What engine to fit?

[Paul Sheridan]

This has been done before but I couldn't find the post!

My wife's 3 series BMW came to the end of its useful life this year, and we replaced it with a more sporty 1 series, to be precise... a 2lr 118D sport.

Well I havn't been allowed to play with it properly if you know what I mean!!!  that is until today.

It is fitted with a two litre diesel lump and the 6 speed tiptronic gear box, which in automatic mode is pretty nimble, but put it in manual mode and even though the rev limiter kicks in at five and a half grand, it still becomes a real beast.

Now put this ensemble in a Phaeton and you would have the biggest sh1t eating grin of your face ever........ if I were to ever build another, that's what it would have under the bonnet.      

[Adrian Southgate]

Thats my plan for my phaeton, complete change to BMW mechanicals using subframes to adapt to the original chassis, so complete in fact you can take it to BMW and plug it in to get it serviced.

[Dave Adams]

the problem with the modern diesels is their overall running costs, by the time you get to fitting the engine from your wifes new car it will be very expensive to fix and repair .....more so if you only use it on short trips.

diesels need to be worked and worked hard. there is no requirement to run them in like some petrol engines need to be.

i know of taxi drivers who are going back to petrol engines because of their long term lower running costs over the newer diesels that need very frequent servicing and the emission control systems that dont like the constant short trips typical of taxi work.

i also hear that taxi drivers are comparing the fuel efficiency of the diesels versus petrol engines they are a lot closer than the claimed figures will have you believe and a lot lower, they tend to average out between 30-40 mpg....pretty much where they have been for the last 20 years. (my neighbors are all taxi drivers it seems....)

i used to be a BMW mechanic (and MOT tester) and they build good engines, i could be tempted myself, but only the petrol ones. or the older 6 cyl diesels with out emission controls.....which wont be easy to find as they weren't sold here in the UK.

but i quite fancy the Jaguar V6, or a Mazda rotary engine, and for a bit of fun a two stroke engine.

[Dave Price]

Idea for a rapid diesel Phaeton sounds great, but I believe with that much torque, traction becomes a huge issue.  

[Paul Sheridan]

My view is, that it is all relative!  learn to drive the vehicle with its given characteristics. Remember the majority of people would not be able to get a formula 1 car off the line, let alone get it to go around a corner, but given time and experience, the knowledge of how to use all that power will come.  Its all down to learning how to drive the car.

Ive seen people get into one of my 500+ bhp Astras and get the shock of their lives when the torque steer unexpectedly rears its ugly head because they just don't understand the principles of power to weight and getting the power through the tyres effectively, but once mastered, its great fun. 

So back to my original post, using the 2ltr diesel with the tiprtonic box, would give reliability, and the choice of using it in automatic mode for a leisurely drive and then, at the flip of the gearlever, turn it into something that would see off the majority of boy racers.

Ok there are for's and against's for all engines, but I would much rather service and maintain any modern engine over the old skool motors, but that just me :-)))

I cringe at  reading Martins post about his ignition problems ........ thinking, just take the lot out and chase it around the workshop floor with the biggest hammer you can find, its like living in the dark ages :-))))))) No offence Martin, I know there is another completely different side to the debate.

[James Doulton]

So where can I get my hands on one of your 500bhp Astra engines? It sounds like just the answer for my Legerra.

[Paul Sheridan]

Built to order Sir.