07-18-2020, 02:51 PM | #1 |
Second Lieutenant
304
Rep 243
Posts |
I’ll miss the power dome hood
Am I the only one who misses the power dome hood on the M3/M4? I know it's a small detail, but I honestly feel like BMW's getting rid of the hood bulge is kind of a slap in the face to BMW's of the past. Ever since the E46 it's been part of what differentiates the real M cars from the non-M cars, at least from a design perspective.
|
07-18-2020, 03:10 PM | #2 |
Captain
691
Rep 804
Posts |
The power dome was introduced in the E9x (where it was needed because of the V8), and it was non-functional in the F8x. So hardly Hofmeister-Kink type heritage.
Also, the M2CS got the power dome, so make the math... |
Appreciate
0
|
07-18-2020, 03:19 PM | #3 |
Colonel
2003
Rep 2,499
Posts |
The power dome was introduced in the E46. Still regardless, I agree with you that it's not that big of a deal. It still gets unique sheet metal so it wasn't a cost cutting measure. It was just an intentional departure.
|
Appreciate
4
|
07-18-2020, 03:22 PM | #4 | |
Colonel
2003
Rep 2,499
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-18-2020, 03:32 PM | #5 | |
First Lieutenant
386
Rep 315
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-18-2020, 11:45 PM | #6 |
Captain
697
Rep 665
Posts |
BMW goes out of its way to ruin brand equity and heritage so why is this a surprise. This is the brand who's foundation was built on things like "telepathic" steering and bespoke M motors. Look at them now. Can't even respect a lousy bulge.
|
Appreciate
1
stein_325i25104.50 |
07-19-2020, 08:08 AM | #8 |
The Tanzanian
1317
Rep 1,511
Posts
Drives: BMW M3, Audi RS6, Mini Cooper
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Los Angeles, CA
|
I can't wait to see what the G82 looks like fully loaded with M Perf parts. It's going to be a(n expensive) beast
__________________
2023 F56 MINI Cooper SE Midnight Black II on Carbon Black 2021 C8 Audi RS6 Avant Mythos Black on Black/Grey 2016 F80 BMW M3 Black Sapphire Metallic on Silverstone |
Appreciate
0
|
07-19-2020, 11:00 AM | #9 |
Colonel
2199
Rep 2,559
Posts |
The G80\82 are going to have significantly more pronounced "nostrils" in the center of the hood leading into the grills than the 4 series, this will likely be the design element that replaces the "powerdome". So instead of recycling an old element a new take on the same concept of setting the hood apart from the standard series with an aggressive feature
|
07-19-2020, 05:33 PM | #10 | |
Colonel
2465
Rep 2,717
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
1
DZ F30303.50 |
07-19-2020, 05:44 PM | #11 |
Colonel
2199
Rep 2,559
Posts |
Meh, always looked like an afterthought to me... which it actually was because it was needed for engine/hood clearance. I only thought it actually worked as part of the design on the E9X
|
Appreciate
1
upsidedownfunnel2002.50 |
07-19-2020, 06:22 PM | #12 |
Colonel
2465
Rep 2,717
Posts |
Everyone has different tastes when it comes to car design.IMO the power dome is proportioned perfectly with the design of the E46 hood.
|
Appreciate
3
|
07-19-2020, 08:47 PM | #13 | |
Colonel
2199
Rep 2,559
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-19-2020, 09:17 PM | #14 | |
Private
69
Rep 52
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-20-2020, 02:49 PM | #15 |
Global Moderator
6386
Rep 2,309
Posts
Drives: E90 M3 6MT
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: USA
|
The Power Dome was a defining feature for several generations of M3/M4.
I'll miss it for sure but unless it's going to be functional or necessitated from an engineering standpoint (i.e., to clear the intake/plenum) like how it was on the E46 & E9x, I can definitely respect the decision to depart from it. I personally am a fan of the proportions & fluid design of the E9x M3's Power Dome, and how it's visible from the driver's seat. But, of course, I'm biased.
__________________
2011.5 E90 ///M3 | 6-Speed Manual | Slicktop | Jerez Black | Fox Red
E9x M3 Press/Media Archives Thread | S65-based Racing Engines Thread |
Appreciate
1
stein_325i25104.50 |
07-20-2020, 04:17 PM | #16 | |
Major General
5459
Rep 7,037
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
1
Law6386.00 |
07-20-2020, 04:52 PM | #17 |
Colonel
2003
Rep 2,499
Posts |
You don't think that's what the power dome was, though? Hood bulges similar to the power dome are a huge part of American muscle. That's why my first reaction to seeing the E46 power dome was distaste. I thought it looked like an afterthought and pointless aesthetics, though later it was found to be functional. We're all used to it now, which is why people are complaining, but I think it would have looked better without it.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-20-2020, 05:20 PM | #18 | |
First Lieutenant
386
Rep 315
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-20-2020, 05:25 PM | #19 | |
Global Moderator
6386
Rep 2,309
Posts
Drives: E90 M3 6MT
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: USA
|
Quote:
There's much to dislike and loathe about an afterthought that's due to poor design or cost-cutting but I tend to group the Power Dome in a different category, one that consists of things like fender flares and factory aero pieces on souped up versions of what are otherwise plebeian pedestrian vehicle platforms. It's these engineering-necessitated afterthoughts that make cars from skunkworks divisions so interesting & adored in terms of their appearance for those who appreciate them. Not everyone is a fan but the designs are truly form over function. There's no way to efficiently fit wider wheels & tires on a 'regular' sedan-based chassis without the afterthought of flaring/widening the wheel arches (i.e., many skunkworks cars, M, AMG, you name it.). There's no way to fit a 4.0 V8 with a volumetrically efficient plenum for the ITBs without bulging the hood (i.e., E9x M3). There's no way to make that econobox layout have the optimal cooling & aerodynamics without the afterthought of bumpers with large openings and large rear spoilers (i.e., Civic Type-R, Lancer Evo, etc.) Bespoke platforms/chassis are nice in that they provide a clean sheet design where everything that's there is there for a reason from the beginning. You have less design compromises since the body from the get-go has been designed around the engine that it's going to have, the tire widths that it's projected to have, etc. You don't see a Ferrari 812 with a bulging hood or fender flares despite its large V12 engine and wide tires precisely because the platform was designed from day one to accommodate for those things. But modifying a luxury or econobox sedan chassis and turning it into a sports car with a different engine, suspension, etc. is a different challenge altogether. It's these kinds of afterthoughts that make these types of cars what they are & many enthusiasts of these cars really appreciate the little bits of engineering that go behind them.
__________________
2011.5 E90 ///M3 | 6-Speed Manual | Slicktop | Jerez Black | Fox Red
E9x M3 Press/Media Archives Thread | S65-based Racing Engines Thread |
|
07-20-2020, 06:00 PM | #20 | |
Colonel
2003
Rep 2,499
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-20-2020, 06:06 PM | #21 |
Nightshift
16
Rep 26
Posts |
I'm sure after market hood options will have something that will suit everyone's taste.
__________________
2015 Alpine White M4
JB4, Downpipe Six Speed Manual Driver Mod and Lead Foot |
Appreciate
0
|
07-20-2020, 08:16 PM | #22 | |
Colonel
3179
Rep 2,577
Posts |
Quote:
I personally wouldn't categorize the power dome and fender flare on the E46/90 into afterthoughts design. The moniker of the vehicle - M3, for example, makes it very clear that it's a M vehicle built from a 3 series platform. It's all about the relativity here and the term "afterthought" is no exception. The 3 series platform is the "sheet", although not remotely as clean, that they started the work with. In this sense, the flares and domes are rather M engineering than afterthoughts, otherwise the entire M thing would be called afterthoughts. The afterthought is the things missed during engineering process (from the point of the "sheet" or the base you're given on). For example, the low hanging muffler from the F8X M2C/3/4, with which the BMW improvised to lightening emission law and crash safety/damage control. Afterthoughts can become true icons and traditions. Some of them, along with all other classic design bits, is expected to be carried on generation after generation for no particular engineering reasons, only to serve an identification purpose - the M elements.
__________________
Lemania 2320
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|