BMW’s historical past with V8s is a surprisingly selective one. A number of the model’s most iconic vehicles had been constructed round eight cylinders—the E39 M5, the E92 M3, the E38 7 Collection, and the timeless magnificence that’s the 507 all leaned on V8 power to make their level. However the V8 was by no means BMW’s default efficiency reply, and it’s not what Bavaria is most recognized for. BMW earned its popularity on sensible four-cylinders and straight-sixes—engines with a crisp, mechanical readability that turned a part of the model’s DNA. Nonetheless, wanting again, it’s arduous to not really feel like Munich left a couple of nice V8 alternatives on the desk, particularly within the trendy period.
And certain, stuffing V8s into all the things was AMG’s complete factor within the 2000s and 2010s, whereas BMW performed the scalpel to AMG’s hammer. However a handful of contemporary Bimmers had been itching for eight cylinders, and with V8s clearly on borrowed time, it’s arduous to not want BMW had constructed a couple of extra. So which BMWs would’ve been even higher with a V8?
BMW 1M
That is a straightforward one. The BMW 1M will at all times be an enthusiast-darling, resulting from its raucous turbocharged straight-six engine, razor-sharp dealing with, and pugnacious seems to be. It was additionally a little bit of an underdog, having been constituted of the M Division’s elements bin, with a non-M Division engine. Regardless of all of that, it’s beloved as is.
That doesn’t imply it may’t be higher, although. A number of tuners have already realized the 1M’s potential and stuffed the E92 M3’s S65 4.0-liter naturally aspirated V8 underneath its hood. It’s a good match, nevertheless it works, and it provides a lot extra character to the littlest M automobile. Even when you overlook the ability enhance—which is substantial, because the S65 made 414 horsepower, in comparison with the 1M’s paltry 335 horsepower—the S65’s 8,250-rpm redline and spine-tingling noise are vastly superior to the 1M’s customary blown-six.
Add that high-revving V8 and killer soundtrack to what’s already one of the crucial fun-to-drive BMWs of the fashionable period, and you’ve got the proper M automobile. Plus, you’d lastly be giving it a correct M engine, fairly than simply an off-the-shelf N54.
Whereas a number of tuners have already constructed such vehicles, don’t count on to see many extra. BMW solely constructed 6,309 1Ms for purchasers worldwide, and just for the 2011 mannequin 12 months, which makes it uncommon and beneficial. Modifying it may cut back that worth, particularly with one thing as drastic as an engine swap. So that you received’t see too many house owners lining as much as drop a distinct engine underneath its hood anytime quickly. Nonetheless, for those who do, it’s a mixture from the automobile gods.
G80 BMW M3
Let’s begin by saying that there’s nothing incorrect with the G80 M3 because it stands. Its S55 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six is a masterpiece of energy and supply. Within the M3 CS, BMW claims 523 horsepower, nevertheless it feels much more monstrous than that. It wouldn’t shock me if its true energy determine began with a “6.” Nonetheless, it does have one flaw: noise. The S55 simply doesn’t sound good, even with fancier M Efficiency exhaust techniques. It sounds flat and generic, as if it had been tuned in Forza. So whereas its on-road outcomes are thrilling, its noise by no means actually is.
A V8 would repair that. I’m imagining what BMW’s new S63 engine can be like, and it’s legendary, a minimum of in my head. The S63 powers each huge Bimmer from the M5 to the X7, and it’s a monster of a powerplant. It makes 617 horsepower in most purposes and is able to far more. Nevertheless it isn’t essentially the additional energy that I feel would make it work so nicely within the M3, as that automobile is already quick sufficient. As an alternative, it’s the character it could add.
The G80 M3 isn’t like M3s of previous. It isn’t a scalpel-sharp sports activities automobile that simply so occurs to have again seats. It’s way more brutal than that, with seemingly infinite grip and energy. Driving the G80 M3 quick doesn’t really feel such as you’re dancing throughout the pavement, prefer it did within the biggest of M3s, however such as you’re pummeling the pavement into submission. So I really feel like a burly twin-turbo V8 would match its character so a lot better, particularly with all-wheel drive.
Paradoxically, what such a mixture makes me consider isn’t a BMW M product, however a Mercedes AMG. Extra particularly, the epic W204 Mercedes C63 AMG. OK, that had AMG’s naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8, the best possible engine I’ve ever used, so the M3 wouldn’t be that particular. Nonetheless, a mixture of the G80 M3’s agile dealing with, sharp steering, and tenacious grip with the S63’s energy and noise can be the stuff of legends. We’d be speaking about it for many years to return. Now think about it as a wagon…
BMW i8
I’ve pushed many BMW i8s over time and, throughout each single drive, I at all times felt it wanted to ditch its hybrid system for a correct inner combustion engine. Don’t get me incorrect, I like a very good hybrid system, I like EVs, and the i8’s powertrain was fairly sensible in its day. Nonetheless, as sensible as its three-cylinder, all-wheel drive hybrid setup was, it was the weakest a part of the automobile.
The i8 had a sensational mid-engine chassis, one thing that BMW followers begged their favourite model to construct for many years following the enduring M1. They’ve been begging BMW ever since, too. So it’s a disgrace that the Bavarians wasted it on a hybrid that solely made 369 horsepower. OK, so it nonetheless managed a sub-four-second 0-60 mph time, because of its pretty gentle 3,501-pound curb weight. Nevertheless it had a lot extra potential than that.
As an alternative of a puny Mini-sourced turbocharged three-cylinder behind the motive force, the BMW i8 ought to have had the S65 V8. Sure, the S65 was a bit previous at that time, and doubtless wouldn’t have met emissions. But when BMW may have figured it out, it could have made for a completely sensational supercar, one that might be inked in historical past books. The i8’s chassis was a factor of carbon-fiber magnificence, and its seems to be had been from one other planet. Are you able to think about a 414-horsepower, 8,250-rpm screamer powering it? And because the S65 isn’t that for much longer than the three-cylinder it’d change, it could even match fairly decently. BMW even confessed that it was initially designed to suit the S85 V10. Nonetheless, I feel the lighter, smaller V8 would have match the i8’s persona a bit higher.
Extra importantly, it’d remedy the exhaust problem. With the i8, BMW confronted the troublesome problem of constructing a three-cylinder sound worthy of a six-figure mid-engine supercar. And, frankly, it failed. Which is why it needed to resort to cabin speaker trickery to make the motive force assume there was one thing spicier behind their head. What I didn’t know till a latest Hagerty video with Jason Cammisa is that BMW additionally made a pretend exhaust pipe that was primarily a speaker, to trick even exterior bystanders into pondering it was extra thrilling than it was. That’s unforgivable and fully tarnishes the i8, a minimum of in my coronary heart. So rip out the Mini engine and the bulbous exhaust speaker, and stuff in a screaming V8 that may make a correct noise. It’d be the fashionable supercar that followers at all times needed, however BMW by no means constructed. Hopefully, a inventive and adventurous tuner reads this and will get to work.
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