What is your favourite engine configuration?

[cerb4.5lee]

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]

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]

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]

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!

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.

[Crumpet]

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]

cerb4.5lee said:

I deliberately didn't mention turbo's either...because that is another can of worms too!

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.

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]

NA V8 every time. Especially after my recent purchase which is powered by the legendary M156.

[DaveTheRave87]

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]

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]

Then a straight six.

[fido]

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]

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]

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]

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]

I’m sort of attached to my V6s.

[cerb4.5lee]

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 ..

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.

[cerb4.5lee]

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.

[andy43]

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

[fido]

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.

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]

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.