BMW talk

[ZDan]

Originally Posted by RaceR

I totally agree 110% with what you say. I find my self nodding.. yes, yes.. So true, so right..

OMGs, I have been agreed with on the internet! This is unprecedented

Ill just say one thing about the stuff you said.
yes, you would like the car better if it was a NA 2.0.
...
The contingent that aim for engines producing half the amount of CO2 of a typical 2.0L NA engine.
...
The efficient engines are a part of BMWs success over here. All competition basically have turbo engines. They would not have a chance if they went the normal NA route. Its just the way things are in EU. Some countries are worse than others. Im from one of the worst, I know..

OK, 1.5 turbo

Here is proof. Ill show some insanity:
BMW E81 116D (diesel, the work of satan, and a car that is quite "heavy" considering the 1.gen 1-series was not light and diesel engines add to that)
In 2009-2011 those engines had 115hp. But there was also a 90hp version. 90hp BMW in a new 2011 model BMW is something for you US guys to chew on.. :P

Yeah, I don't think that'd go over well here in the states...
I'm not a fan of diesels, anyway, though some over here are. Power/weight like you suggest, it just isn't there. But a highish boost 1.5 gasoline engine, could make upwards of 300hp and be quite efficient, no?

Id much rather do that on F20/F21 114I which have a much better chassis, and a petrol engine. But there are issues with the new BMWs.
1- Have not come across a way to get engine mapping into sport mode when DSC off. Default is comfort, which is not responsive at all.

I don't know if I get what "sport mode" is. I want the throttle to open half way when my foot is halfway down, and ALL the way when my foot is all the way down. Really hate the idea of a "sport mode" that just increases throttle opening per foot position, basically only makes it harder to modulate!

Unless this "sport mode" is something else...

2- No chip to make it into a more powerful 118I. Yes, I could just buy the 118I and maybe do a little tuning if desirable.
3-E-LSD are activated when DSC is off. It would probably not interfer with when a proper locking diff are installed, but Id feel better not running into the risk.

I think I'd have to disable any "e-lsd" feature if I had a REAL limited slip.

A dream OEM car would probably be more of hardcore "baby" m-car with around 230hp, and 4 usable seats (not much larger than the 86) Due to taxes, I would have chosen turbo and minimzed lag as much as possible. 1.5l high reving 3-cylinder engine (or some light weight KERS hybrid stuff that the GT86 might get). Give me a OS-giken style diff with 100% locking capacity too. It could be the baby M2 CSL, just like the E30 318is was the baby "m" car..

Sounds great to me! Rather have N/A, but that's ok

The only reason why 3-series are so fat is because of its size and engine, and not focusing enough on weight from the start.
F21 M135I weight 290 pounds more than F21 118I.
A performance 118is/218is (CSL) could easily get down to 2700pounds. A 2-series could as well if made right..
There are so many opportunities.

Don't let me get optimistic, we both know it ain't happening

I have also dreamed about a Z2, maybe named Z22. A compact Z-series car with 2+2 layout. That would not mess up the normal BMW lineup.
The car would be a mix of a 218IS CSL and a GT86.

BMW will probably make a Z2 with fwd.

[RaceR]

Originally Posted by ZDan

Yeah, I don't think that'd go over well here in the states...
I'm not a fan of diesels, anyway, though some over here are. Power/weight like you suggest, it just isn't there. But a highish boost 1.5 gasoline engine, could make upwards of 300hp and be quite efficient, no?

Im not a fan of diesel either, but 90hp and low CO2 would equal zero engine taxes in Norway. A little inexpensive chip would give a 116D extreme bang for the buck in terms of power..

Originally Posted by ZDan

I don't know if I get what "sport mode" is. I want the throttle to open half way when my foot is halfway down, and ALL the way when my foot is all the way down. Really hate the idea of a "sport mode" that just increases throttle opening per foot position, basically only makes it harder to modulate!

Unless this "sport mode" is something else...

Cars like the new 1,3,5-series ("F"-code cars) have a button that normaly have these 4 modes:
-Eco Pro
-Comfort
-Sport
-Sport+

This little mode changing button can change the following aspects of the car:
-Engine mapping (engine response, and maybe even a little change in power)
-Throttle pedal response
-Steering response (I think it basically just changes the weight of the steering. But it depend on the options)
-Suspension
-Automatic gearbox

-If you have a car with normal suspension, not adaptive (sport) suspension. It will not change suspension. You can have normal m-sport suspension without any electronic stuff.
-Manual gearbox will not be affected by the electronic button
-Steering, if you go for the normal steering it will not be affected by electronics. Not sure if every country have that option though. There are two "options" you can get on the steering.
So, if the car is made as simple as possible. The little driving mode button will only change engine response and throttle pedal response.

You have a traction control button with two modes:
DTC, press and its into traction mode. Nice for snow and stuff i believe.
No DSC (if you hold the button for 5 sec). Problem is, this is basically comfort mode (with E-diff) and no stability control. Why on earth would they make it go into "comfort mode" when you turn for the DSC compelety off?

-Eco Pro
-Comfort
_____DTC (traction mode, -comfort setting)
-Sport
-Sport+ (same as sport, but with less traction control, you can get a LITTLE sideways
_____NO DSC (sideways fun and do whatever, but with comfort driving dymanics)


So, lets say you want to do some track driving.
Sport+ = Great for going fast, but not a proper track-mode since electronics can interfer if loosing grip. Useless for sideways fun and drifting.
DSC OFF= You can now go sideways and do whatever you want. But not good for the track with sluggish throttle response/engine mapping. AutoX would be useless if you were competing. You would loose acceleration out of every corner..

That is how it is with current cars as far as I know..Im not sure if this is a problem all over the world, nor if the M135I work that way. I know the M135I can adjust some mode stuff that you can not on the normal cars.. So its better, and maybe even it can be adjusted perfect..
Proper M-cars should work fine..

I know there is a ton of stuff that is possible to get reprogrammed with a computer, free software and some OBDII cable. But not sure if anyone have found out that stuff yet.. The cars are still quite new, and the more hardcore people will probably just buy M-cars. It is certainly something Im going to check if buying a new "f"-series BMW.

Those things are what can be problems with modern cars, and a thing that might get worse in the future.. Coding/programing may be something that gets normal in the tuning process for enthusiats.. who knows..
I know there are people in germany who are quite good at it.
There are even pure "coding/programming" forums for BMWs. So there is hope, and help, and some cool stuff that can be done...

Previous 1-series just need an LSD, turn of DSC and your good to go.. But its heavier and not as good as the new models in most aspects..

[RaceR]

Sport Auto has piloted the M135i around the Ring in 8:18. The test car was RWD and equipped with a 6 speed manual transmission.

Here's how this time compares to other notable cars with similar lap times:

7:48 - BMW M3 GTS
7:50 - BMW M3 CSL
8:05 – BMW E92 M3 (2007)
8:09 – Audi RS4 (2006)
8:09 – BMW E63 M6 (2005)
8:13 – BMW E60 M5 (2004)
8:13 – Mercedes C63 AMG (2009)
8:15 – BMW 1M Coupe (2011)
8:16 – Porsche Cayman S (2009)
8:17 - Porsche Boxster S (2009)
8:18 – BMW M135i (2012)
8:18 - Lexus IS-F (2007)
8:22 – BMW E46 M3 (2000)
8:22 - BMW M Coupe (1998)
8:25 – Lotus Exige S (2008)
8:26 – Audi S5 (2008)

I think that is quite good! Compare with 1M and E46 M3..

[Turbowned]

I interrupt this technobabble to bring you... pics of my E30!







Gotta love 26xxlbs, 5spd Getrag, LSD, 134hp and 30mpg in an affordable package