V6/Straight 6 ??? - BMW Forum

Pharoah · 11-27-2003, 07:32 AM

I was under the impression that when theses dealers listed the car as being a v6 that it was a 6 cylinder. I have found out that it actually means a straight 6.Can somebody explain the difference to me?Thanks

used

Furious · 11-27-2003, 08:30 AM

bmw uses inline 6, i believe it started after the development of the m1 but im really not sure, either way, the V6 has its cylinders alternating in the block like a "V" that is if you cut the engine in half from top to bottom and looked from the front of the car the cylinders would represent a V shape.

the inline 6 or I6 have the cylinders all in a row and front to back, therefore if you cut the engine the same as above the cylinders would be straight up and down well of course they arent straight up in down but you get the idea,
so to recap- V is cylinders alternating on opposite sides in a V pattern
-I is cylinders one after another in a straight line looks like an I

there are also other types of engine setups besides these two, for example porsche uses flat 6, subaru i think uses horizontal opposed
VW has a W8 etc etc

Pharoah · 11-27-2003, 11:04 AM

Thanks.I got it now.

bimmerM5e39 · 11-28-2003, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Furious@Nov 27 2003, 10:10 AM
bmw uses inline 6, i believe it started after the development of the m1 but im really not sure, either way, the V6 has its cylinders alternating in the block like a "V" that is if you cut the engine in half from top to bottom and looked from the front of the car the cylinders would represent a V shape.

the inline 6 or I6 have the cylinders all in a row and front to back, therefore if you cut the engine the same as above the cylinders would be straight up and down well of course they arent straight up in down but you get the idea,
so to recap- V is cylinders alternating on opposite sides in a V pattern
-I is cylinders one after another in a straight line looks like an I

there are also other types of engine setups besides these two, for example porsche uses flat 6, subaru i think uses horizontal opposed
VW has a W8 etc etc

so wats the difference like other then the look? as far as performance? i mean the I is better right since that wat bimmers use now.

Mik3 Agby · 11-28-2003, 11:43 AM

i dont think there really is a difference in performance between the V6 and the I6. but there is a sound difference. the I6 has like a humming sound and the V6 has a roaring sound. and i think by making the S54 an I6 it made the S54 a very complicated engine to work on.

and BMW only uses the I6 on M3s. and when the new M3s come out they will be V8s.

lwebb12 · 11-28-2003, 11:49 AM

I6's have less internal vibration than a V-6.

bimmerM5e39 · 11-28-2003, 04:07 PM

S54 is m3 e36 motor right?

Furious · 11-28-2003, 04:48 PM

it seems that the I6 is a slightly more relliable engine on a whole, i think other cars like the supra use the "I" but i think triggerhappi would know more about that , he owned one.

Slvr e39 · 11-28-2003, 07:10 PM

Strait 6 is way to go! Very reliable in all my cars I have gone through!

NC_Mog · 11-29-2003, 03:29 AM

The inline 6 is an inherently smoother than a V6. Most V6s have to run a balance shaft to come anywhere close to the smoothness of a inline engine. Long term, I think that smoothness makes for a more reliable engine, but there is no scientific basis to that.

Unbeatable_BMW · 11-29-2003, 06:38 PM

Yes, the Inline 6 is a MUCH smooter running engine than the V6. There is less internal vibration, which means that the wear on internal engine parts is also less. Another advantage I always found on Inline 6 motors, is that power output, or peak is greater than you could expect on a V6 motor. BMW gets out of a 3.0L engine close to 1,000HP and 20,000 rpm. That is WORLD CLASS TALENT and knowledge. Never forget, that the Inline 6 BMW engine, was first used in really high altitudes. I personally always thought, that if it withstood all the severe conditions at such high altitudes, then it will live for a long time, while it`s here on the ground.

Look at the comparison. At one point I owned a 280ZX, which was a Inline 6. I raced a friend with a 300ZX, which was a V6. Both engines were natural motors, (no turbos), and he even has the bigger displacement. No matter how many times we raced, the V6 can not stand up to the I6.

I feel like I have comitted a sin now...bringing up Nissan, on a BMW forum. I`ll go to church tomorrow.

Mik3 Agby · 11-30-2003, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bimmerM5e39@Nov 28 2003, 05:47 PM
S54 is m3 e36 motor right?

S54 is the E46 M3 motor

Mik3 Agby · 11-30-2003, 05:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by bimmerM5e39@Nov 28 2003, 05:47 PM
S54 is m3 e36 motor right?

S54 is the E46 M3 motor. S50 is the E36 M3 motor.

kidrobot · 12-03-2003, 03:10 AM

I6's have a higher torque output than V6's not so much HP though. I6's are
also very reliable do to the reduced wear on parts, since there are well, less.
Supras all have the I6 I still have one now. I just heard that there are a lot
of BMW owners doing the Supra swap on their cars, which is well....
Blasphemy....

Please God strike them down.....

Aggieland81 · 12-03-2003, 04:54 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Mik3 Agby+Nov 30 2003, 07:03 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Mik3 Agby @ Nov 30 2003, 07:03 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'> <!--QuoteBegin-bimmerM5e39@Nov 28 2003, 05:47 PM
S54 is m3 e36 motor right?

S54 is the E46 M3 motor. S50 is the E36 M3 motor. [/b][/quote]
what make are these S cars