Yeah, I know. It's just a funny juxtaposition. But I feel that the X5 & X& Ms are a little late for the party. I know the power wars are not completely over, but given the economic situation and the increasing attention to enviromental issues related to cars, we probably won't see the arms race go on anything like it has in recent years. Which is why lighter models with smaller displacement makes sense.
I get that. It's just that, at least in my view, a message of lighter weight and more driver connection smells ever so slightly of bull**** when it's coming on the heels of the axeing of the E92 CSL and the arrival of the X-cars. I fell like they've been forced in this direction, and somehow they make it sound like they had an eiphany and are blazing a completely new trail.
The "M’s new philosophy of cutting cylinders/displacement while cutting weight to maintain performance levels"-bit - that's not a new philosophy; light weight and low displacement was what they did back in the eighties.
Don't get me wrong: I think this the right direction for the M Division, no doubt about it. It's just not very elegant.

/rant.

 

Yes; they want to have it both ways. I think I prefer the new way, though.

 

The thought of a 1-series M coupe has got my balls all tingly! Sub-2900 lbs with 300 bhp on tap would be a great combo!

 

Guess I'm on the outside here. I'll take large displacemnt, large torque and a growling V8 or V10 over a high reving, low torque lightweight any day. I grew up with hemi Challengers and SS 454s so I guess I can't help it(my sig pretty much tells the story...). I would actually consider the M3 in its current state and I'm disappointed that Audi is taking the V8 out of the S4 and S5. But that's just me.....

 

No doubt, their current cars are very nice offerings. However, they really are far from their roots in their current configurations. You're not a big handling guy, hu?

 

Why, b/c I'm not a fan of small displacement high reving motors or did you get that from the cars I currently have?

 

Same here, I had an M5E39 until last year, the motor was just great! was a wonderful ride luxury and power all in one but now that I´ve got the new M3 E92 with DCT I´m fascinated with the power and the sound of the car! It´s heavier, yes but it does have 20 BHP more than the S62 and 77 BHP more than the old M3 and has only 105 kg more. put it all together and you get a car that runs 0,6 secs. faster to 60 mph and is going to be the last real n.a. V8 M ever builds!
I know why I bought mine

I´m also for light weight but smaller engines We have a saying over here: better 1000kg than 1000 HP. I truly hated the M3 E92 when it first came out until I actually got to "Drive" the car as it was meant to be.. it changed my opinion instantly. Audi ?? dunno what they want to do but look at AMG! they switched from supercharged v8´s to n.a. V8´s and even larger motors; 6,2 ltrs. And the boss of AMG even said we wont be looking to downsize the engines in the future but rather have the weight come off of the cars.
As for soul, get into any V8 and take it for a spin on a nice free highway or even a nice long - tunnel - and tell me that a six banger has more soul..

If the car runs better than the previous generation, hell why not I´ll take it!
& BTW nothing beats a V8 IMO unless it´s a V12 & yes any turbo on any M is just crap IMO!!

yeah, thats why the new M3 has absolutely no insulation what so ever under the bonnet, in the door frames and wheel archs.. dude get your facts right

 

You know, the current 1-series is actually a bigger car than the E30 3-series. That's how big the cars have gotten over the years. The smallest BMW is actually a pretty big car.
I'd like to see a rwd Mini (or that size) weighing in just over a tonne and having round 300 bhp. That would be a lot of fun.
I think we all can agree that for sports cars, adding hp to cover up a higher weight is never a good idea.

 

For people who think ///M's with turbo's are crap less we not forget that ///M as a brand was started with the ///M1 with its turbocharged engine!
If they take off weight and keep BHP around the current E92 then that would be awesome, However it must be a straight Six and it must be high revving...
I dont want to buy an ///M3 with a motor which is basicly a 335i motor with a proceed flash on it....

 

[QUOTE]I'll take large displacemnt, large torque and a growling V8 or V10 over a high reving, low torque lightweight any day./QUOTE]

These attributes generally point to cars that aren't on the forefront of the handling game. I made a general assumption based upon your comments. Was I wrong?