Why did BMW do this?

[lolcantturn]

ehhhhhhhhh saying the S14 M3 is a 'blast to drive' is kind of a stretch. It's an M10 with another cam.

are you even real life right now?

[Mr. Tasty]

High revving 4 to compete in racing?

[nando]

Why did BMW put a 4 beater in the e30 M3?

because they were making 200bhp from an N/A 2.3l 4 cylinder in 1985? and the 2.5l race motors were making over 300?

meanwhile, a 5 liter mustang made like 180bhp.. ouch..

seriously though, nice troll post.

[e30rapidic]

homologation so it could run in Group A Touring Car racing.

[rThor432]

Homologation.

[lolcantturn]

homologation so it could run in Group A Touring Car racing.

Homologation.

OP is just plain homosexual

[KenC]

It was a really advanced engine for its time.

As they weren't designed/tuned for the street, DDing one is pretty underwhelming.

[TurboJake]

Why did BMW put a 4 beater in the e30 M3?

Simple!
Because they were, and still are, much more versed in vehicular design and development than you probably ever will be.

[devon.818]

S14 is an s38 withthe front two cylinders cut off.


The motor is a work of art

[theevildoodlebob]

High revving 4 to compete in racing?

Absolutely yes to high reving 4 bangers in racing. http://www.performanceforums.com/for...-67239918.html
I think those numbers are the actual race motor and not the qualifying grenade motor that was around 1000 hp at 80 psi of boost.

http://www.ultimatecarpage.com/car/2576/BMW-320si-WTCC.html

And even today they are still running strung out 4 cylinders.

[Emre]

Why did BMW put a 4 beater in the e30 M3?

Serious answer: They were limited to 2.3L for Gruppe A homologation. With such small displacement, you can build a stronger, lighter, higher revving, more reliable, and generally better performing engine if you start with a twin-cam four cylinder compared to an inline-six.

Also, they had years of experience with twin-cam heads on M10 blocks. Read up on the Schnitzer-prepared 320 Turbo "Flying Brick" racers, McLaren IMSA Camel GT cars, and BMW's own Brabham F1 engines. Their inline-six race motors (the SOHC M30 in the 3.0CSL and the DOHC M88 in the M1) were also derived from the humble M10.

So, it was only natural that they'd go the 16v route for their new 2.3L Gr.A touring car engines.

[fronton]

The real question is: why does the sport evo have a sunroof? They bothered to use thinner glass, delete roof grab handles, lighter decklid, and I think they even went with the manual crank windows and sunroof but why not make it a slicktop like some 318is'?

[Threehz]

The obvious truth is that four bang's are where it's at. Straight sixes can be beautiful as well, but BMW is just too good at making four's.

There's a lot of hate, but the M42 is one of the most beautiful engines ever made. May not be a powerhouse but it's got massive potential and runs like a charm.

[slammin.e28]

The obvious truth is that four bang's are where it's at. Straight sixes can be beautiful as well, but BMW is just too good at making four's.

There's a lot of hate, but the M42 is one of the most beautiful engines ever made. May not be a powerhouse but it's got massive potential and runs like a charm.

This.

I'm not a 4 banger guy by any means, but I do love the M42 (and even the M10, mostly for it's role in making the M30).

Take a looksie at the new BMW 4 cyl engines. Not to shabby IMO.

[5Toes]

^ that is actually very interesting (sunroof guy)