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http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/2/AmericanFlag.jpg “We see potentially a significant market that could get to 100,000 four-cylinder engines in the U.S.” (rumors.automobilemag.com/6584256/green/bmw-to-re-introduce-four-cylinder-engines-in-us/index.html)

http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/501/2009_BMW_335d2.jpgAndrew Peterson - AUTOMOBILEMAG (rumors.automobilemag.com) - September 18, 2009

Never understood why they stopped importing the four cylinders -- Ed.

Automakers are planning to use smaller displacement engines to meet increasing fuel economy standards and BMW is no exception. BMW is planning to bring four-cylinder engines back to the U.S. in the next-generation 3-series by 2012.

BMW has not offered a four-cylinder model in the U.S. since 1999, but in 2012, we will see a four-cylinder 3-series make a resurgence on our shores equipped with twin-turbochargers like the 3.0-liter twin-turbo inline six-cylinder.

Jim O’Donnell, CEO of BMW North America, said that BMW will be able to reach U.S. fuel economy standards before 2015 by re-introducing four-cylinders to the U.S. The fuel economy standard O’Donnell is referring to is the 35.5 mpg average fuel economy standard set to take effect in 2016, with a 5 percent increase per year beginning in 2012.
... http://rumors.automobilemag.com/6584256/green/bmw-to-re-introduce-four-cylinder-engines-in-us/index.html

The M42/M44 engines in the E36 chassis 3 series cars was one of the best small engines they ever made. Great power, awesome FE, very reliable with few weak points. I had a 1996 318ti, with no - and I mean NO!, hm I used to get 27mpg beating the snot out of it. I can only imagine what I could be getting if I still had it.

I am really looking forward to the next batch of 4 banger bimmers - and turbo too!

But I'm still lamenting the delay of the diesel MINI.

I have a 1991 M42 powered E30 318i. It was a 1 year deal before the E36 came out. The 4 door M42 E30 was unique to America. It has 168k miles with no major repairs. Still has the original timing chain and gears. With a few minor modifications it screams past 7000 rpm, gets 27-30mpg city and 33-38mph highway depending on how fast I drive. I removed the power steering, converted to electric cooling fan, larger 22# EV6 style injectors, chip and intake through the driver's side high beam and swapped the stock 4.10 differential for a taller 3.64. It dynoed 134hp at the wheels. Its a great autoX tool and daily driver. 4 cylinder BMWs are a good thing.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3599/3386914113_9cce0b62dc_o.jpg

:woot:

Cool car and definatly a rare ride.

You may want to consider replacing that timing chain and tensioner though. I haven't seen many failures of them, but the ones I have seen were on higher mile cars that regularly saw high rpm track use. It would be some inexpensive insurance vs an engine if it were to let go.

w00t i still have a m44 engine with the auto tranny and i can pull 40 mpg steady state cruise at 100 km/hr!

at 120 km/hr it goes to 30 mpg but hey im not complaining at all! the speed is the same as a civic but the handling department is a different story. LOVE THAT FEEL FROM A BIMMER!

Wow, guess I didn't follow BMW much but I didn't realize they weren't offering 4cyls anymore even in the base 3-series. Hope they bring it back soon.

Main-stream buyers may turn out to prefer a well thought-out 4-cylinder over the I-6 counterparts. The I-6, being naturally balanced, does run with a smoothness that can be tricky to achieve in a 4-cylinder (which requires balance shafts and all that jazz). But there's one thing I don't like about the 3-series I've driven and ridden in: the engines drone like nothing else. Maybe it's just a function of having 50% more cylinders (which means a firing event 50% more often). I don't really know. But it isn't a problem I have ever had with my 4-cylinder cars. Even my 5-cylinder Volvo didn't do it. I would say it could be a RWD thing but my first car was RWD and that didn't do it, either. Even my wife has commented on this (her sister has a 328i) so I know I'm not just imagining it.

Hi All:

___BMW has more 21st century, 4-cylinder tech in its arsenal than probably any manufacturer on earth including Honda! The question will be, is the US consumer ready to purchase it? Mini is BMW’s answer to CAFÉ and they have to keep sales high or BMW will run into problems. With either the 2016 or the 2020 35 mpg CAFE (27 mpg actual) mandate, BMW will have to move quickly to convince their US customers to purchase much more fuel efficient 4’s. With the poor uptake of the much more fuel efficient 335d and X5d’s, it may be tougher than we think?

___Good Luck

___Wayne