M-Power: The All New M3 & M4 - Part 2

Take the letter M for example, which BMW claims is the most powerful letter in the world. Put it together with 4, and you have the all new BMW M4....

80 kilograms lighter than its predecessor, the all new BMW M4 coupe is the new BMW M3 coupe... Aside all commercial and marketing value in its name, The M4 is an M3 in a coupe body... But commercialism and marketing is not what were here to discuss... The M-division of BMW has gone down a rather different path this time...

Coupe Bodied M3?

Words of TopGear Magazine UK

Well yes... Obviously. Aside from the drop in weight of 23 kilograms as compared to the new M3. The M4 is largely similar to its sedan sibling. Gone is the beautiful high-revving V8 and in with an all new twin-turbocharged straight-six. Though smaller in displacement as compared to the V8, engine response is immediate. As stated in my previous article on the M3, when poor engineering is used to bind engine and turbochargers together it doesn't deliver a happy couple.... But the new M4 has a party trick up its sleeve... In sport plus mode, the ECU keeps those twin-turbos spooling by controlling airflow whilst still injecting petrol into the cylinders, the result is lag-free response. The moment you get on the throttle, the response is without hesitation. It's immediate, it's quick, its brutal and it's utterly magnificent... Going 0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, it's faster than it's bigger brother, the M6. As compared to the previous V8 this all new engine delivers 150 more newton metres of torque, while being 10 kilograms lighter. 

Aside powertrain engineering, M-division has also put a lot of work in to the chassis. The whole car comes in 80 kilograms lighter as compared to the previous generation. The suspension is completely bespoke, and is an adaptive system. It's direct, precise and accurate... It responds to every angle of the steering wheel. There's almost no understeer, step on the gas and with the instant wave of torque, you'll be drifting and sliding through corners and that's where the clever M-differential really comes in to place. The balance is perfect and that clever electronic differential as mentioned, really knows its business. Switch of traction control, and you'll be doing fast laps, drifting sideways with some opposite lock...


Then we come to stopping power, which comes from either M-compound steel brakes or M-compound carbon ceramic brakes. Sensational, is the only word... There's no fade in braking performance, especially if you've optioned the carbon ceramic brakes. The whole car from 100km/h comes to a standstill in 99 feet. This amazing stopping power will help drivers to brake late through a corner, and maintain a higher speed through a bend. 

Conclusion.... Turbocharged M3 & M4?

Both are superb cars.... It's a slight let down that BMW has decided to step away from natural aspiration, though I understand the reasons they had to. The result however, is much better than expected. Despite new technologies incorporated into the car, the new BMW M3 & M4 remains as one of the best handling cars out there....
BMW: Sheer Driving Pleasure

Powered By M: The All New BMW M3 & M4 - Part One

Near identical... Well obviously apart from the doors. The all new BMW M3 and M4 is reborn rather differently than purists & enthusiasts might expect. 

Lets start with their similarities... Mainly Turbocharging... For the M division of BMW, turbo's are not common and are unusual amongst their nearly perfect sports cars and super cars. With the new twin-turbocharged straight-six engine's lower redline at 7300 rpm as compared to the rpm of previous car's 4 litre V8 at 8300rpm, this new car does bring up a lot of new worries. The previous M3, M5 and M6 all had superb naturally aspirated engines. The previous M3 (E90) had an amazing V8 that revs to 8300 rpm and the engine from the M5 (E60) and M6 (E63) had a superb V10 that revs to 8250 rpm, so turbos? Hmmm... not so music to your ears when you're an M Power enthusiast because when a poorly engineered engine with turbo's are developed, it kills engine response and causes turbo lag. But we'll get back to this topic in a moment...

The Twins?

There are some common similarities amongst the M3 and M4 as you can expect which includes the suspension setting and system which only differs fractionally but only to take into account the M3's additional 23kg due to the additional doors and so on. Available still is a 6-speed manual gearbox, although 90 percent will opt for the 7-speed dual clutch DCT transmission. Power is delivered via a carbon propshaft through a very sophisticated differential to the rear wheels. M compound steel brakes (with blue calipers) come standard with 18 inch rims whereas carbon ceramic brakes (with gold calipers) are optional with 19 inch rims.

Launch Control Procedure - With Double Clutch M-DCT

1. Turn off stability control & traction control.
2. Engage manual mode on the shifter.
3. Make sure the DCT transmission is in the most ferocious setting.
4. Hold brake.
5. Floor the throttle (while still holding brake)
6. Release brake.

And so... The M3

First, the driving experience. The basics, which will start with the seats which are beautifully sculpted to your body, holding you in while you corner hard. There's even a conventional handbrake, which is great! The knob for the 7-speed double clutch DCT gearbox is a bit of a hassle to operate at low speed cruising but does the job brilliantly. Beside the transmission knob are the buttons for controlling the steering response, engine response, suspension damping, gearbox ferocity and stability control. Traction control does cut in slightly early however, but hey turn it off and you'll be having the time of your life....

Pushing it to its limits, the M3 doesn't seem to be putting in much effort. Its difficult to criticise, even when placed aside its rivals. A comparable C63 AMG would be too ghastly due to its twitchy character and really an over-torqued powertrain. An Audi? The RS4  would might be just as fast but might be less involving and less fun due to its Quattro 4-wheel drive set up. All great cars, but my pick would be the M3. The drivetrain does exactly as told, steering, pin sharp and accurate, suspension, smoothing out bumps and isolating body roll, gearbox, utterly smooth and crisp. So far so good, you'd be getting exactly what you'd expect of an M-Powered vehicle. 

This generation of the M3 differs in character as compared to the previous M3 with a 4 litre V8. The previous M3 had an engine so crisp, so responsive, so pure that it had a certain 'on the edge' character. You had to adapt to the drivetrain. The new generation however, is more of an all rounder. The broad torque curve delivers a great driving experience. Though the redline of this new engine is lower by 1000 rpm as compared to the previous M3's V8, the response is amazing. Torque comes in at an early 1850 rpm. As stated earlier, it's not a very happy couple when poor engineering is used to bind engine and turbocharagers together, but this new M3 is different, it responds to every blip of the throttle, with every millimetre of pedal travel it responds immediately. No lag, no hessitation in the powertrain. By far this could be the most well engineered turbocharged engine out there. It's amazing how two teeny turbo's the size of a bottle cap is kept spinning at 120,000 rpm and maxes out at 190,000 rpm, so when you need the power and jab at the throttle, all you need is already there. 

Conclusion... Hmmmm... A baby or junior M5? That's rather inaccurate but there are undoubtedly some similiarities such as the 7-speed dual clutch DCT transmission and so on, but the M3 is so much more agile and entertaining. It's an amazing car: Quick, Brutal, Unstrained, Utterly Superb and Amazing...
So, turbocharged M3? Yes, please....

Read part two of my review @ http://automobilesatitsbest.blogspot.com/2014/07/m-power-all-new-m3-m4-part-2.html

Drive Smart: The World Of Brakes & How They Work...

Comparison Between Disc Brakes and Drum Brakes

Before one can understand the benefits or disadvantages of drum brakes or disc brakes, one has to understand how they function.

Drum brakes function when the brake pedal is pressed which exerts pressure on the brake fluid. The pressure is then transmitted uniformly from the master cylinder, through a pipe, to the slave cylinders near the wheels. This will then move the slave pistons forward, forcing the brake pads against the drums attached to the wheels to slow down the vehicle.

Disc brakes function by the brake callipers applying pressure to the brake discs, thus creating friction which then slows the vehicle down to a stop. This brake system functions somewhat similarly as compared to the drum brakes. Pressure is applied to the brake pedal which then transmits a uniform pressure via the brake fluid which is transmitted from the master cylinder to the slave cylinders located near the wheels.

The Causes of Brake Failure

1. It is important to note that this system works only because of the fact that the brake fluid is incompressible, any contamination within the fluid will effect the braking efficiency of the vehicle. 
2. If an air bubble is detected within the system, the effectiveness of the system will be affected. The pressure applied in the master cylinder will not be effectively transferred to the slave cylinders as the air bubble is incompressible. This will affect the motion of the pistons in the slave cylinder and as a result the braking efficiency of the vehicle is affected.

Composite Materials in Brake Systems

On high performance and exotic vehicles, composite materials for the brake systems are offered as an option or as standard. For example the Ferrari 458 Italia offers Carbon Ceramic Brakes as standard whereas, the Porsche 911 Carrera S offers it as an option for US$8520 in the American market. 

Porsche's PCCB System
(Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes)

The advantages of using composite materials such as ceramic or carbon are their high heat tolerance, mechanical strength and their reduction in weight as compared to standard iron discs. As an example, Porsche's PCCB system achieves a 50% weight reduction and a higher temperature tolerance with a significant reduction in generation of brake dust as compared to the standard steel discs. 

Fun Fact: The Birth Of Ferrari's Iconic Prancing Horse...

Ferrari S.p.A. is an Italian luxury sports car based in Maranello, Italy. Founded 1929 by the legendary Enzo Ferrari, Ferrari has produced many iconic and legendary super cars such as the Ferrari F40 which is the first car to have a top speed exceeding 200mph or 320kmh and many other ground breaking super cars... Despite their amazing history, few know how the iconic 'Prancing Horse' logo or in Italian Cavallino Rampante came about.

The logo was originally the emblem of a World War I fighter ace Francesco Baracca. Enzo acquired the rights for it in 1923 upon a fatal crash that caused the death of Francesco. The first Ferrari road car to utilise this iconic logo is the 1947 Ferrari 125S.

Gran Turismo 6... A whole new level?

The worlds most renowned racing game has to be the Gran Turismo series exclusive to the PlayStation platform. Making its first ever debut on the 23rd of December 1997 on the PlayStation One console, it delivered a whole new level of gaming experience. Back then, praised by critics, this game won many countless awards such as "Best Driving Game" or "Best Graphics" of year 1999 according to the staff of PlayStation Official Magazine. 

The BMW 6 Series is a typical example of a Gran Tourer

The latest iteration in to this ground breaking series is named, Gran Turismo 6 or for short GT6. Gran Turismo when translated from Italian brings the meaning, gran tourer. A gran tourer is a vehicle of high luxury or performance capable of spirited long distance driving and cruising. 



This game, GT6 launched on the 5th of December 2013, hits a gaming milestone of having 1207 cars, which is the highest number of vehicles in a game ever recorded surpassing Gran Turismo 5 which has 1074 vehicles. Being launched in 2013 there are many new vehicles featured in the game such as the Pagani Huayra, Range Rover Evoque, Corvette Stingray (C7) and many others. Not only does the vehicle count impress but the track and circuit count is also breathtaking. From circuits varying from Nurburgring Nordschleife, Germany to Daytona Speedway, USA this game provides an amazing experience to drive on ever popular circuits around the world. Special events such as the Goodwood Festival of Speed was also incorporated in the game. 

Personally, I myself have owned every Gran Turismo game on the PlayStation platform and I can report that the differential between Gran Turismo 5 and Gran Turismo 6 is vast. From the variety of vehicles, to the variety of the worldwide circuits, Gran Turismo also offers a realistic and dynamic driving experience that's close to reality. Developed by Polyphony Digital and assisted by members of the Red Bull F1 team such as Adrian Newey, an F1 engineering guru and Sebastian Vettel, a 4 time Formula One champion (2010-2013) Gran Turismo 6 offers a console driving experience like none other. Paired with the official Logitech Driving Force GT steering wheel gaming accessory built specifically for this game, it delivers a gaming experience that surpasses any other driving game on the market. 

A whole new level you may ask, needless to say the very best out there for a truly dynamic and realistic driving experience.

The Evolution of Petrol Injection

Petrol injection is essential to the combustion of an engine. The definition of petrol injection in motor vehicles is, the delivery of petrol in to the combustion chamber or cylinders prior to combustion. As time passes, fuel injection is getting  more advanced and cutting edge to deliver not just more power but efficiency as well. 

The first and oldest method of fuel injection is via carburettors. A carburettor is a device that mixes and combines petrol and air for the engine. The mixture is then exposed in to the cylinder compressed and ignited. Resultant exhaust gasses exit the cylinder via the exhaust valve. 

Next in line is sequential port fuel injection. As compared to carburettors, port fuel injection does not pre-mix the air-fuel mixture before being exposed in to the cylinder. Petrol enters the cylinder through a valve and the air as well enters the cylinder via a separate valve. The mixture is then compressed by the piston and ignited. The benefit of this system in today's current engines is improved efficiency, as the injection of the fuel and air mixture is controlled via an ECU (Engine Control Unit) also known as PCM (Powertrain Control Module), the system can adjust the optimum mix or balance of fuel and air depending on the engines RPM's in the mixture to provide a more efficient combustion cycle for more efficiency and better power delivery. 

The most advanced fuel delivery system to date is called, direct injection. In direct injection, air enters the cylinder via a valve, the petrol however unlike port fuel injection is delivered via a nozzle in the cylinder injecting petrol directly in to the cylinder hence the name, direct injection. The mixture is then compressed and ignited, the resultant exhaust gas is exited via the exhaust valve. The benefit of this advancement in fuel delivery is that the ECU works with the Engine Management System or EMS and is able to regulate fuel injection timing and spark timing to deliver improved efficiency and efficient power delivery. The EMS can adjust the timing of the fuel delivery in to the cylinder and adjust spark timing to adapt to the engine's requirements at any given RPM to deliver power efficiently.  

Understanding Oversteer and Understeer

Understeer and oversteer are terms of vehicle dynamics. In simple terms, understeer is when the vehicle turns less than expected by the driver and oversteer is when the rear of the vehicle begins to drift hence the term drifting. These terms are defined based of the angle of the steering wheel position associated with the speed of the vehicle through a bend.

An example of understeer is when a driver turns through a bend and the front end of the vehicle will turn less then expected and the front end of the vehicle ploughs to the outside of the bend. Thus, reducing driver confidence and control. Oversteer on the other hand is the opposite, Oversteer is when the rear end of the vehicle wants to come around in a corner (visualise drifting as an example).  

Understeer is a common characteristic of usually front-wheel drive cars. With the front axles not only handling steering input but the weight of the car as well, front-wheel drive vehicles suffer from understeer with the weight of the whole vehicle pushing the car forward, causing the car to plough further to the outside of the bend. Oversteer is a phenomenon typically seen on rear-wheel drive vehicles. With the rear axles applying power to the ground, the rear of the car wants to come around causing oversteer as seen in the diagram above.