Invitation to a VIP E92 M3 show in March 2007

enigma · 11-02-2006, 02:04 AM

Yes, BMW does combine displacement with high revs more than any company other than Ferrari.

All the M cars have an engine that have the same to slightly larger displacement than the base models. That, combined with the very wide power bands, ensure that event at low revs the cars feels like a BMW. i.e. you don't need to drop a bunch of gears to go. However, when its really go time you can downshift and use all the revs.

Cars that have very good hp/lbs ratios tend to still have enough go even when you are not in their powerband. The E46 M3 never feels lacking around town unless its under 2k. The E39 M5 was the same. Even my elise with its peaky engine is fine. It doesn't have the flexiblity of the M3 so you really have to row the gearbox on the track but around town even at 1500rpm its fine. It has enough of a power reserve that even when you are out of the band its fine unless you are in a race.

PS: The reason I don't do an engine swap is because the K20 is heavy compared to the 2zz. The 10:1 lbs/hp ratio is good enough. With the same power to weight as my M3 the car is still about 5 seconds faster on the tracks around here. Its all about the suspension and ability to carry speed where the M3 just plows.

replicat · 11-02-2006, 02:56 AM

Hmm, I didn't know that it was that much heavier. The K20A that is.

11-02-2006, 02:04 AM	#45
enigma Captain 13 Rep 689 Posts Drives: E92 M3 and Elise Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Land of the Microchip iTrader: (0)	Yes, BMW does combine displacement with high revs more than any company other than Ferrari. All the M cars have an engine that have the same to slightly larger displacement than the base models. That, combined with the very wide power bands, ensure that event at low revs the cars feels like a BMW. i.e. you don't need to drop a bunch of gears to go. However, when its really go time you can downshift and use all the revs. Cars that have very good hp/lbs ratios tend to still have enough go even when you are not in their powerband. The E46 M3 never feels lacking around town unless its under 2k. The E39 M5 was the same. Even my elise with its peaky engine is fine. It doesn't have the flexiblity of the M3 so you really have to row the gearbox on the track but around town even at 1500rpm its fine. It has enough of a power reserve that even when you are out of the band its fine unless you are in a race. PS: The reason I don't do an engine swap is because the K20 is heavy compared to the 2zz. The 10:1 lbs/hp ratio is good enough. With the same power to weight as my M3 the car is still about 5 seconds faster on the tracks around here. Its all about the suspension and ability to carry speed where the M3 just plows. __________________ Manual gearboxes, the rotary dial of cars.
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11-02-2006, 02:56 AM	#46
replicat Lieutenant 23 Rep 515 Posts Drives: 40MPG Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Southern California iTrader: (0)	Hmm, I didn't know that it was that much heavier. The K20A that is.
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