would you drive 4-cylinder engine* what your thoughts?

[richard in NC]

I agree with others that $60k for a 4 cylinder is just too much. Plus what attracted me to the Z4 in the first place was the geat inline 6, base or turbo.
In a 5 or X5, I want the V8.

[mstevens]

Originally Posted by Memphis1

Please tell me these engines were in your tricycle or daughters barbie car...

"Ridden" is a clue that what's being referred to is motorcycles.

2 cylinders on a bike can be pretty zippy. My L-twin Ducati puts out right around 150HP and loads of torque with very low vehicle weight, so even with my fat ass on it has enough acceleration to push my spleen out my back if I twist the throttle hard enough.

[trk06]

All jokes aside, i think we are spoiled with the 6 cylinder engines. It is impressive what a new Bmw 4 cylinder engine can accomplish. As stated on this thread bmw has built its reputation on 4 cylinder engines. in most parts of the world BMW produces more cars with 4 cylinder engines, in the 3 series.
At the end of the day i am happy to drive my car. But with an engine like that and a better price point it would be a good choice?

[tranquility]

I get that BMW 'made its rep' on 4 cyls but technology progresses. Heck, 20/30 years ago, 150hps was quite impressive for a reg road car. I just don't like regression, esp since the price hasn't regressed either.

[HerrK]

Everyone better get used to smaller more efficient petro chemical engines. In case you've had your head in the sand, and found your own private oil reservoir, this resource is being rapidly consumed. Oil prices will continue to increase and manufacturers will continue to shrink the IC engine to meet gov't regulations and mass demand.

In the future if you want a big displacement engine you will likely only find it at the specialty manufacturers (Ferrari, Bugatti, Lamborgini, Mclearn, etc) for really big bucks.

Hybrids will be the near future. Followed by the flux capacitors.

[bmwmick]

Originally Posted by tranquility

I get that BMW 'made its rep' on 4 cyls but technology progresses. Heck40/50 years ago, 150hp was quite impressive for a reg road car. .

tran,
I fixed it for ya.

[ZheHbKa]

Originally Posted by bmwmick

Not if the same car could be had with an N54.

+1

[BlueZ4AZ]

Originally Posted by HerrK

Hybrids will be the near future. Followed by the flux capacitors.

....and let's not rule out the Mr. Fusion engine. That is supposed to be a reality in the "Future" year 2015.

[teagueAMX]

Originally Posted by Silver-Bolt

e30 M3 was a 4cyl. I suppose no one would want to drive a Lotus either? Granted I will always buy the most powerful engine available for the model I am interested in but I won't exclude a vehicle based on cylinder count. Performance is the key for me.

Years ago I had the opportunity to ride in a Lotus Europa - talk about a wild ride.

So, while I agree with in you principle, one has to keep in mind that any of the recent Lotus' like the Elise, Exige and few others weigh in around 2,000 lbs. So that p/w ratio is pretty good.

Throw a comparable engine into a 3300 lb car and it's a different story.

[Silver-Bolt]

Originally Posted by teagueAMX

Years ago I had the opportunity to ride in a Lotus Europa - talk about a wild ride.

So, while I agree with in you principle, one has to keep in mind that any of the recent Lotus' like the Elise, Exige and few others weigh in around 2,000 lbs. So that p/w ratio is pretty good.

Throw a comparable engine into a 3300 lb car and it's a different story.

Teague,
That is exactly my point. I won't exclude a car based on cylinder count. I will exclude one based on poor performance reguardless of cylinder count. I love the n54 6, but if BMW made a Z4M that was 1000 lbs lighter and a 4-cyl I would be all over it.

[cdeslandes]

I don't see why not a 4 cylinders, if I were content with 250 horses.

After all there has already been a successful 4-cyl sports car: the Porsche 944.

Modern 4-bangers are a lot smoother and torquey than past ones, expecially with turbos.

I agree the old BMW 4's were underwhelming (I once owned a 1984 318i) but I've also had lots of fun with my two 2nd-gen SAAB 900 Turbos.

[BugsBunny]

Yes in a BMW Z2
No in a BMW Z4 at 50K$

Actually I once owned a 1996 Z3 1.9L (4cyl), and I loved it

Question: when BMW will release the Z2 (supposedly in 2013), won't it compete a bit with a Z4 4 cyl ?

Not sure about BMW NA strategy here.... If one day, I need to go for a 4-cyl, I will downgrade to a Z2 too...


BMW also need to ensure that the sound emitted by this 4-cyl is in accordance with the Z line. The (otherwise fantastic) 2.0T engine in my VW GTI sounds too coarse at low RPM (the direct injection I guess) for a convertible.

[Jordanpryce]

A agree, a Z2 is a perfect car (ala Audi TT) in size for a 4 cyl turbo. Get rid of the 6 cylinder options in the Z4 and I'm buying the next version of the Porsche Cayman. I'll take a diesel Z4 if they make one. That 335D is pretty great.