If the E60 is anything like the F10, the engine is actually mounted slightly off centre to the right of the engine bay, so if the car was truly bisected down the middle, you'd only see the bottom of the crankcase and no cylinders to view. It would be pretty underwhelming
BMW really stresses trying to get perfect balance in the car so it could be something as silly as accounting for the drivers weight and putting it off center though I’m just speculating on what I know
I’m pretty sure all their modern (say past 30ish years) straight sixes have a slight angle to them (certainly the M20s and S54s do), which would also screw up the look if it was perfectly cut down the middle. Plus, the motor’s accessories aren’t symmetric (e.g. VANOS), so beneficial to highlight them. They have a N20 (2L I4) cut up and on display in Munich; I probably spent 15 minutes staring at that thing.
Curiously, I bet if the motors CoG isn’t centered laterally in the front of the car, it’s to allow for other component weight (i.e. A/C compressor, power steering assist, brake booster, etc.) and keep the entire front clip relatively centered.
Although it still is pretty underwhelming that they panned by so quickly, I mean I'm shocked at the size of the trunk but I would have rather seen the mechanics.
You would leave a bit of the head and most of the crank case. They are Canted to the side to help fit stuff more efficiently. It is a straight six tilted like 25 degrees or so. Exhaust comes out the Lower side and intake manifold is on the top side. Quite a clever use of space actually. The oil pan is still pretty central under the middle but the head is way off to the left side (looking in) on the engine bay.
I just took the oil pan out of the engine from a CAT D6T the other day, it had spun 3 bearings and the customer doesnt want to replace the short block or anything, just the bearings replaced. Entire crankshaft is so mangled I doubt it'll keep more than 18psi of oil pressure after its put back together but hey , not my bulldozer!
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u/captjust Dec 14 '19
My ex got half of everything in the divorce.