[mousefarmer]

I am just wondering what other 6 cylinder car engines are as smooth as a BMW N51 or N52. I am looking for something maybe from the same era but from a different manufacturer. From what I've read straight 6 cylinder engines are smoother than V6 engines.

Does Mercedes, Volvo or Jaguar offer something similar?

[MmmmmM2]

Mercedes offers a single scroll 6 cylinder turbo on their E53 sedan and other vehicles.

[evil-G-nius]

Acura makes some very smooth V6 engines as does Lexus/Toyota. Problem is the rest of the cars are pretty much a snooze fest. Mercedes has gotten rid of the 6 cyl for the E350, the 450 still has one and of course like M2 said the E53. Is there a particular price, performance, or pedigree you are looking for or is this just a FYI type of inquiry?

[mousefarmer]

Originally Posted by MmmmmM2

Mercedes offers a single scroll 6 cylinder turbo on their E53 sedan and other vehicles.

that is a 2021.

[celsdogg]

Originally Posted by mousefarmer

that is a 2021.

If you a really dead set on the time frame from the N52 era i think you are out of luck. Mercedes just brought the I6 back. It hasn't had one since before the Chrysler time frame. I think BMW was the only manufacturer to continue with the I6 while everyone else was chasing reduced cost and tighter packaging.

Toyota has one now. oh wait. . .

edit: spelling

[heavyD^2]

BMW is probably the gold standard. It's their niche like boxer engine is to Porsche (okay Subaru but their engines are junk). Mazda is developing a new inline 6 which should be interesting as it's going to be the most affordable vehicle to utilize an engine like this.

[mousefarmer]

Originally Posted by celsdogg

If you a really dead set on the time frame from the N52 error i think you are out of luck. Mercedes just brought the I6 back. It hasn't had one since before the Chrysler time frame. I think BMW was the only manufacturer to continue with the I6 while everyone else was chasing reduced cost and tighter packaging.

Toyota has one now. oh wait. . .

Seems like its all too little too late. It sort of like ten or twenty years ago after disconnected TV antenna and stopped watching TV because of annoying commercials and then FCC came out after this point and said they would put a limit on the volume increase for commercials. By that point I was gone already.

So if they (Mercedes or whomever) come out with a new car with straight 6 its sort of pointless now when I'm looking at electric cars for new ones.

It is sort of like looking at a good deal on horses when the Model T came out. There is always a high price to pay to be one of the early adopters.

[mousefarmer]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

BMW is probably the gold standard. It's their niche like boxer engine is to Porsche (okay Subaru but their engines are junk). Mazda is developing a new inline 6 which should be interesting as it's going to be the most affordable vehicle to utilize an engine like this.

Yeah and Subaru engines sounds like they are going to vibrate apart.

Mazda has had and interesting history with engines but they have been sort of hit or miss. The recent Skyactiv X was hyped up but the reviews have been sort of disappointing. They have an interesting strategy where they are going to try and tweak the gasoline engine as long as possible and wait a little while before jumping in the electric car space from what I read.

[tdott]

Lexus had the IS300 with a 2JZ-GE, they switched to a v6 in 2005.

[evil-G-nius]

Originally Posted by mousefarmer

Yeah and Subaru engines sounds like they are going to vibrate apart.

Mazda has had and interesting history with engines but they have been sort of hit or miss. The recent Skyactiv X was hyped up but the reviews have been sort of disappointing. They have an interesting strategy where they are going to try and tweak the gasoline engine as long as possible and wait a little while before jumping in the electric car space from what I read.

I wonder if some of the ire is due to shit transmissions. I think in a manual the Skyactive could be nice & lively granted it needed more power for my taste. But every car I have driven with a CVT trans has been boring AF and ruined the driving experince...I wonder if Mazda suffered from that with this engine

[mousefarmer]

Originally Posted by evil-G-nius

I wonder if some of the ire is due to shit transmissions. I think in a manual the Skyactive could be nice & lively granted it needed more power for my taste. But every car I have driven with a CVT trans has been boring AF and ruined the driving experince...I wonder if Mazda suffered from that with this engine

Well I test drove the most recent Mazda 3 when it came out like 2019 or so whenever the new one came out. I think it had a Skyactive G and 5 speed automatic. The car had almost 180hp and felt sluggish. The steering felt heavier than an e90 BMW at low speed. It felt like the same level of stiff steering as an e90 low on power steering fluid. It was a bit too much.

They made the interior nice and quiet but they have been cheaping out on the transmission only offering 5 speed and offering a crappier suspension than earlier Mazdas while telling potential customers that these things aren't needed. Its funny how people try to justify cheapness.

[heavyD^2]

Originally Posted by evil-G-nius

I wonder if some of the ire is due to shit transmissions. I think in a manual the Skyactive could be nice & lively granted it needed more power for my taste. But every car I have driven with a CVT trans has been boring AF and ruined the driving experince...I wonder if Mazda suffered from that with this engine

Nope. Mazda is one of the few Japanese automakers that doesn't use a CVT in their compacts and mid-size vehicles and I give them props for that as IMO CVT's are one of the worst things to happen to vehicles in the last 15 years. It pretty well marks most Japanese vehicles off my shopping list automatically.

[evil-G-nius]

Originally Posted by heavyD^2

Nope. Mazda is one of the few Japanese automakers that doesn't use a CVT in their compacts and mid-size vehicles and I give them props for that as IMO CVT's are one of the worst things to happen to vehicles in the last 15 years. It pretty well marks most Japanese vehicles off my shopping list automatically.

Good to know! I love a lot of their recent designs but I never paid attention to anything other than the manual trans.

I 100% agree with you that the CVT is the poster child of what never to do in the automotive world. That and those stupid "dial" shifters! Such a stupid ass design...whoever thought it was a good idea should be kicked in the nuts

[RM7]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M112_engine

[stein_325i]

Something from that era is tough because then more brands were using V6's compared to now when some have switched back to I6's. Volvo did make I6's however they were transversally mounted. MB V6 is probably the closest you'll get but if you are after smoothness, an MB V8 would be better.

[SlowX6M]

[POBEP]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_M112_engine

I had 2001 W203 C240 6MT with E26 M112.
Incredible motor - smooth as N52.

[RM7]

Originally Posted by POBEP

I had 2001 W203 C240 6MT with E26 M112.
Incredible motor - smooth as N52.

I had the C320, incredibly smooth V6.

[F32Fleet]

All I6 engines are inherently smooth running.

Benz brought back the I6.
Mazda is coming out with an I6.

[Murf993]

Porsche flat 6