3 Cylinders !!!

Richard52 · 10-11-2018, 01:57 AM

My car is in for repair, after the other driver let her X3 roll into me - she was having a bad day apparently.

Anyway I've been loaned a 218i auto cabriolet and what an agile nippy car for city driving.Its size ,and everything in sport, makes for zippy progress in town. The software for the auto keeps the car in the right power range.

Obviously on the motorway you have to know the car's limitations.

Three cylinders - more than capable for realistic and lawful driving.

RustyBitz · 10-11-2018, 02:08 AM

That must be awful, a small engined Auto with extra body weight being a convertible.

I have had plenty 118d loan cars and they are pig slow.

creepy coupe · 10-11-2018, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard52

My car is in for repair, after the other driver let her X3 roll into me - she was having a bad day apparently.

Anyway I've been loaned a 218i auto cabriolet and what an agile nippy car for city driving.Its size ,and everything in sport, makes for zippy progress in town. The software for the auto keeps the car in the right power range.

Obviously on the motorway you have to know the car's limitations.

Three cylinders - more than capable for realistic and lawful driving.

I've just sold a mini Clubman Cooper with the 3 banger. I though it was a fantastic engine. Punches well above its weight.

NotGotABimmer23 · 10-11-2018, 02:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard52

My car is in for repair, after the other driver let her X3 roll into me - she was having a bad day apparently.

Anyway I've been loaned a 218i auto cabriolet and what an agile nippy car for city driving.Its size ,and everything in sport, makes for zippy progress in town. The software for the auto keeps the car in the right power range.

Obviously on the motorway you have to know the car's limitations.

Three cylinders - more than capable for realistic and lawful driving.

I had a 218i coupe loan car and i thought it was gutless. Was a manual which doesnt help as the bmw manual box is dreadful. The mid range acceleration was on a par with my wife's kia picanto 1.25.

Edinburra · 10-11-2018, 02:46 AM

3 cylinders, why that's only half an engine!

Which bit do you get? The front half or the rear half?

teaston · 10-11-2018, 02:46 AM

It bad enough those engines that have 2 cylinders missing, but 3 cylinders missing is just ridiculous!

speedski · 10-11-2018, 02:51 AM

Must admit, went in a Peugeot 1.2 Petrol 3 cylinder yesterday (loaner as colleagues Merc got hit) and we were both really surprised, given the size and displacement just what this thing could do.

Sure they aren't for purists, but the engine technology out of such a small block really surprised us.

MashinBenzin · 10-11-2018, 03:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard52

My car is in for repair, after the other driver let her X3 roll into me - she was having a bad day apparently.

Anyway I've been loaned a 218i auto cabriolet and what an agile nippy car for city driving.Its size ,and everything in sport, makes for zippy progress in town. The software for the auto keeps the car in the right power range.

Obviously on the motorway you have to know the car's limitations.

Three cylinders - more than capable for realistic and lawful driving.

Sounds good. I imagine the engine weighs a lot less and contributes to the nippy feeling and handling - probably a fair saving over even a four-pot diesel.

BMW's autobox programming is generally excellent I think - so important in getting the best out of the available power. If I put the power gauges on in my 440i, it's very noticeable how little of the power/torque is used around town, I'm sure a good zingy 3 cylinder is enough in a 2er (as long as expectations are kept in check).

ByTheSea · 10-11-2018, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedski

Must admit, went in a Peugeot 1.2 Petrol 3 cylinder yesterday (loaner as colleagues Merc got hit) and we were both really surprised, given the size and displacement just what this thing could do. Sure they aren't for purists, but the engine technology out of such a small block really surprised us.

We've had a 3 cyl non-turbo Polo for 15 years, as a run-around town car. Aside from the slightly lumpy start you would never guess at the engine.

creepy coupe · 10-11-2018, 03:08 AM

Before I drove one my opinion was pretty much as per the comments above. But I had to eat my own words. I'd rather have one over BMW's 4 pot diesel engine.

JD6 · 10-11-2018, 03:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByTheSea

We've had a 3 cyl non-turbo Polo for 15 years, as a run-around town car. Aside from the slightly lumpy start you would never guess at the engine.

We have a 5 door Mini Cooper D with a 3 cylinder engine. It does have quite a weird wobble on starting - quite disconcerting until you are used to it. Once on a run though, it is a remarkably smooth and well-balanced engine - actually more like a 6 cylinder than 4.

creepy coupe · 10-11-2018, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD6

. Once on a run though, it is a remarkably smooth and well-balanced engine - actually more like a 6 cylinder than 4.

Yep.More natural crank angle than a four.

ossi1 · 10-11-2018, 03:39 AM

They put the same BMW 1.5 turbo 3 pot into the Mini cooper. Its a great little engine in that guise. I tried it in the 2 series and was a little underwhelmed.

It really must struggle in the 318i .

creepy coupe · 10-11-2018, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ossi1

They put the same BMW 1.5 turbo 3 pot into the Mini cooper. Its a great little engine in that guise. I tried it in the 2 series and was a little underwhelmed.

It really must struggle in the 318i .

I can see putting it is a 3 series could be a step too far.power to weight and all that. Mind you they put it in an i8 and it's not bad

TouringPleb · 10-11-2018, 04:09 AM

The engine in the new Fiesta ST is a 3 cylinder job and that gets great reviews.

doncarlyon · 10-11-2018, 04:25 AM

Ford have had the 1.0 3 cylinder in the Fiesta for years now... 140ps is crazy from a 1.0 but thats evolution for you. Not sure i'd like one in a Mondeo though ha ha.

We test drove a 1.0 Focus a couple years ago and it felt exactly the same to drive as the 1.6 Focus we had just got out of.

creepy coupe · 10-11-2018, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doncarlyon

Ford have had the 1.0 3 cylinder in the Fiesta for years now... 140ps is crazy from a 1.0 but thats evolution for you. Not sure i'd like one in a Mondeo though ha ha.

We test drove a 1.0 Focus a couple years ago and it felt exactly the same to drive as the 1.6 Focus we had just got out of.

One of our customers was developing the 1.0 Ecoboot for a rally team and managed 250 BHP

The engine in the ST is 1.5 which is only +4bhp over the Mini

225 · 10-11-2018, 04:34 AM

Well having just given back a 1.0 65bhp 3pot polo it made me glad to be back to 4 cylinders even in rattly derv form! Even my love for a petrol over a derv didn't stretch to that engine in that car.

doncarlyon · 10-11-2018, 04:41 AM

65bhp??? ha ha

admg · 10-11-2018, 04:49 AM

I've got the b38 in a mini cooper and its fantastic. Wouldn't fancy in it something bigger though!

Last courtesy car I got from Harry fairbairn was an x2 20d and fully loaded which was a nice change from the previous 116D's!

isleaiw1 · 10-11-2018, 05:04 AM

3 cylinder Mini Cooper and 3 cylinder Ford Fiesta in our household. Both very good engines. Would happily choose either again. Definitely preferable to a 4 pot derv...

drykoke · 10-11-2018, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ossi1

They put the same BMW 1.5 turbo 3 pot into the Mini cooper. Its a great little engine in that guise. I tried it in the 2 series and was a little underwhelmed.

It really must struggle in the 318i .

I recently drove an LCI 318i Auto around town, and I was very impressed.

Sweet, responsive engine, and sharp nippy handling. The front end seemed to turn in much better than my 320i (N20) and 318d that I have previously tried.

I haven't been able to find out how much lighter (kg) the 3 cylinder lump is, but I think for school runs and town commutes, it works very well.
Obviously not suitable for higher speed or challenging situations that demand more power.

10-11-2018, 01:57 AM	#1
Richard52 Private First Class 12 Rep 101 Posts Drives: F30 328i AT Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Manchester iTrader: (0)	3 Cylinders !!! My car is in for repair, after the other driver let her X3 roll into me - she was having a bad day apparently. Anyway I've been loaned a 218i auto cabriolet and what an agile nippy car for city driving.Its size ,and everything in sport, makes for zippy progress in town. The software for the auto keeps the car in the right power range. Obviously on the motorway you have to know the car's limitations. Three cylinders - more than capable for realistic and lawful driving.
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10-11-2018, 02:08 AM	#2
RustyBitz Colonel 1574 Rep 2,157 Posts Drives: X3M Competition Join Date: May 2017 Location: Cheshire Cat iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X3M Compet ... [0.00]	That must be awful, a small engined Auto with extra body weight being a convertible. I have had plenty 118d loan cars and they are pig slow. __________________ CURRENT X3M Competition- Toronto Red [url=https://www.deutschespeed.com/threads/the-bimmerpost-refugee-thread.561/]Car[/url]
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10-11-2018, 02:46 AM	#5
Edinburra Major 547 Rep 1,484 Posts Drives: Audi A5 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland. iTrader: (0)	3 cylinders, why that's only half an engine! Which bit do you get? The front half or the rear half?
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10-11-2018, 02:46 AM	#6
teaston Banned 10998 Rep 32,881 Posts Drives: X3 M40d Join Date: May 2012 Location: The High Seas iTrader: (1)	It bad enough those engines that have 2 cylinders missing, but 3 cylinders missing is just ridiculous!
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10-11-2018, 02:51 AM	#7
speedski Major 548 Rep 1,067 Posts Drives: Former F40/F36/E81/E85 Owner Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	Must admit, went in a Peugeot 1.2 Petrol 3 cylinder yesterday (loaner as colleagues Merc got hit) and we were both really surprised, given the size and displacement just what this thing could do. Sure they aren't for purists, but the engine technology out of such a small block really surprised us.
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10-11-2018, 03:08 AM	#10
creepy coupe Lieutenant General 1868 Rep 13,043 Posts Drives: BMW M340I G20 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: UK iTrader: (2) Garage List 2015 BMW 435d [0.00] 2009 335i [0.00]	Before I drove one my opinion was pretty much as per the comments above. But I had to eat my own words. I'd rather have one over BMW's 4 pot diesel engine. __________________ -------------------------------------------------------------- Current car.M240i. Previous.MINI JCW. E92 325i. 435d M235i.M135i. 635d Coupe, E92 M3 manual, E92 M3 DCT Competition Pack. E92 335i, Porsche Cayman S Gen2, 135i Coupe. E92 320d, MK5 R32. MK5 Golf GTi,MK5 Golf GT-TDI,E46 318Ci.
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10-11-2018, 03:39 AM	#13
ossi1 Banned 124 Rep 268 Posts Drives: M Sport 340i Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	They put the same BMW 1.5 turbo 3 pot into the Mini cooper. Its a great little engine in that guise. I tried it in the 2 series and was a little underwhelmed. It really must struggle in the 318i .
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10-11-2018, 04:09 AM	#15
TouringPleb Brigadier General 4372 Rep 4,230 Posts Drives: SRB 440i GC Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Cambs iTrader: (0)	The engine in the new Fiesta ST is a 3 cylinder job and that gets great reviews.
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10-11-2018, 04:25 AM	#16
doncarlyon Captain 258 Rep 757 Posts Drives: Megane RS 300 Trophy Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne iTrader: (0)	Ford have had the 1.0 3 cylinder in the Fiesta for years now... 140ps is crazy from a 1.0 but thats evolution for you. Not sure i'd like one in a Mondeo though ha ha. We test drove a 1.0 Focus a couple years ago and it felt exactly the same to drive as the 1.6 Focus we had just got out of.
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10-11-2018, 04:34 AM	#18
225 Brigadier General 2287 Rep 4,937 Posts Drives: 340i Join Date: Jan 2016 Location: Uk iTrader: (0)	Well having just given back a 1.0 65bhp 3pot polo it made me glad to be back to 4 cylinders even in rattly derv form! Even my love for a petrol over a derv didn't stretch to that engine in that car.
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10-11-2018, 04:41 AM	#19
doncarlyon Captain 258 Rep 757 Posts Drives: Megane RS 300 Trophy Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: Newcastle Upon Tyne iTrader: (0)	65bhp??? ha ha
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10-11-2018, 04:49 AM	#20
admg Private First Class 31 Rep 125 Posts Drives: G30 540i xDrive Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Scotland iTrader: (0)	I've got the b38 in a mini cooper and its fantastic. Wouldn't fancy in it something bigger though! Last courtesy car I got from Harry fairbairn was an x2 20d and fully loaded which was a nice change from the previous 116D's!
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10-11-2018, 05:04 AM	#21
isleaiw1 Lieutenant General 8810 Rep 12,268 Posts Drives: iPace / Mini Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	3 cylinder Mini Cooper and 3 cylinder Ford Fiesta in our household. Both very good engines. Would happily choose either again. Definitely preferable to a 4 pot derv...
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