The end of straight six BMW engines?

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:34 am

Looks like the future for BMW could be four pots only

http://www.motorauthority.com/cars/bmw/ ... cylinders/

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:19 pm

Wonderful if a load of new engines are left laying around for people to take home if they can't shift them. Got my ticket.

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 12:50 pm

im sure the straight 6 will stay, thats what makes bmw, bmw

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 1:55 pm

You cant put a 4 pot in a 6' or 7'...surely....

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:14 pm

They should do a V8 diesel, that'd solve the problem.

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:22 pm

Morat wrote:They should do a V8 diesel, that'd solve the problem.

Right - having the cost, weight and complexity of a V8 with a fuel economy of an petrol inline six, oh and have to run it on the more expensive diesel fuel = epic fail.

No wonder they haven't done it.

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:25 pm

got my ticket too!! flying to munich monday morning @ 8 am.... bmw welt here i come!

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:28 pm

Alex wrote:im sure the straight 6 will stay, thats what makes bmw, bmw

Not if the accountant.s have their way Alex, don.t forget they have no interest in cars, just ledger books.

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:48 pm

casper8r wrote:
Morat wrote:They should do a V8 diesel, that'd solve the problem.
Right - having the cost, weight and complexity of a V8 with a fuel economy of an petrol inline six, oh and have to run it on the more expensive diesel fuel = epic fail.

No wonder they haven't done it.

They already have! The 740d.

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:01 pm

darkchild wrote:
casper8r wrote:
Morat wrote:They should do a V8 diesel, that'd solve the problem.
Right - having the cost, weight and complexity of a V8 with a fuel economy of an petrol inline six, oh and have to run it on the more expensive diesel fuel = epic fail.

No wonder they haven't done it.
They already have! The 740d.

I'll get my coat then

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:09 pm

casper8r wrote:I'll get my coat then

It was available in Europe in E38's and E65's iirc. Sadly never made it to the UK, probably due to our stupidly priced diesel!

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 5:39 pm

Morat wrote:They should do a V8 diesel, that'd solve the problem.

they did it 10 years ago with 2 turbos on the E38's, and are still doing it now on the e65. It's a europe only thing

they dont build many of them though

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:11 pm

I can't see a manufacturer of large luxury cars relying on anything smaller than a six.
The article doesn't say that any production is stopping - unless I'm going blind - what it does say is.....

BMW has been forced to cut production of its large displacement engines in the wake of sluggish world demand.

and is even considering phasing out production of its six-cylinder engines at its main Munich plant as well

The second quote doesn't tell me that they are considering ceasing production completely, just that the sixes won't be made in Munich.
Anyone care to disagree?

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 6:18 pm

ROC wrote:Looks like the future for BMW could be four pots only

Good

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:50 pm

The Munich factory makes mainly 3 Series anyway iirc. There's bugger all future for V8's anyway, won't be a great loss. The future is in small turbocharged diesels in smallish cars, 140 mph and 50 mpg.

Post Tue Sep 02, 2008 8:58 pm

Agreed. Golt gt tdi sport anyone? Yes please.

Post Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:14 am

StuBeeDoo wrote:I can't see a manufacturer of large luxury cars relying on anything smaller than a six.
The article doesn't say that any production is stopping - unless I'm going blind - what it does say is.....
BMW has been forced to cut production of its large displacement engines in the wake of sluggish world demand.

and is even considering phasing out production of its six-cylinder engines at its main Munich plant as well
The second quote doesn't tell me that they are considering ceasing production completely, just that the sixes won't be made in Munich.
Anyone care to disagree?

well read.