Next Gen F30 M3 To Be Based on N55 Engine

[SCOTT26]

Reposted from 1M Coupe discussion thread: http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=424637

I see cars in the earlist stage but I have other projects to work on that I cannot afford to be distracted as I have many projects not only for cars but I also conceive stuff for BMWTV.de The German only BMW TV channel which in some cases do not involve cars. With each project now we have started to do Pre-visualisation on the computer because we can show it to the director and production crew and explain this is the angles we want to get the perfect shot.

The time window for this car is extremely tight and originally enthusiasm was not apparent until Dr. Kay Segler came to the M Division.
We had initially toyed with the idea of an 1M when we were conceiving the Coupe and did work with evaluation models then using the engine from the E46 and the upgraded E46 CSL engine but it proved to be too heavy for the car.

Originally in the early days of marketing the standard 135i was originally meant to be an M model.

The 1M that stands before you now has had possibly the most progressive stage from thought-production turnaround for a BMW. There had to be a lot of arm-twisting in the BMW Board because of the tight window between generation 1 and generation 2 of the Coupe. The proposal was greenlighted when BMW decided to use the Coupe model for the BMW eDrive evaluation. Therefore slightly extending it's life cycle.

When I first saw the car it was in a design studio as a full scale claymodel but since then some designers ideas have to make way for aerodynamics and engineering. The initial engine proposal was the N55 but they were having issues that cannot be solved within the time window. BMW Greenlit this car in July 09, now over a year later we see it as it intended , although testing still commences until the launch. Valvetronic was the main cause of the time delay but BMW have spent some time on this and are using the N55 as a basis for the next M3.

The best way to describe the engine of the 1M is a "Hybrid" but in the original form of Hybrid, nothing to do with "alternatives", but it is not a straightforward transplant.

There is a lot of this car that will carry over for the next generation 1M in which that car will switch to four cylinders to which the M Division engineers are already working on the basics without time constraints or restrictions. 1M (E82) is showing what is possible in a small timeframe 1M (F22) will show what is possible once you do not have restrictions.

[aajami]

I know that BMW confirmed that the next M3 will be using a twin-turbo six cylinder engine. But I distinctly remember that engine being a V6.

Now Scott26 is saying that the F30 M3 will be using a variant of the N55, which is a single-turbo, and most interestingly, straight-6.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=424637 (scroll down to the section entitled "N54 Engine Confirmed (per Scott26):" in the first post)

Thoughts?

[FStop7]

my thoughts are that anyone who wants an M3 should get an E9x now.

[southlight]

BMW M is said to perform some significant changes to the turbo layout before this engine enters the next M3. Think of it as an S55, just like the N63 was heavily modified before it found its way into the X M models (S63).


Best regards,
south

[aajami]

I'm less interested in the enhancements BMW plans to make to the turbo(s) on the N55 between now and the launch of the F30 M3, and more interested in the apparent news that a brand new V6 engine has been dropped in favor of the existing I6 N55.

[southlight]

Yuck, a V6? Seriously, I hear you.


Best regards,
south

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by aajami

I know that BMW confirmed that the next M3 will be using a twin-turbo six cylinder engine. But I distinctly remember that engine being a V6.

They never said it would be a V6 engine, they (they being Dr. Kay Segler, IIRC) merely said it could not be ruled out at the time. Also, I don't believe it there was any guarantee of a twin turbo either, just a turbo.

To me the V6 never really stood much chance given how much more it would cost than using an existing I6 as a foundation. It does not make sense for the midrange car when even the M flagship (M5/M6) use a motor based on the normal series V8.

Now Scott26 is saying that the F30 M3 will be using a variant of the N55, which is a single-turbo, and most interestingly, straight-6.

He had said that awhile back as well. Naturally then, S55 will be the F3x M3 motor name. 1M was developed too fast for an M specific engine, I suppose. In fact, I think this wil be the first M vehicle with a normal series "N" engine.

The most interesting thing about the post you mention, to me, is he confirms that the F2x 1M will indeed more to a turbo 4. This is not unexpected, but answers some questions I had about how they would suitably distinguish it from the M3. So, M5 gets the V8, M3 gets the I6 and 1M gets the I4.

[mkoesel]

Here's EVO's writeup on the original interview:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=259763

It was not Dr. Kay Segler, as I had remembered, but instead Ludwig Willisch who I believe was his predecessor. As you can see, he merely confirms that it will be a six cylinder and be turbocharged. The message has been twisted by the press and BMW community over the past year such that many folks believe the TT V6 was confirmed.

[Kyoshi71]

Originally Posted by FStop7

my thoughts are that anyone who wants an M3 should get an E9x now.

Damn Strait!

[ChrisK]

Originally Posted by Kyoshi71

Damn Strait!

I second that!

[crfine88]

Originally Posted by FStop7

my thoughts are that anyone who wants an M3 should get an E9x now.

+1

I wish I was on the market for an M3 now

[Kiemyster]

Originally Posted by FStop7

my thoughts are that anyone who wants an M3 should get an E9x now.

+1 I figure most of us here are safe

Safe like Selassie briefcase!!

[BMRLVR]

Anyone who is a true BMW enthusiast is seriously relieved to know that the V6 will not be a reality.

A V6 goes against everything BMW has said since it's first inline six was introduced in 1933. They have stated the benefits of inline-sixes compared to v-sixes over and over. I for one am very happy to know that the F30 M3 will still use an inline six engine as opposed to a V6.

It is all bad enough that they are going to turbos for the M-engines, if they went to turbocharged V-sixes I would be very disappointed. I am going to keep my E90 M3 forever since it is the last NA M car. I won't rule out the fact that I may have an F30 M3 in the future if I feel the new Turbocharged M Inline-six is a good enough engine.......I know the car itself will be good.

[aajami]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

Here's EVO's writeup on the original interview:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=259763

It was not Dr. Kay Segler, as I had remembered, but instead Ludwig Willisch who I believe was his predecessor. As you can see, he merely confirms that it will be a six cylinder and be turbocharged. The message has been twisted by the press and BMW community over the past year such that many folks believe the TT V6 was confirmed.

That's the interview that I was referencing. Thanks for posting it and shedding some light on the matter.

Good to know that BMW never officially mentioned a V6.

[VonSwoopington]

Since I'm buying my first M3 and haven't been following any M related news since the last couple months, can someone break down (or link me) to the difference in the engines mentioned in this thread?

EG: N54 and N55

Thanks

[mkoesel]

^^^

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_BMW_engines

[ChrisK]

N54: Twin Turbo
N55: Single Turbo (Twin Scroll) + Valvetronic

[VonSwoopington]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

^^^

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_BMW_engines

Originally Posted by ChrisK

N54: Twin Turbo
N55: Single Turbo (Twin Scroll) + Valvetronic

Thanks for the responses. Reading up now!

[NatAsp-M3]

Me thinks too early to know...

But I do know I'm keeping mine for now, aint no sense walking down the aisle unless you know what's at the other end.

Since it's going to be awhile, I just ordered myself a challenge trunk and LCI upgrade to keep my look fresh!

[Crazy Bimmer]

BMW better not start whoring out their engines like AMG does. I would be sad.

With that said, im sure the M division wont disappoint us. I will wait to see what they come up with before making judgment.

[Doctor J]

I6 would make more sense -- way stronger block for FI

[aus]

Could someone please make this Segler guy go away. He's not good for the M division.