"Wimpy" NG engine??

[Stilian Elenkov <elenkovs@vtls.com>]

harrison sapir wrote:
> 
> In the world of German cars of the same vintage producing 168hp stock...it's
> damn embarrassing.
> 
> harrison
> 
 I assume you are talking about the 2.5L I6 12v BMW engine rated at
168hp and 160 lbft. Well the BMW engines is bigger and has a cross flow
head and mechanical lifters that need adjustment every 15k miles if not
sooner. The NA 2309cc I5 audi engine is quieter (yes it is) and almost
as smooth especially at higher revs as the I6, and has 136hp and
142lbft. It also has non cross flow head (bad for performance, but
quieter) and hydraulic lifters. The audi engine is also much more
reliable if maintained properly (maintenance is cheaper than the I6),
and has a better torque curve (proportionally speaking). The I6 12v
engine is good, but expensive to maintain and not very reliable. The
second generation I6 24v is much much better. I like the 2.3 NA I5 10v
engine in my 885ksQ (now damaged in an accident) as much as do the 3.5L
I6 in my euro 735i 5sp, despite the 50hp and 60 lbft difference. I do
not know what is embarrassing for this quiet, decently powered, quit and
ultra reliable engine. 

Stilian

P.S.
I used to have '83 323i (fun, but unreliable) and my dad had '87 525i
(terrible car), now he has '92 535is (much better).