38 Votes

BMW Slashes V8 Production - V10 And V12 Go On Endangered Species List

Agent009 submitted on 9/2/2008 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 9:28:21 AM

48 user comments | Category: Misc News | Source: | SOURCE: www.bmwblog.com

As expected and rumored for quite some time now, BMW is looking to cut their large displacement engines production and focus on smaller, more efficient ones.

The first engine to see a decrease in the production numbers, is the famous V8 engine, used in BMW’s high-end models, like the 550i, 750Li or the new M3.

According to the BMW’s Union boss Manfred Schoch, based on the current demand for the V8 engine, a single shift operation working only four days week, could fulfill this demand. The V10 and V12 engines seem to be less popular as well and they might share the same “faith” in the near future.

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BMW Slashes V8 Production - V10 And V12 Go On Endangered Species List

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Not to nit pick but the V8 in the 550, 650, 750 is not the one in the M3.

The M3's S65 lump is based on the V10 but is completely new.
— lewishamiltonpimp (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 10:00:40 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 11

i'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing for future bmw owners. i'm sure bmw will make fantastic four's anyway.
— 1dott8 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 10:08:53 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

You make it sound like BMW doesn't make any 4 cilinder engines.....
— Heyhuub (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 11:14:44 AM | | Votes: 2

their best engines have always been the 6 cylinder anyhow. the v8 is as dead as disco.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 12:09:32 PM | | Votes: 5

they do but here in the US i'm not sure if they still have any. i know they used to.
— 1dott8 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 2:03:18 PM | | Votes: 1

no they make fantastic six cylinders and 8 cylinders which would be strange that they are cutting the 8 then what happens to the future 7 series
— B7FAN (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 2:10:43 PM | | Votes: 3

Interesting to note the BMW says worldwide v8 production can now be done at one plant running for only 4 days a week. That is a serious drop off.
— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 10:13:05 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

I still think that they can make a smaller v8 and add turbo to it.
— Brembo (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 10:43:17 AM | | Votes: 2

This is true
— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 11:30:35 AM | | Votes: 2

Fuel economy is driving lower cylinder count engines, not necessarily lower displacement. The name of the game in fuel economy is maximizing the displacement to sidewall contact ratio. A 2.0L I4 would get considerably better fuel economy than a 2.0L V8 even though the displacement is the same.

Also note that with a higher cylinder count there are increased frictional losses to the valve train and increased pumping losses to the cylinder head.

BMW already makes fantastic diesel fours. By some accounts, the best in the world (they have a diesel four that does a little better than 100hp/liter which is awesome for a diesel).
— GreenPlease (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 11:48:56 AM | | Votes: 7

Sigh...the V8 just began to return during the early 90s and now they're leaving us already.

So sad...so sad....
I still love the sincere power of the low rumbling V12s...guaranteed no turbo lag 'cause there isn't a turbo...real class, raw power!!!

sigh...it's gonna be another sad roundabout in the automotive world :(
— WorldofLuxury (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 1:40:45 PM | | Votes: 1

Brembo thay do already. It's the engine in the X6 and the 2010 555/755
— lewishamiltonpimp (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 5:27:21 PM | | Votes: 2

I drove a 550 for a few years and loved it. If driven easy you could get 26 mpg on the road. I hope BMW will continue to improve their V8's and not abandon them.
— pbarch1 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 11:04:08 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

The only way a 550 will get 26MPG is on the highway with a speed of 50 or 60MPH. Average millage which includes around town etc. is around 19 or 20MPG.
— jochet (View Profile)

Posted on 9/5/2008 3:45:57 PM | | Votes: 1

understandable, most people lease the BMW V6 models anyway...
— njsidekick3 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 11:09:23 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -14

I didnt realize BMW had a car with a V6......
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 11:20:56 AM | | Votes: 12

a BMW V6??? Is this your first time at a car website?
— pushrod27 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 1:09:30 PM | | Votes: 4

pushrod, BMW 6 cyl engines are I6s, not V6s. The poster was most likely being sarcastic.
— Janizary (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 1:24:05 PM | | Votes: -2

Wow, pushrod must feel like an idiot right now.
— MBKing (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 1:47:58 PM | | Votes: -2

I don't need you to tell me what's under the hood of a BMW. I know already. You should learn about sarcasm, then read me again.
— pushrod27 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 5:56:59 PM | | Votes: 4

Hyundai starts pushing V8's while BMW cuts production of them. Be afraid BMW fans, be very afraid.
— david999 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 11:21:49 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -9

BMW is reacting to the market. If sales for V8 are down keeping production up on engines would be silly.
— Agent009 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 1:06:20 PM | | Votes: 8

All that means is that Hyundai came to the party too late. BMW is making the proper and wise adjustments for the current market climate.

Driving a Hyundai is like buying clothes at Wal-Mart - you get a cheap knockoff of last year's designer fashions. Wal-Mart sells dresses and shoes now. Do you think Saks is worried about them?
— pushrod27 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 1:12:21 PM | | Votes: 7

Yet still i hear all of you saying Acura needs a V8. No they dont!
— BMW_DRVR (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 6:24:30 PM | | Votes: 3

Shut up Michael.
— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/3/2008 10:58:35 AM | | Votes: 4

I dont see the big problem with a 4cyl BMW they have been making one for years...as long it has performance and is reliable I dont see the issue....The other thing is 1 BMW has to continue production of the V12 because of Rolls Royce, the V10 not so much a twin turbo V8 could replace it just some purists may be upset about a normal BMW engine going in an M car..but it does make sense. Ive heard the new 7 series dropped the V12 option with the new generation already, but hopefully it will get it back soon as BMW seems to be running away from high end cars, to produce a ton of mainstream low end models...which is my only issue with them right now they appear to be giving up on the high end market....and on a side note that BMW picture is again rediculous like this posters other BMW hatred articles...the V10 was just released with the new M5 and M6 BMW had that title before this engine and will have it after...a V12 BMW ismore about prestige than anything else so I fail to see how BMW dropping a V10 that it just basically got, and a V12 which is more a prestige car, will kill its title of the Ultimate Driving Machine..........
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 11:28:09 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6

bmwdrvr, first of all, all BMW's are high end cars, getting better fuel econemy will not make them cheap, these are high end luxery cars. Also, BMW is not dropping their 8 or 10 or 12 cylinder motors, they are only reducing production, sales are down.
— jochet (View Profile)

Posted on 9/5/2008 3:55:12 PM | | Votes: 0

please dont respond to my post again.......I mean I hate to say this is the quality of posters going down or something.....you never even read what I said and yet you responded with a comment that makes no sense and has nothing to do with what I just said......why dont people actually read the post before replying to it....its starting to get old it really is..where are the old days where informed people would go back and forth now its like random comments about nothing at all............AGAIN IF YOUR NOT GOING TO READ SOMEONES POST DO NOT REPLY TO IT....
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 9/6/2008 11:36:01 AM | | Votes: 1

everyone was ripping on acura for not having a v8. everyone owes acura an apology...and a hug.
— 1995e34 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 12:11:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

BMW isnt selling a ton of V8's, but that is because of price point. Of course they will have a V8 in the new 7er. Of course they will continue to produce 4.8i X5's. I wouldnt put it past them to come out with a twin turbo 4 cylinder for the 1 series. they have very efficient 6 cylinders, why so serious?
— 2ndbimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 12:50:36 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

There is a problem with this article. BMW do not make V6, and I do have serious doubts about the credibility of this article.
— AdmiralT20 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 1:44:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Why all the worry? V10 & V12 engines, and cars that likely would be equipped with them, aren't very popular right now because of high gasoline prices. BMW can simply crank up big-engine productiohn when demand recovers.

BMW big engines are very nice, but their inline 6 is what has put this company on the map. Powerful, efficient, silky-smooth - a beautiful engine in every way. Supercharging or turbocharging a small-displacement I-6 might be the best way of achieving good fuel economy without diluting the BMW driving experience.
— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 1:49:42 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Where did S4 go?
— MBKing (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 1:50:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Good question. I have no ides. Anybody know?
— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 9/4/2008 9:37:41 AM | | Votes: 1

* idea, not ides.
— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 9/4/2008 9:41:44 AM | | Votes: 1

I thought that every BMW owner was rich and didn't bother with silly 4 cylinders, just the top of the line V8s?
— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 2:07:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

LOL. Don't listen to amazinBimmer, chewy!

Or were you being sarcastic? Either way, I got a laugh out of it.
— Audiphile (View Profile)

Posted on 9/4/2008 9:36:41 AM | | Votes: 1

Number of cylinders does not make a car great. So, it does not matter if BMW reduces production of big engines. This is simple: supply and demand.

P.S.: 009, how is that creation of yours relevant to this article?
— vladyxa (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 3:00:55 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Wasnt this expected? The number of 550i you see on the streets are rare compared to the number of 523i, 525i, 528i, 530i, and 535i that you see on the streets. So it only makes sense. As for the 7 series, I think most of them are sold in big V8, but the market for smaller engines is getting bigger.

As for their SUVs... V8s will always live!
— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 3:22:41 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

BMW's sweet spot has always been 4 cylinder and I-6 engines.

In fact, their V8's have, with rare exception, never lived up to the longevity and reliability standards set by their venerable I-6's.

Remember the alusil/nikisil V8 engine block issues in the mid-90's - cost BMW a ton in new engine replacements under warranty.

If you have a 540/740/545/745 with medium mileage (say 80K +) - watch out because gasket replacement, rebuild, and cooling issues are just around the corner.

BMW's last gen I-6 engines routinely went 300,000 miles when sticking to BMW's 'old' maintenance schedule.

Now many V8's will die around 100K or so. V8's cost BMW a lot of reliability credibility.

V-12's will be around to power the Roller's and 7's tho.
— nybimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 3:47:18 PM | | Votes: -2

That's not 100% accurate. I still see 90's 7 series' with V8s running around with no problems. Not to mention the 745s, still running around.

But I agree, BMW's I6 engines are definetly the best.
— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 9/3/2008 1:47:43 AM | | Votes: 0

After nearly three years with BMW 550i, would gladly go back to inline 6 cyl., with 3.5 L volume. Not a turbo fan. Extra weight of V8 effects handling and tire wear(Bridgestones runflats close to $500 each). A few speeding tickets cures the V8 thrill. Miss 2003 530i. Had sterling silver with sport package. Beautiful today.
— Dr550 (View Profile)

Posted on 9/2/2008 6:11:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

BMW just needs to focus on 2 engines, the V6 and the V8, these are the staples of their performance fleet. If their R&D can create ways to technologically tweaked the engines to use less gas and maintaining or improving the power and torque - that would be great. They definitely need new ideas in terms of new and renewable energy based engines. Their hydrogen based 7 series engine is great - if only they can trickle it down to their 1 and 3 series and have the dealer network offer the hydrogen filling station.
— raysatina (View Profile)

Posted on 9/3/2008 3:40:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

The "V6", sheeesh, where do these people come from?! BMW has NEVER had a V6, they are world famous for their inline sixes. A filling station at the dealer? We will need a lot more stations than one at every dealer and until hydrogen costs less than petrol no one will be buying one.

Haven't heard of the BMW X6 Concept ActiveHybrid? That and many other projects which fall under BMW's EfficientDynamics program have been underway for years.
— America (View Profile)

Posted on 9/3/2008 6:28:55 PM | | Votes: 2

It would a good idea if they buy engine from honda
— wanga (View Profile)

Posted on 9/5/2008 12:50:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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BMW Slashes V8 Production - V10 And V12 Go On Endangered Species List

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