Best Engine Builder Overall ?

[S3000]

I know there are so many car manufacturers with specialisations in each segment ( like Porsche/Boxers, Mazdas/rotary, Honda/Small NA engines).

But who do you think is the best overall engine manufacturer ? From a compromise of Economy/Performance/Reliability i have to go with BMWs or Porsches.

Your opinion ?

[Pig Skill]

BMW. No contest

[LHD]

BMW have won Engine of The Year more times than anyone so it needs to be them.

Porsche historically yes but have rather let the side down recently. The Metzger flat-6's are a work of art however.

[Yachtworker]

Fiat, Think the engines are the best bit esp the 1.2 FIRE.

[thinfourth2]

Cosworth

[Willy Nilly]

Cummins

[v8will]

Not a manufacturer per se but a Vagina is the best engine. takes any size piston, starts with one finger, self lubricates, performs it's own oil change every 4 weeks... Just a pity the management system is so temperamental.

(BMW to answer the OP)

[wackojacko]

BMW.

[mister.t]

Got to be BMW.

Powers the McLaren F1, M3 CSL, *35d, and so so many more.

[Mastodon2]

For me it has to be AMG. I cannot think of a bad word said about their engines, and their 7.3L engine as used in the Zonda and some very rare Mercedes AMG cars, that is sublime.

I love the Nissan RB26DETT, the 2.6L twin turbo Skyline engine, but I cannot think of any other amazing engines Nissan have made off the top of my head to warrant a vote from me.

[varsas]

Not difficult to support BMW.

They make the most economical/powerful diesels, a wide range of engines from small and economical to large and powerful...including high reving screamers and big lunged V12's...they had the first 100bhp/litre engine in any sort of 'normal' car (BMW M3 evo), one of the first turbo'd cars (2002 turbo), arguably the best engine ever made (McLaren F1). No matter what your constraints (money or fuel economy) a BMW engine will be among the best available.

[nuster100]

Nissan. The RB26DETT was a work of genius, not many engines can be pushed to over 1000BHP

[varsas]

Mastodon2 said:

For me it has to be AMG. I cannot think of a bad word said about their engines, and their 7.3L engine as used in the Zonda and some very rare Mercedes AMG cars, that is sublime.

I understand what you are saying but normal people can't have them. It's fairly easy to make a good engine when price and economy are not an issue...plenty can do it, Ferrari, Lamborghini etc. I think the best engine maker should also make more normal engines that mere mortals can enjoy.

[bazking69]

On the petrol front, with particular reference to the tried and tested straight 6, I'd agree with the BMW comments.

[George H]

I would go for VAG group. They seem to have pretty much every base covered from the super economical 1.2 turbo diesel from the Bluemotion Polo, all the way to the 8 litre W16 from the Veyron.

I like their use of twincharged engines too.

[MartyPubes]

Not usually a fan on BMW as an overall package, but in terms of engines they're usually a generation ahead of the other German marques, never mind the rest of the world.

[Mastodon2]

varsas said:

I understand what you are saying but normal people can't have them. It's fairly easy to make a good engine when price and economy are not an issue...plenty can do it, Ferrari, Lamborghini etc. I think the best engine maker should also make more normal engines that mere mortals can enjoy.

Hmm, the word "Overall" takes all the fun out of it! In that case, it's hard not nominate BMW. However, I think Volvo's turbo inline 5 cylinder engines are a great - power, decent acceleration despite Volvos not really being lightweights and a great balance of tone, smoothness and volume for a comfortable cruiser. They give a great 5 cylinder noise when pushing on but are very quiet when tootling. Volvo have made some pretty good performance engines as well as the mundane, sensible stuff.

[Tango13]

BMW. The last manufacturer to win an F1 championship with a road car based engine, a turbo varient of the M10 boosted to 1300bhp+ from 1.5 litres.

They have built 1,2,3,4,6,8,10 and 12 cylinder engines for both bikes and cars.

The only other company in the running is Honda with some of their gem like bike engines from the sixties or the fearsome 500GP engines in the NSR, manic turbo V6's in F1 during the eighties and the NR750 roadbike which was once described as Mr Honda's way of saying fk you to everyone who mocked them for the NR500 race bike

[Johnboy Mac]

Willy Nilly said:

Cummins

Good one!


I'd rate Honda, up there with BMW without doubt.

[rhinochopig]

Honda. From the 50cc c50 to their f1 and mgp engines to their super reliable vtecs. The honda6 amazed modern engineers when they tried to recreate it for a run of replicas.