Last great engines in relatively "normal" cars

[E90_M3Ross]

What do you think are some of the last great, characterful engines fitted to a car that isn't necessarily something very expensive (e.g. Lamborghini, Ferrari, etc)?

Having recently driven a brand new BMW M4, the engine had stonking performance, but it lacked in character compared to my old NA V8 and it got me wondering, what are the last great engines?

I think the 550bhp supercharged 5.0 in the Jaguar range is a great one. I don't think BMW have done one since the V8/V10 M3/M5/M6 (I have driven a later 4.4 M6 and found it very competent but pretty dull for what it was). Audi - not sure....perhaps the later NA RS4/RS5? Merc? I gather the 4.0 TT unit currently found in the likes of the E63 are pretty good, but the earlier 5.5 and 6.2 are more charismatic.

Ford....do they still do the 5.0 Mustang? I've not driven one, or been in one, so can't comment.

For me, I think the latest I can personally think of, certainly that I've experienced, is the Jag engine.

[anonymous-user]

I really enjoyed the V10 in my old S8. Forget all the “Lambo engine” stuff; it’s just a great sounding engine and kind of cool for not being an 8 or a 12.

[Jonmx]

Despite it's issues, I quite liked the N52 straight 6 in my old 330i. Sounded great, had enough power to be enjoyable and was naturally aspirated without the daft turbo wizardry of later BMW models.

[undred orse]

The Twinair in my Panda Cross 4x4

[cerb4.5lee]

Although I'm not fond of the noise it makes(from the exhaust), I think the S54 in the E46 M3/Z4M deserves a mention.

[E63eeeeee...]

I'm naturally going to vote for the AMG 5.5 twin turbo. Can't make your mind up between silly displacement and silly turbos? Why not have both.

In terms of timing it was apparently sold in the E63 until 2016, and in some other relatively ordinary cars until 2019.

[2 GKC]

Jonmx said:

Despite it's issues, I quite liked the N52 straight 6 in my old 330i. Sounded great, had enough power to be enjoyable and was naturally aspirated without the daft turbo wizardry of later BMW models.

Came here to say the same. A veritable masterpiece

[cerb4.5lee]

Jonmx said:

Despite it's issues, I quite liked the N52 straight 6 in my old 330i. Sounded great, had enough power to be enjoyable and was naturally aspirated without the daft turbo wizardry of later BMW models.

I liked that engine in my E90 330i too. It was a bit muted noise wise for my taste though, but I believe that the N52 is more vocal in the 130i/Z4 in fairness.

The VQ 3.7 V6 NA that I have in the 370Z is quite a marmite engine, however I am quite fond of it though.

[finlo]

The V6 in earlier Mondeo's was a peach.

[dhutch]

2 GKC said:

Jonmx said:

Despite it's issues, I quite liked the N52 straight 6 in my old 330i. Sounded great, had enough power to be enjoyable and was naturally aspirated without the daft turbo wizardry of later BMW models.

Came here to say the same. A veritable masterpiece

It's not a Ward's engine for no reason! I have the M54 in my E46 330ci.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

I'll go the 3.2 VR6 in the MK4 and mk5 Golf and the Mini R53 supercharged 1.6. Very different engines in very different cars but equally, both make the car what it is.

[StuE39]

I'm going to say K20A/Z engines. A Civic is a relatively normal car, even in Type R guise when compared with Lamborghini, Ferrari etc.

The later K20Z4 engine found in the FN2 has balancer shafts fitted. This makes the engine very smooth with little to no coarseness in the rev. range. Top that off with the 8300 rpm limiter, responsive throttle and a nice sound to boot.

[Speed1283]

2 GKC said:

Jonmx said:

Despite it's issues, I quite liked the N52 straight 6 in my old 330i. Sounded great, had enough power to be enjoyable and was naturally aspirated without the daft turbo wizardry of later BMW models.

Came here to say the same. A veritable masterpiece

Loved it in my Z4 coupe, sounded great at full chat, but quiet on a cruise, 40mpg+ if taking it steady (important on a long road trip with a small tank) and mine did over 100k miles without issue.

[andy43]

I had the N52 in a 3 series estate. Was good. Super smooth.
5 litre n/a V8 in my Lexus is still being produced.. bonus : it’s not got stop-start
That 6.2 was the end of an era for AMG.. first they did turbos and now it’s electric motors and 4 cylinders.

[Heaveho]

Porsche flat 6.
Lexus V8 and V10
Nissan Skyline / GTR
Audi V10

[swisstoni]

The W12 in the VW Phaeton was a pretty wild combo.

[Pablo16v]

I was going to suggest the Passat W8 but then I remembered how disappointed I was when I test drove one. It didn't sound that great (not in the same way a V8 generally does) and it wasn't particularly fast either so while it looked good on paper it just didn't float my boat. Fair play to VW for trying something different though.

[cerb4.5lee]

finlo said:

The V6 in earlier Mondeo's was a peach.

I've had a couple of those and I was a fan as well.

[Hereward]

swisstoni said:

The W12 in the VW Phaeton was a pretty wild combo.

Good shout.

20 years ago VW was producing the Phaeton and Touareg with W12 petrol and V10 diesels.

[Jader1973]

LS3.

Preferably wrapped in a Series 2 VF Holden Commodore.