Hi all, I hope you're spirits are up during these strange times. I was thinking how I love the fact BMW have stuck with straight sixes as an ethos; with balanced silky smooth engines. Today I was reading about the new Porsche 911 Turbo S and it is the first 911 I have seen and thought wow! I am a bit tainted, as growing up I remember them as 1980s yuppie killers; although you can't judge until you have driven one. Then I thought why doesn't BMW make a flat 4 or flat 6 engine? It would have the same perfect balance, but also a lower centre of gravity and shorter, albeit wider. Does anyone know, or have suggestions?
I thought the 3 litre straight six diesel was the best engine out there in a normal car, until I got the Porsche - now I believe the VAG V6 diesel is better, quieter and smoother. But in another VAG car this engine is completely different and I wouldn't say is better than the BMW straight six. So, its horses for courses, depends on the application.
Flat 2 - ie. Boxer twin cylinder. Don't know of any flat 4's. Of course they have the inline 4's and 6's in the K series (across the frame). And of course there is the super-sonic S1000RR inline 4 - One of the fastest production bikes on the planet.
I've always been a fan of the straight 6 cylinder configuration. I used to delight in driving my Austin Healey 3000 through villages with the engine at 50% peak revs. The howl echoing off the buildings was addictive.
Having switched from 6 cylinder diesel to petrol it took me ages to stop missing the throaty roar of the N57 (F11N 535d), and torque. On winter tyres I could never be sure, but I'm thought the back used to squat down when you floored it I still marvel in awe at the variable geometry turbo on that engine.