M90 Vs M88 (M1) 3.5 6 cyl

[8bit]

 I found these power and torque figures for the 1979 2 valve 3.5 and the M1's M88 motor, and can see why BMW didn't bother putting the M88 in the e12.

 M90 3.5 218 hp @ 5,200 rpm 229 lb/ft @ 4,000 9.3:1 CR

 M88 3.5 277 hp @ 6,500 rpm 242 lb/ft @ 5,000 9.0:1 CR

 BMW's 0-100 kph time for the e12 M535i was 7.5 seconds, for the 286 hp 10.5:1 CR e28 M5 it was 6.5 seconds. If they put the low comp M1 engine in the e12 figure a factory time of 7 seconds, and an extra 5 mph on top speed. The use of the M88 would have made the car only marginally faster, but much more expensive. It didn't seem worth it.

  As things stood the e12 M535i was as quick as the Porsche 928 4.4 V8, but only two thirds the price. It was even slightly cheaper than a 924 Turbo

 e12 5 series

 

[Cyclone101]

Here in South Africa you could buy a '83 745i with the m88 engine, 0-60 in 7s.

We also had the e30 333i, fitted with the 733i engine. We also had an aluminum bodied e30 with an Alpina 2.7 amd e30 m3 suspension, called the 325is.

A few other unique BMWs as well.

Funny things we had to do to get RHD performance BMWs.

333i

745i with m88

Edited February 22, 2016 by Cyclone101