N43 E46

[budgie]

I was lucky enough to have a new E46 compact for a couple of hours yesterday and I just wanted to say how impressed I am. The idle and startup is so smooth that you have to look at the tacho just to make sure that it is running. The power down is excelent It is as smooth as can be and at 4200rpm it pulls like a turbo with 1/2 bar boost. Unfortunatly I wasnt alowed to start pulling things apart to have a good look at the nuts and bolts. But I can tell you that this 318 ti was the model with no throttle body the engine speed is controled by valve lift and timing. The rocker arms pivot on a controlable eccentric. If you have a close look it does seem to have a throttle but I am told that it is only for limp home mode. Well like I said I was very impressed and if anyone gets the chance to ask either of the Andreas's they will tell you that it is not easy to impress me with a car HA HA HA

[Gojira]

I had one of those as a loan car and was impressed with the engine, especially compared to the boat anchor that lives under my bonnet.

The Valvetronic idea, like most good ideas, is magically simple and good, I love it.

I was also impressed with the amount of smoke that the tyres could produce, but not so impressed with the interior (especially the door handles) and the lack of centre armrest (best $320 I ever spent).

But a valvetronic 3.2l six would be rather nice.

Did anyone read the bizarre letter to Motor about how valvetronic only moves the restriction, that guy needed a good schlapping, total wanker.

[340V8]

Hi Davo, how are things in Deutschland for you ??
so, you have driven a car without a camshaft hey.

loved it ??

[budgie]

Hi AG Germany is good, How is GAH getting on? The N43 has camshafts as fer as I know it is not valvetronic but the rocker arms are adjusted by the DME changing lift and timing on the fly. I think that valvetronic is only in the six. But I could be wrong. I'm just upset that they wouldnt let me pull it apart!!!