Why don't they make a 340?

[Tomsriv]

I love the 99-05 3 series and I love V8s. The car looks like its big enough to hold a V8. Its a bummer that the Germans and Japanese never put V8s in any small cars. I would rather have a 250hp V8 than a 333hp straight 6 M3 motor. I guess I'll have to get a Mustang.

[mike@af]

Handling...

Quoted from my other post:

Assuming you're using the M62B35 the power out put is about 230-240HP with about 230lb/ft of torque. The S50B30 puts out 286hp and 258lb/ft of torque; or if you have an S52B32, puts out 321 HP and 236lb/ft of torque. So that seems like a down grade in power if you ask me. Plus the S50 weighs about 140kg, and the M62B35 weighs about 220kg. So not only do you have an engine thats 80kg heavier it has less torque and horsepower.

The weight ratio on the E46 is about 55(F) to 45(R). So why would you want more weight in the front? They arent straight liners, they're made to handle.

[alphalanos]

You can have alot of fun in a car with good weight balance and moderate power.

[DinanM3_S2]

Well the E92 M3 (present generation 3-series) is going to get a light weight V8 similar to the V10 in the M5/M6, but it won't feel the same. It will be much lighter and higher revving at the expense of torque.

Why would you want a heavier weaker engine? Porsche doesn't use V8s in the 911 either. Smaller, higher revving or turbo engines are usually what you will find in cars that handle well.

[Tomsriv]

Porsche did put a V8 in their 928 though. I would rather have a V8 because they run smoother. The torque comes on a lot smoother in a V8 and they just sound a whole lot better than any other engine. V10's sound terrible.
The main reason I would want a heavier less powerful engine is because its a lot easier to modify, and cheaper to build/buy a simple large engine than it is to modify a high tech small engine. Its an American philosophy but I would like to apply it to a BMW where you get great handling and braking, etc too. I'm glad to hear the current gen is getting a V8.

[DinanM3_S2]

Originally Posted by Tomsriv

Porsche did put a V8 in their 928 though. I would rather have a V8 because they run smoother. The torque comes on a lot smoother in a V8 and they just sound a whole lot better than any other engine. V10's sound terrible.
The main reason I would want a heavier less powerful engine is because its a lot easier to modify, and cheaper to build/buy a simple large engine than it is to modify a high tech small engine. Its an American philosophy but I would like to apply it to a BMW where you get great handling and braking, etc too. I'm glad to hear the current gen is getting a V8.

I understand what you are saying, but a big part of why BMWs handle so well is because of the weight distribution. A big V8 would ruin that in a E46. The car was really designed for an I6 (which I think is smoother then many of the V8 cars I've driven).

There have however been interesting swaps into the 3-series. An LS1 has found its way into BMWs before (with a fair amount of pain and suffering).

Who says V10s sound bad?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=d1pLdr_Bg8s

[mike@af]

Originally Posted by Tomsriv

Porsche did put a V8 in their 928 though.

It also had a rear transaxle to help cope with weight distribution.

Originally Posted by Tomsriv

I would rather have a V8 because they run smoother. The torque comes on a lot smoother in a V8...

I've seen some pretty damn smooth torque curves on 6cyl's. V8 Torque is usually low end; with the BMW, specifically the M50, S52, and S54 that I've run in have the most torque after 60mph. Apply that factor to racing, quicker acceleration out of the turns, and down the back stretches.

Originally Posted by Tomsriv

...and they just sound a whole lot better than any other engine.

Thats personal preference and opinion, but have you heard an all out S54 race motor from BMW? PTG ran them in their M3 GTR's in Le Mans. Sure sounds a lot like the Panoz's Ford V8's.

Originally Posted by Tomsriv

The main reason I would want a heavier less powerful engine is because its a lot easier to modify, and cheaper to build/buy a simple large engine than it is to modify a high tech small engine.

Maybe if you're building an SBC or BBC. Thousands of parts are available for the BMW 6cylinder motors. Parts for the M62's are a little bit harder to come by.

Originally Posted by Tomsriv

Its an American philosophy but I would like to apply it to a BMW where you get great handling and braking, etc too.

Here's my philosophy: Eight for the straight, six for the twists.