Andy_Bangle Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 BMW M3 purists, rejoice. According to F30Post.com, BMW's North American boss, Ludwig Willisch, has confirmed that the next-generation M3 will be powered by an inline six-cylinder engine. That's right, the V8 is dead and the rumours of a possible V6 have officially been squashed. To wit, Willisch told F30Post.com that a V6 was under consideration for quite some time, and the original thought was to use a chopped version of the S65 4.0-liter V8 found in the current car. But plans for a V-configuration have indeed been ruled out, and all that's left to speculate on is exactly how much help the new inline-six will get from forced induction. In order to be more powerful than the current M3, no less than two turbochargers will likely be bolted to the new six-cylinder powerplant. In fact, we've even heard rumours of a tri-turbo setup being engineered for use in the M3. In any case, expect about 450 horsepower to be on tap. Official: BMW F80 M3 / F82 M4 Brings Back the Inline 6 Engine - BMW 3-Series Forum (F30 / F32) | F30POST Despite the next M3 being at least 1.5 to 2 years away. It will be: Lighter than current M3 Faster than current M3 More powerful than current M3 More efficient than current M3 Powered by an inline 6 cylinder [turbo] engine Offered with optional or standard manual transmission (if previous spy photos are any indication) Introduced no earlier than late 2013 - early 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 It won't sound as nice though - and isn't that part of the experience? I'm disappointed. I loved my E46 M3's and their distinctive noise, but they don't beat the sound of the M3's V8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 It was inevitable I guess, the new M5 has forced induction, as did the 1M. No doubt it will be super quick, but will miss the character of a NA M-Power engine. Wonder if they'll pipe artificial engine sounds into the cabin like they do the M5 ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 On that note (M5, exhaust sounds piped through the speakers) - I'll be damned if I could hear them on 2 test drives. I specifically listened for them on the second drive. That said, you only have to put the window down a little to hear the exhaust cracking and popping. It does sound fabulous when you do that - but it's still not loud enough inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 did you have the stereo turned up? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Hmm. Now that you mention it... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted May 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 The active sound system makes a huge difference ... How could you not hear it!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 That is a bit sad, the sound enhancement through the speakers. Has anyone had their M3 cracking and popping? Or is that a trait of a turbocharged car? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Of course, the purists wouldn't rejoice at that at all, they'd want a 4 cylinder N/A lump as in the original M3. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Has anyone had their M3 cracking and popping? Or is that a trait of a turbocharged car? You don't need a turbo for that, any car will do it if the exhaust gets hot enough, and the car dumps excess fuel into it, the original R32 does it with the standard exhaust if you properly rev the tits off it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NewNiceMrMe Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 I don't think it makes a huge difference at all. It's still not how an M5 should sound. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mac Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 Has anyone had their M3 cracking and popping? Or is that a trait of a turbocharged car? Mine does this when I rag it round the Evo Triangle, sounds frickin' ace Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 There is something childishly enjoyable about that sound, my legacy used to do it a bit with its Scorpion exhaust. The Impreza does it too with the Prodrive system, but only when your really spanking it, I love the sound of a decent engine on track, they just come alive and start to sing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biscuits Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 With the roof down, the Z4M would crack n pop a treat... totally childish but fantastic all the same. Dont think the 135 will do though Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 The Caterham does it at the drop of a hat. Come off the throttle and the exhaust goes for it. Bear in mind, too, that the exhaust is about 2 feet from your right ear. You hear it well enough... no need for help from the (non-existent) sound system Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy_Bangle Posted May 23, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 My Cooper S Works does it from cold, then again it has got 6k of engine mods. Its so addictive to lift off, just to get it popping Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luke Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 A good friend of mine has a cooper S, he took it back after a weeks ownership to say that something was wrong. "it keeps making a popping and cracking noise when I come off the accelerator" He's not a car nut! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tipex Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 The Caterham does it at the drop of a hat. Come off the throttle and the exhaust goes for it. Bear in mind, too, that the exhaust is about 2 feet from your right ear. You hear it well enough... no need for help from the (non-existent) sound system Does it run on carbs? it happens much more on cars that do, as it has to be actually designed into the system on fuel injected cars, which is why your average family saloon wont do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patently Posted May 23, 2012 Report Share Posted May 23, 2012 No, it's a modern injected engine, squeezed into an antique chassis! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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