The epitome of racing feeling in everyday traffic starts a new round. 35 years after the debut of the first BMW M3, BMW M GmbH presents the latest generation of its high-performance automobiles in the premium mid-size segment. Time to introduce the two new vehicles. In the #M3M4explained series, the developers have the floor.
When Torsten designs something, he devotes himself above all to the question of how the engine's torque reaches the wheels as perfectly as possible. The BMW M developer is responsible for the drive shaft of the new BMW M3 and M4 automobiles. In the video, Torsten introduces it and explains its advantages.
BMW M ENTHUSIASTS ASK, BMW M EXPERTS ANSWER.
Out of which material is the driveshaft of the new BMW M3 and M4 exactly made?
It's made from a special high-alloy cardan shaft steel.
Is there any difference between the drive shaft of the manual vs the automatic transmission?
Yes, they have a different length due to different gearbox length.
Is there more power train loss on the M4 with M xDrive compared to the RWD model?
Spoiler alert! Watch out for another episode to come.
Was a different design for the driveshaft considered for markets without particulate filters?
We always planned an identical shaft for worldwide use.
How do you ensure the adhesive capsule (see video) has sealed properly during fitting?
There is enough adhesive in the capsule to fill 3/4 of the remaining volume. The glue displaces the air due to its liquid properties.
What kind of fluid is in the capsule?
It is an anaerobic adhesive.
How has the adhesive been tested? Might it wear down over time and cause vibrations?
It was validated by a huge variety of endurance tests. The adhesive remains stable over time and temperature.
Would the old 90mm shaft be stronger compared to the new 50mm shaft?
Both variants can transfer the maximum forces just as well.
Are all drive shafts individually balanced still using counterweights?
Yes.
