Page 2 - M-Series

Claiming to be the ultimate at anything requires some physical proof. BMW has no issue backing up their claim of being the Ultimate Driving Machine with the extensive thought and engineering they put into every vehicle, especially when it comes to their prized M3. This M-car not only exemplifies with mantra but also consistently raises the bar, specifically with the mind-bending performance figures that the G8X platform puts out. We're here to do the same regarding what's under the M3 and M4's hood, specifically for the S58's intake system.

To start with our final testing, we need to rewind to our prototype of this new design. This prototype kit was always destined to pull double duty, both for checking our fitment along with performance testing, so we ensured that our 3D prints could withstand the heat under the M3's hood. Make sure that you head to our

Oil is the lifeblood of any motorized vehicle out there. Proper lubrication is key to ensuring all of your engine's components keep from melting or shredding each other to pieces. Whether you're trudging through your daily commute or conquering the track, maintaining proper oil temperatures is vital for both the performance and longevity of your G8X M3 or M4. These M's make driving a much more special experience, but high temperatures or a leaky cooler can knock them down a few pegs.

BMW's unrelenting efficiency is both a blessing and a curse, specifically when it comes to its ability to package components in and around the engine bay neatly. On the one hand, it makes for a neatly arranged engine bay laid out for optimal performance. Still, it also means some essential components are either hard to reach or mounted in a precarious position, like the oil cooler, for example.

The S63 contained under the hood of BMW's F1X generation M5s and M6s have quite the appetite for power. Unfortunately, this hunger and impeccable taste mean that these Ms aren't easily satiated, and it takes a full course meal to satisfy their cooling needs. So far, we've only just looked at the menu for our intercooling upgrades, but now it's time to give it a small taste.

Even as advanced as our modeling programs are, the virtual workspace can only get us so far. Also, we felt the need to triple-check our work, given how particular we are about fitment, combined with our larger intercoolers. The best way to review the fitment of our intercoolers without starting mass production is by putting our 3D printers to work. Within only a few hours, we're able to churn out a 1:1 scale replica of our new intercooler design that's ideal for test fitting.

The term 'power hungry' typically isn't a great way to describe someone. This phrase carries a negative stigma for those willing to sacrifice it all to make their way to the top. However, when it comes to your executive sports sedan, this is precisely the descriptor that you'd want to hear, with the F1X platform BMW M5 and M6s being no exception.

The S63 under the hood of these big M's isn't starved for power. In fact, it's quite the opposite. The stout 4.4L twin-turbo V8 rolled off the assembly line with 523 HP and 502 TQ crammed under the hood. However, even with this healthy dose of power, the M5 and M6 yearn for more speed, and we're happy to facilitate that need.

For forced induction

The big BMW M's, like the F1X M5 and M6, are the young executives of the automotive world. They're powerful yet hungry for more. They're decisive and maneuver with precision, but most importantly, they're cool under pressure. Sometimes though, they can lose their cool, and for the M5s and M6s of this era, the oil cooler tends to be the source of their undoing. Luckily, we've already started on our plan to help the F1X's keep climbing the performance ladder.

Before we dig into our plans to improve the M5's oil cooler, let's take a look at the OEM cooler. BMW engineers are masters of packaging. Effective use of space is the name of the game, and when it comes to fitting the array of coolers on the front of their powerhouse sedans. In the case of the oil cooler, the engineers mounted this heat exchanger horizontal and right at the edge of the M5's big-mouthed fascia and perpendicular with the rest of the cooling stack. This mounting method means that the cooler effectively utilizes the

BMW's M Division is locked in the perpetual pursuit of driving perfection. So with the launch of each new M3, the bar for the luxury performance sedan is raised. From the scrappy S13 powered E30 to our big nostriled G80, BMW evolved the M3 to harness mind-bending performance while keeping you, the driver, quilted in utmost luxury.

In a perfect world, we wouldn't need to tear down our brand new M3 shortly after it rolls into the Mishimoto R&D facility, but BMW isn't the only one chasing perfection. Plenty who choose the M3 or M4 for their means of transportation are attracted by the platform's additional potential. One of the keys to unlocking that potential is through the intercooler's heat exchanger.

If you're scratching your head at the notion of a heat exchanger, that's

Innovation moves fast these days. Anything heralded as a technological feat is already outdated by the time it hits the market. Well, sort of. BMW has a knack for engineering iconic cars, specifically when it comes to the benchmark of the performance compact sedan: the M3. The launch of the G8X M3 and M4 might have delivered polarizing looks, but this generation's performance leaves a lasting impression. But even though it's the most powerful M of this class to date, enthusiasts still want more, and an upgraded air intake kit is the best starting point. 

The upside to fast-moving innovation is that it helps streamline our process. Once upon a time, our intake development took a long time. There was much more custom fabrication and manual measuring required to generate a prototype. Thanks to the wide array of tech housed under our R&D facility's roof, we're

Perfection isn't something that comes by accident. It takes heaps of careful planning and consideration to even come close to the status of "perfect." Take the M3, for example. For decades it's been considered the benchmark of sports sedans, and no manufacturer can release any fast four-door without first facing the mighty M on a test track. This didn't happen out of pure dumb luck, but rather M-division pouring countless hours of planning and consideration into each of their vehicles. The G80 continues that practice, and we intend on applying the same mindset for our intake system for the S55.

Our planning started with the evaluation of the stock system, which we

The muscle car is a simple recipe written by Detroit in the 1960s. Start with one heaping cup of fire-breathing power plant. Add two rear wheels slinging the power to the road and a manual transmission to taste, then garnish with a sleek, sexy shell. Simple, yet effective. Like any simple recipe, though, someone always comes along with the artisan take. The result is essentially the same, but with a waft of complexity and pretension, much like the E6X M5 and M6.

BMW isn't the first thing that comes to mind when discussing muscle cars, but the formula fits. One screaming 5.0L V10 at the front, power sent to the rear wheels, and one big grin gleaming through the tire smoke. Like their American cousins, the Deutsche Braun Bimmers need adequate cooling to perform their best. Specifically, they