Gizmo said:
What always made the M3 "special" was that you couldn't get the same engine in a different/lesser model... Now its a case of "one engine for all models" type of thing and only the boost levels change...boring!
Engine wise, there is nothing to set it apart from the humdrum coming out of BMW today. At least the E90/2/3 M3 had a V8 to set it apart from the rest of the 3 series models.
The fact that you think the M3 has the same engine with only an adjustment on the boost levels, shows that you are clueless in this debate mate. :thumbdo:
There are SOME similarities between the two engines classes but off the top of my head here are some major differences:
Closed deck block
Larger bore
Shorter stroke
Arc spray cylinder liners
Forged crankshaft
Pistons
Completely different turbo philosophy and design(N55 uses a single twin scroll while the S55 uses twin single scroll)
Better cooling
Revised oil pump and pick-ups better suited for track use
Etc Etc Etc....
To me these changes make it an "M" engine and sets it apart...just because it isn't a V8 doesn't mean it's the same....and I can tell you the car is not boring....it may not be as exciting of a drive as say a Porsche Cayman, but "boring" it is not