BMW engines

[outnumbered]

Those Bavarians really know how to build an engine, don't they ?

I got to thinking about this today as we've had an 08 reg 525d on loan while the wife's 5er was in the garage, and even this relatively modest oil burner was a peach: Smooth, refined, powerful, torquey, and even makes quite a decent racket when pressing on.

But when you consider their other achievements of the last few years, like the S54 ultimate straight six for the CSL, M5/6 V10, twin-turbo 35d, E92 M3 V8, new 23d.. No other manufacturer has such a wide range of class-leading powerplants. Here's hoping they keep it up...

[gwatson]

outnumbered said:

I got to thinking about this today as we've had an 08 reg 525d on loan while the wife's 5er was in the garage, and even this relatively modest oil burner was a peach: Smooth, refined, powerful, torquey, and even makes quite a decent racket when pressing on.

I was very very impressed with a 330d I took out for a test drive... as you say it even had a deep grunt which didn't sound diesel like... it also reved hard upto the redline around 5000rpm. Just need to save up for a while oh and look into the DMS remap ....

G

[ATM]

Dont forget the 850 csi. That was around >10 years ago and is awesome. Probably a copy of Alpina's hack of the standard v12 I suspect.

[Talkwrench]

A truly great engine. Alpina based their larger B56 on the CSi engine (5.6l S70) but BMW's M version was the original (& I reckon, the best!). With 550Nm of torque and most of it from near idle, the engine is an absolute delight on the road and phenomenally strong too. It is a genuine 'M' engine and, mainly due to its rarity, often overlooked.

[Welshbeef]

Would have to agree 123d, 330d, x35d M3, M5.

Although VW with their Turbo & Supercharged engine & their remarkablelly efficient PD engines (common rail are rubbish in comparison)

[dibbly_dobbler]

So true ! I'm on my first Beemer (a 130) and the car has its faults but the engine is an absolute peach. Torquey and tractable low down, strong in the middle and flies through the last few hundred RPM at the top end. Also remarkably economical for the performance on offer.

If I was to be picky the sound isn't quite what I would have hoped for and to be honest the best sounding car I've owned was my Impreza turbo.

[bmwdrivernigel]

dibbly_dobbler said:

If I was to be picky the sound isn't quite what I would have hoped for

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/index/performance/0,,___,00.html

This will help!

[dibbly_dobbler]

bmwdrivernigel said:

dibbly_dobbler said:

If I was to be picky the sound isn't quite what I would have hoped for

http://www.bmw.co.uk/bmwuk/index/performance/0,,___,00.html

This will help!

Nigel you're a very bad man - thanks !

[bmwdrivernigel]

[JakeR]

the twin turbo 3 litre straight 6 petrol engine is a thing of wonder. It puts out 300ish BHP in standard tune, but is capable of so much more...

come to think of it, the old M20 lump in my old e30 was great. 2.5 litres and 170 bhp, but it just wanted to be caned all day long.

yep, BMW is THE best engine maker in the world.

Edited by JakeR on Friday 30th May 22:58

[dcb]

JakeR said:

yep, BMW is THE best engine maker in the world.

Honda not in with a shout ?

All those lawn mower engines in those shopping trolleys
have to count for something.

Anyone ever had a VTEC engine break ?

[sniff petrol]

gwatson said:

outnumbered said:

I got to thinking about this today as we've had an 08 reg 525d on loan while the wife's 5er was in the garage, and even this relatively modest oil burner was a peach: Smooth, refined, powerful, torquey, and even makes quite a decent racket when pressing on.

I was very very impressed with a 330d I took out for a test drive... as you say it even had a deep grunt which didn't sound diesel like... it also reved hard upto the redline around 5000rpm. Just need to save up for a while oh and look into the DMS remap ....

G

They've been doing it for years, even my elderly 325tds still goes like stink (for an old oil burner)revs to 5000rpm and sounds good when doing so. The engine goes a long way to making it probably the best all round car I've ever had - can't think of anythink else that will cruise at 1.2 leptons @ +30mpg for the £2k I paid.

[JakeR]

dcb said:

JakeR said:

yep, BMW is THE best engine maker in the world.

Honda not in with a shout ?

All those lawn mower engines in those shopping trolleys
have to count for something.

Anyone ever had a VTEC engine break ?

Undoubtedly, Honda do make some great engines, and I would probably put them in 2nd spot, but right now, I dont think BMW are equalled in terms of breadth of range, performance/economy (if lumped together) and downright character. The only criticism of BMW I have is that the engines are often over-silenced, but I guess that's responding to the market.

[dcb]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

True, true.

While Honda are a fine engine maker, lots more folks
get excited about BMW engines.

I'd be interested to hear the new M5 engine at or
near full chat.

For more than two seconds.
Without background music.
Without Clarkie or one of his friends talking over it.