What is your favourite engine configuration?
What is your favourite engine configuration?
Author
Discussion

cerb4.5lee

Original Poster:

38,434 posts

197 months

Yesterday (12:07)
quotequote all
Do you prefer an engine in a V configuration?(V6/V8 etc), or do you prefer a straight 6 or a 3/4 or 5 inline configuration?

For me personally it would be a V8, but I also have a soft spot for a straight 6/V6 engine too though.

So what is your favourite engine configuration?

brillomaster

1,536 posts

187 months

Yesterday (12:13)
quotequote all
A multiple of 5 or 6 for me.

Realistically, a 6 cylinder. In order of preference, flat 6, v6 then straight 6.

Oddball choice would be an inline 5, or a v10.

Never really been a v8 fan, but my next fun car might be a v8 as I can't afford the v10 version.

markcoopers

692 posts

210 months

Yesterday (12:18)
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You can’t answer that, all have merit, and it depends on its application. Not all V8’s (and any other configurations )are equal.

Besides the answer is NA anything on open itb’s.

cerb4.5lee

Original Poster:

38,434 posts

197 months

Yesterday (12:25)
quotequote all
markcoopers said:
You can t answer that, all have merit, and it depends on its application. Not all V8 s (and any other configurations )are equal.

Besides the answer is NA anything on open itb s.
I deliberately didn't mention turbo's either...because that is another can of worms too! biggrin

It is a bit difficult to answer as you say, and in my ideal world, I'd love to put the S55 engine from the F82 M4 into an E30 M3 for example. I'd imagine that engine in something as relatively light as the E30 would be an absolute riot for sure. driving

Crumpet

4,594 posts

197 months

Yesterday (12:28)
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TLDR: NA or Supercharged V8 > Any V12 > Straight six > Any other 5/6/8 > 3 cylinder > 4 cylinder

Never really been overly excited by V6s, even though I’ve had five of them. Also not particularly taken by my current flat six but do like the sound of a high revving GT3 flat six. I did like the straight six in a Z4M I had for a while.

All my favourite cars have been V8s, with the best being the supercharged Jaguar 5.0 litre. That engine is just awesome. Although I’m not fussed about modern turbo V8s.

I also enjoyed the Aston twin turbo V12.


markcoopers

692 posts

210 months

Yesterday (12:29)
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cerb4.5lee said:
I deliberately didn't mention turbo's either...because that is another can of worms too! biggrin

It is a bit difficult to answer as you say, and in my ideal world, I'd love to put the S55 engine from the F82 M4 into an E30 M3 for example. I'd imagine that engine in something as relatively light as the E30 would be an absolute riot for sure. driving
See I would rather tune the original 4pot to an air ripping monster. Sure I might be some 100+bhp off of your V8, but far happier. However would I want the same tuned motor in the M4….nope. But the Z4 GT3 with the V8 is a personal fav.

That said Please Santa can I have a BDA engine?

EK9_CTR

612 posts

151 months

Yesterday (14:24)
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NA V8 every time. Especially after my recent purchase which is powered by the legendary M156.

DaveTheRave87

2,152 posts

106 months

Yesterday (14:34)
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3 Cylinder Turbo.

I'm not going to try to claim it's the best because it would be very easy to prove me wrong but it's my favourite.

It's unbalanced nature gives it character and that character shows through at low speeds so it can put a smile on your face while you're negotiating rush hour ring road traffic.

Xenoous

1,870 posts

75 months

Yesterday (14:38)
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I'm very partial to the i5 of the Volvo T5 in the Focus. I loved the sound it made and miss mine dearly. One of the best sounding cars on our roads, in my humble opinion.

otolith

62,555 posts

221 months

Yesterday (14:40)
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Then a straight six.


fido

17,950 posts

272 months

Yesterday (14:48)
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EK9_CTR said:
NA V8 every time. Especially after my recent purchase which is powered by the legendary M156.
Waits for OP to mention M3 ..

BrettMRC

5,138 posts

177 months

Yesterday (14:54)
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Rotary every time, 2 or 3 rotors are lovely - I've never had, and probably never will get the chance to try a 4 rotor though.


Pistons... 4 is boring, almost any other combination is better from a feel and sound perspective.

Riley Blue

22,547 posts

243 months

Yesterday (15:00)
quotequote all
Having owned or driven cars with engines having three, four, five six and eight cylinders it's the first and last that impressed me the most for polar opposite reasons. One needed wringing within an inch of its life to get the best out of it whilst the other effortlessly did what it said on the tin.

anyoldcardave

936 posts

84 months

Yesterday (15:01)
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Just from my car history and the best cars I have owned, straight 6. Love a V8, but not the fuel bills, quite like the 5,s too, got two at the moment. ST and T5.

I was once told that straight 6 and V12 are the only ones naturally balanced, no idea if it is true.?

GAjon

3,933 posts

230 months

Yesterday (15:01)
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I’m sort of attached to my V6s.



cerb4.5lee

Original Poster:

38,434 posts

197 months

Yesterday (15:03)
quotequote all
fido said:
EK9_CTR said:
NA V8 every time. Especially after my recent purchase which is powered by the legendary M156.
Waits for OP to mention M3 ..
hehe

The pitch forks will probably come out for me, but I did prefer N62 V8 4.8 NA in the X5 in comparison to the S65 V8 4.0 NA in the M3 though. getmecoat

cerb4.5lee

Original Poster:

38,434 posts

197 months

Yesterday (15:06)
quotequote all
otolith said:


Then a straight six.
I wouldn't mind trying a rotary engine to see what they're like, I always thought the RX8 made a bit of a funny noise though. Plus I've lusted after the RX7 for as long as I can remember too. cool

andy43

11,852 posts

271 months

Yesterday (15:23)
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V8 all day long. Maybe V6 second.
The straight sixes I’ve had (eg one of BMWs best the N52) were great but not a patch on a V8.
Note : I haven’t had a V10/12 yet smile

fido

17,950 posts

272 months

Yesterday (15:40)
quotequote all
cerb4.5lee said:
The pitch forks will probably come out for me, but I did prefer N62 V8 4.8 NA in the X5 in comparison to the S65 V8 4.0 NA in the M3 though. getmecoat
The N62 wasn't the best display of BMW engineering - valve stem seals failing, excessive coolant loss ...

4 is 'boring' but it's also the 'right' length. Hence it's popularity and V8s.

rottenegg

1,033 posts

80 months

Yesterday (15:46)
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Straight 6 hooked up to a decent auto for everyday commuting smoothness, and a V8 for fun.

4 pots and manuals have been evacuated from my life, permanently, because after 30+ years of using them, I've come to the conclusion they are sheet.