More power, or more cylinders?

[Triumph Man]

More and more these days we are seeing 6 cylinder engines replaced with turbocharged 4 cylinder engines. BMW being a case in point.

So which would you rather have? One example could be the old E90 325i being replaced with the new 328i, more power, fewer cylinders. (I know that maybe it isn't a direct replacement, but still)

Personally, I will always go for more cylinders where I can. For me the noise of a car is part of the fun, so I wouldn't mind sacrificing some power for a good soundtrack.

Another example that springs to mind is the Lexus IS200/Toyota Altezza. As the Altezza, it is offered with a 2.0 4 cylinder engine producing somewhere around 200bhp. In the IS200, it has a 2.0 6 cylinder producing somewhere around 150bhp. In this case, I would still take 6 cylinders, even with a 50bhp deficit.

[Triumph Man]

Oldandslow said:

I know what you mean. A large American V8 is on my wish list, never mind that it won't be very economical, refined or powerful. It's about the sensation. A turbo charged 4 makes more sense on paper but doesn't have the soul.

Exactly.

[Triumph Man]

Personally, I would rather drive my Triumph with its (albeit underpowered) roaring straight 6, an engine that loves to be revved and most definitely has a soul, rather than a new BMW 328i. For starters, I would be disappointed that a car like that doesn't have 6 cylinders. No I haven't driven one before anyone says anything. I expect it's very capable and powerful, 245 bhp compared to err 84 bhp should be more than adequate. It just doesn't appeal though. I think I would always be slightly disappointed that I wasn't in one with 6 cylinders.

[Triumph Man]

nagsheadwarrior said:

Almost always going to be more cylinders but it does depend on what its in.
In smaller cars then a revvy 4pot has its pluses, I had the misfortune of having a Mazda MX3 as a courtesy car while my mk3 Prelude was in the garage years ago,a newer 1.8 V6 versus a 1990 2.0 4pot in the Honda and my Prelude was a much better drive, the small 6 cylinder lump was horrible in a small car.

Yeah that's a good point. I think when I wrote the OP, in my head I was thinking 3-series sized and above. Some cars are better with fizzy little 4-pots, and some work better with 5s and upwards.