BMW and the M...past, present, and future, what does it mean to you.

[speed_kills]

I drive two Mercedes with the 320 CDI engine, a 2004 E 320 CDI and a 2008 ML 320 CDI. The first one is an I6 with 204hp and the second one a 224 hp V6. The ML´s engine is by far a better engine, the sound is much better, and it´s less noisier.

Not Shure but i think they're both V6, good engines although it doesnt scrach the superiority of the Straigh Six Diesel.
Good to know BMW are planning to move to V6, after a Turbo, AWD M it doesnt surprise me. I expect a FWD BMW within 5 year.

Atmospheric M : Dead
Straigh Six: Dying
RWD: Matter of time

 

[EnI]

That's a big exaggeration. You don't mean to tell us the SLS did cost 2 billion EUR, do you?


Best regards,
south

How much do you think an R&D for a supercar costs in average? Give me your estimate, please.

 

[EnI]

Atmospheric M : Dead
Straigh Six: Dying
RWD: Matter of time

Actually in the advanced-hybrid era & later in extended range EV and EV era ALL cars will be AWD. But I guess there will be RWD mode to choose from in the Drive Mode menu / button.

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Not Shure but i think they're both V6, good engines although it doesnt scrach the superiority of the Straigh Six Diesel.
Good to know BMW are planning to move to V6, after a Turbo, AWD M it doesnt surprise me. I expect a FWD BMW within 5 year.

Atmospheric M : Dead
Straigh Six: Dying
RWD: Matter of time

I think you're right on your estimate, especially if there's any legitimacy to rumored Mini-based 0-series that'll compete with the upcoming Audi A1.

Not enough, I’m hoping for V10 TT and 650hp.

While, I like your optimism, I wouldn't hold your breath. Besides anything >600 hp is a bit too much. Make it light, with around 500-550 and have the dynamics and driving comfort sorted, then you got yourself a spicy meatball!

 

[Zafiro]

it's a hard work of BMW engineers. Do you really think BMW turbos will be inferior to other turbos?

No and I doubt they will stand out from other Turbo makers. BMW will be on the same level.

 

[Mr Robert]

Exactly what it is now: great engines with superb characteristics (eg. in the future having better turbo engines than others - since all the rivals are going turbo as well) & superb driving dynamics ... topping the rival.

That means that, In a sense, BMW will stop doing things its own way and getting better results than the competition and start doing the same thing as the competition and try to do it better than everyone else.

 

[south]

How much do you think an R&D for a supercar costs in average? Give me your estimate, please.

Let me put it this way, you can develop a Bugatti Veyron and a Panamera for 2 billion EUR. I'm afraid that doesn't prove your point, but thanks for trying.



Best regards,
south

 

[bmwownage]

That means that, In a sense, BMW will stop doing things its own way and getting better results than the competition and start doing the same thing as the competition and try to do it better than everyone else.

Yes that's the best way to put it. I dont' know but I just have a feeling that if BMW continues like this, surely their N-years of history keeps some uniqueness for now but sooner or later, if their starting point is "just" costs and returns etc. then there will be no uniqueness. Sooner or later everyone will find the exact same solution to produce every part of the car in the exact same way to achieve the exact same result, right? everything has an optimal method to be done.
10 years ago if someone ask, why BMW? what's special about them? one could go on and on and words just flow out of your mouth without even going through your brain; now, what can you say? "err, because it looks good..." Audi and even MB is matching in a lot of ways and BMW is no longer the straight winner in driving dynamics, engine characteristics, which is perhaps why "The Ultimate Driving Machine" slogan has disappeared? I'm not bashing or anything, at the moment things are still fine, it's the future that's more in doubt, and also perhaps BMW do not have to keep their tradition to do well, it's already a luxury brand that rich people just go buy it because they want to buy it, but it's just a bit disappointing to fans which may not account for a lot of their sales, so maybe they don't care at all.

 

[klier]

How much do you think an R&D for a supercar costs in average? Give me your estimate, please.

Maybe 300 million, tops?

But it depends what they have to develop....SLS for instance uses parts from the MB shelves that were already developed, meaning they don't have to start from scratch, making it less expensive..