What are your top ten engines in any car you have driven?

D

dem maser

Moderator
Messages
34,254
An engine that delivers a mix of everything not just sound
Cars that i have owned are in this order
V6 Alfa
Maserati V8
TS Alfa
M3 3.2 e36
320d mix of performance and 60 mpg
 
happydaze

happydaze

Member
Messages
574
Easy. The Indy I had in the '70-'80s. The combined exhaust/intake sound was superb...

My current 3200GT - not far behind!
 
mjheathcote

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,038
My 4200 V8 of course, with Larini, down shifting blips along narrow dry stone walled country roads with the windows open.
My Stag V8 of course, I've enjoyed that for 33 years so far, even had people follow me home due to the exhaust waffles, like the piped Piper!
My BMW B58 straight six, so smooth, so much torque, and a wonderful cold start bark when pushing the start button. A nice start to the day for a daily driver.

Then looking back, it wound have to be my old Alfa 33P4. Quad cam boxer with straight through autodelta exhaust!
Then not strictly mine, but my Dad's Honda Civic VTEC. One of the first in the country around 1990 ish. That VTEC on cam scream to 8K was addictive. Loved borrowing that car in my early 20's!
 
philw696

philw696

Member
Messages
25,476
Sorry to disagree there Hans as I feel they are very good driving car.
Totally different to Italians but good all the same.
 
Contigo

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
  1. BMW S85 V10 (used in M5 and M6 cars)
  2. Maserati V8 4.7 (GTS)
  3. Maserati 3.2 (3200)
  4. Audi 4.2 V8 (RS4 B7)
  5. Audi 2.7 V6 (RS4 B5)
  6. Mazda MX5 NA lump (both 1.6 and 1.8 completely unburstable.
  7. Subaru Impreza Boxer Engine (first gen 2000 unit)
  8. Golf 1.8i 8V engine as used in mk1 and mk2 GTI.
  9. Alfa 3.2 V6 Busso.
  10. Porsche 3.8L Mezger engine. (GT2,GT3 etc)
There are many more but those are ones which have just wowed me over the years. The Ferrari 4.5 lump in the 458 is terrific too and the V12's used in 599, F12 and 812 etc are incredible.
 
R

roofline20

Junior Member
Messages
50
no 1.gordon keeble v8 cheve 10 years with no trouble ,and would leave the indi to 80 in the dust,2 bmw 4.4 v8. 3 maser 3200 but a bit unreliable.
 
Lavazza

Lavazza

Member
Messages
1,060
This is a difficult one because different characters of engine suit different applications and moods, but here goes...
The order is a little up for debate ("o" is owned, "d" is driven, but not owned):

  1. Mk1 GT3 CS; 3.6 Mezger n/a high revving, crisp and characterful (o)
  2. E46 M3 3.2 n/a; Straight 6 (o)/CSL (d) - again, high revving and very willing.
  3. Granturismo S 4.7 (o)...don't think I need explain on here!
  4. Lotus Exige S (o) Toyota 3.5 V6 Supercharged...sooo fast and doesn't sound bad either.
  5. Aston V8V 4.3 n/a (o); great sound, but the GTS has the edge on it in sound and depth of ability IMO.
  6. 996 Turbo 3.6 flat 6 Mezger (d); immense overtaking shove.
  7. 993 Carrera 3.6 & 964 Carrera n/a aircooled (o); lovely characterful engine, but lacks pure shove or operatic sound.
  8. R129 500SL 5.0 V8 32 Valve (o); creamy power and so refined.
  9. Lancia Fulvia S1 1300 V4 Rallye S (o); so willing and smooth.
  10. Honda NSX 3.2 V6 n/a (d); so flexible and free revving (I also enjoyed the 2.0 VTEC in my old CRV!... as used in the Atom).
Edit...for contrast, to calibrate, some great engines in other cars I've owned/driven, but not quite made the cut (in order): Cayman 987 S 3 4 flat 6 (lovely howl when pushed), it probably deserves to be on the list? SL55 AMG V8 Supercharged (brawny!), E92 335d straight 3.0 6 twin turbo (great torque), Exige S2 190 Toyota 2ZZGE 4 Cyl (zingy and effective).
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.