Anyone else heard this? - Rumor? - Complete B.S.? I've heard this from a BMW salesman and on a non-BMW forum. It was said that BMW will no longer use the "current" high-reving V8 in the M3. They have realized it was not necessarily the best choice...I assume due to low torque, especially in light of the numbers produced by some of the cars direct competitors. Furthermore, the new engine will be some version of a "twin-turbo"! Either a 6, or an 8. - Anyone?
I have not heard this rumor yet. But I am not surprised. Given that you can get a lot of power out of a blown motor and have better control of emissions and MPG. Too bad, I love high revving naturally aspirated motors. It is what separated the M3 from it's competitors in the first place. But I guess you can only take that design so far. GR
What?? They dare sacrifice that SOUND?? The SOUND ALONE is worth buying that car! I haven't heard of this either. It really must be a rumor.
I'm told it is "old news" by now. That the decision was made by BMW last week. I have not been able to find anything "official" to confirm or refute it. I have asked the poster to provide an "official source" as a reference. Still waiting for a response, but I figured this "old news" would certainly be available on the BMW CCA E92 M3 Forum. I only wonder about it because, the local sales rep had also alluded to the upcoming change to a twin-turbo V8, or twin-turbo 6 for the M3 as well. Things that make ya go....Hmmmmmm!!!!
Considering it is possible to make over 400RWHP with a 335i using the incorrectly sized stock turbos (beofore they eat themselves, that is) it would be a no breainer that M can build a 400+ HP twin turbo with larger turbos that won't eat itself. I still like NA cars, though.
Seems to be what Steve Dinan has already done with the 335i. I believe it's 407 hp and 427 lbs tq. Speaking of normally aspirated...it doesn't help that the AMG C63 (although w/ a 6.2 liter V8) puts out 457 hp and 441 lbs of torque. The M3 gets spanked in straight line by the C63 and the reviews caution where one should place their bets against a Dinan 335i as well. That said, I would like to know if this is in fact the "official word" from BMW on the current V8 M3 engine. Hopefully BMW marketing will also consider bringing back a couple of other things for the 60-70K M3 as well. -The oil dipstick. -An actual spare tire. Requiring a trip to the dealership to have the car hooked up to "HAL" to determine actual oil levels and a can of High-Tech "Fix-A-Flat Goo" for flat/blown tires is a joke. Called curiously enough (drum roll...please), the magnificent "M-mobility" system. More like "IM-mobility" system to me. You'll wait stranded on the side of the road for joe bag-a-donuts andhis tow truck to haul your car to BFE just to fix a flat, and hand you the bill for anything over $100.00 for the honor of being towed due to a...FLAT TIRE???!!! C'mon guys. That's enough already!
There is a brief article in the December 8 edition of AutoWeek that discusses this issue. The article states that "tough emission standards worldwide and soaring manufacturing costs in Germany are behind a decision by BMW to switch from high-revving naturally aspirated engines in its M high-performance vehicles to turbocharged direct-injection powerplants, beginning as early as 2009." "...it raises questions about the immediate future of the M3's 4.0 liter V8 and the M5's 5.0 liter V10." "Both engines will make way for forced-induction engines in coming years, according to high-ranking BMW sources." The article also adds, "The first M vehicle to make the move to a turbo powerplant is the X6 xDrive M."
You can also get info here. Being able to rev near 8000 rpm is irresistible temptation, but tuned TT V8 also sounds real good to me. http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/11/27/m-powerplants-to-go-turbo/
Turbo M3 its been in the works for sometime, it was leak sometime earlier this year, seems like its just now being formalize. I dont know what to make of the press release yet, having recently just gotten a DCT M3. I cant find any reason why my current cant sustain me for a little while, but then again I said the same thing with my last e46 M <grin> ............................this puppies are so addictive
Thanks Lonestar... I guess it is true afterall. Thanks for the reference. Does this make purchasing a current V8 M3 a smart investment decision? Seems like this will make them a rare "limited edition" series M3 in a short time from now!
