders would be inherently smoother. Certainly, for an ancient design, my V12 E-Type has a silky motor.

inherent balance. A V6 doesn't have the smoothness of an inline 6 and often needs a balancing shaft to achieve it.

[VXR SIX]

Zod said:

VXR SIX said: I never understand why, but many people say that the inline-6 is the ultimate for a smooth engine. I would have thought any V motor above 4 cylinders would be inherently smoother. Certainly, for an ancient design, my V12 E-Type has a silky motor. inherent balance. A V6 doesn't have the smoothness of an inline 6 and often needs a balancing shaft to achieve it.

I thought 'vees' cancelled out vibes due to the opposite forces and all that?
Straight 4s zing like hell, especially if revved very high. 6s are so different?