3 Modern BMWs That Deserved a V8 Engine

BMW’s historical past with V8s is a unusually selective one. Among the model’s most iconic automobiles had been constructed round eight cylinders—the E39 M5, the E92 M3, the E38 7 Sequence, 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 identified for. BMW earned its status on good 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 number of nice V8 alternatives on the desk, particularly within the trendy period.

And positive, 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 number of extra. So which BMWs would’ve been even higher with a V8?

BMW 1M

That is a simple one. The BMW 1M will all the time be an enthusiast-darling, because of its raucous turbocharged straight-six engine, razor-sharp dealing with, and pugnacious appears to be like. It was additionally a little bit of an underdog, having been comprised 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 could’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 decent match, nevertheless it works, and it provides a lot extra character to the littlest M automotive. Even in the event you overlook the ability improve—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 normal blown-six.

Add that high-revving V8 and killer soundtrack to what’s already one of the vital fun-to-drive BMWs of the trendy period, and you’ve got the proper M automotive. Plus, you’d lastly be giving it a correct M engine, relatively than simply an off-the-shelf N54.

Whereas a number of tuners have already constructed such automobiles, don’t count on to see many extra. BMW solely constructed 6,309 1Ms for patrons worldwide, and just for the 2011 mannequin yr, which makes it uncommon and helpful. Modifying it could scale 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 unique engine underneath its hood anytime quickly. Nonetheless, for people who do, it’s a mixture from the automotive 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.” Nevertheless, 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, not less than in my head. The S63 powers each large Bimmer from the M5 to the X7, and it’s a monster of a powerplant. It makes 617 horsepower in most functions and is able to far more. But it surely isn’t essentially the additional energy that I feel would make it work so properly within the M3, as that automotive is already quick sufficient. As an alternative, it’s the character it might add.

The G80 M3 isn’t like M3s of previous. It isn’t a scalpel-sharp sports activities automotive that simply so occurs to have again seats. It’s way more brutal than that, with seemingly limitless 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 significantly better, particularly with all-wheel drive.

Sarcastically, 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 very best engine I’ve ever used, so the M3 wouldn’t be that particular. Nevertheless, 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 come back. Now think about it as a wagon…

BMW i8

I’ve pushed many BMW i8s through the years and, throughout each single drive, I all the time felt it wanted to ditch its hybrid system for a correct inner combustion engine. Don’t get me incorrect, I really like an excellent hybrid system, I really like EVs, and the i8’s powertrain was fairly good in its day. Nevertheless, as good as its three-cylinder, all-wheel drive hybrid setup was, it was the weakest a part of the automotive.

The i8 had a sensational mid-engine chassis, one thing that BMW followers begged their favourite model to construct for many years following the long-lasting 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 mild 3,501-pound curb weight. But it surely had a lot extra potential than that.

As an alternative of a puny Mini-sourced turbocharged three-cylinder behind the driving force, the BMW i8 ought to have had the S65 V8. Sure, the S65 was a bit previous at that time, and possibly wouldn’t have met emissions. But when BMW may have figured it out, it might have made for a fully sensational supercar, one that may be inked in historical past books. The i8’s chassis was a factor of carbon-fiber magnificence, and its appears to be like had been from one other planet. Are you able to think about a 414-horsepower, 8,250-rpm screamer powering it? And for the reason that S65 isn’t that for much longer than the three-cylinder it’d exchange, it might even match fairly decently. BMW even confessed that it was initially designed to suit the S85 V10. Nevertheless, I feel the lighter, smaller V8 would have match the i8’s persona a bit higher.

Extra importantly, it’d clear up the exhaust situation. With the i8, BMW confronted the tough 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 driving force suppose there was one thing spicier behind their head. What I didn’t know till a current Hagerty video with Jason Cammisa is that BMW additionally made a faux exhaust pipe that was basically a speaker, to trick even exterior bystanders into considering it was extra thrilling than it was. That’s unforgivable and fully tarnishes the i8, not less than 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 trendy supercar that followers all the time wished, however BMW by no means constructed. Hopefully, a artistic and adventurous tuner reads this and will get to work.