BMW M4 GTS Water Injection System to See Implementation in More Cars

[Jason]

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BMW M4 GTS Water Injection System to See Implementation on More Cars

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According to Autocar, Bosch, the maker of the water injection system featured in the BMW M4 GTS, is now offering the technology to the wider automative market. Beginning in 2019, we'll see the feature implemented in other manufacturer's cars. But, as co-developer of the system, BMW will likely first introduce the water injection system into more of its models.

Although the water injection system's primary role in the M4 GTS is to boost power (up to 5%) and prevent heat soak, Bosch says its primary focus is to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions, with a promise of a boost in fuel efficiency by as much as 13% and reduction in CO2 emissions by 4%.

A Bosch representative explained that the system Bosch is offering to the market is basically identical to the one on the M4 GTS and BMW's co-operation was highly beneficial to overall development.

The representative said: "It's pretty normal thing to have a pilot customer to develop the system together before offering it to the market, and now as we launch to the wider market the system’s costs will come down as volume goes up."

[F32Fleet]

Perhaps walnut blasting may become a thing of the past.

[TheBingoBalls]

Me thinks it'll only be M Performance models while leaving the base and other volume models the same. As cool as it may be, and I'm sure this yields some benefits, I'd rather have a less complex car and not have to worry about another component relating to the engine.

[Nordkeyz73]

This would be awesome on M cars, but might be a bit complicated for the regular series production cars in terms of people forgetting to check the water, adding to the base price of the car etc. ...

[vladislav]

OEM methanol injection system.... a dream come true

[E9TOU]

Originally Posted by Nordkeyz73

This would be awesome on M cars, but might be a bit complicated for the regular series production cars in terms of people forgetting to check the water, adding to the base price of the car etc. ...

Perhaps it'll be part of routine maintenance and owners/techs will be reminded to check the water level when doing an oil change or something similar. I'm not sure how often the system needs be checked on the GTS.

[Amnizu]

Originally Posted by E9TOU

Perhaps it'll be part of routine maintenance and owners/techs will be reminded to check the water level when doing an oil change or something similar. I'm not sure how often the system needs be checked on the GTS.

My guess is they manage low water with nag ware / dash light and pulled tune / timing based upon a low water error.

The bigger risk to me is people in regions of the country with hard / soft water not using distilled water causing deposits and potential engine damage.

[dkhm3]

Originally Posted by E9TOU

Perhaps it'll be part of routine maintenance and owners/techs will be reminded to check the water level when doing an oil change or something similar. I'm not sure how often the system needs be checked on the GTS.

as i recall the water in the gts should last the entire range of the vehicle, needs to be checked each time you fill up.

distilled water only.

i have a feeling people will fill it up with tap water and break it. just doesn't seem like a good idea for the general public.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by E9TOU

Perhaps it'll be part of routine maintenance and owners/techs will be reminded to check the water level when doing an oil change or something similar. I'm not sure how often the system needs be checked on the GTS.

IIRC from the GTS literature, BMW estimates one water fill up for 5 tanks of gas with street use and a water fill-up with every tank of gas with track use. Sport Auto almost emptied the water tank after only 2 laps of the 'ring. Checking the water level through maintenance will just not cut it .

[Dog Face Pony Soldier]

How large is the tank going to be? What happens when the vehicle is parked outside and the temperature is well below freezing?

[infamousdiz]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

How large is the tank going to be? What happens when the vehicle is parked outside and the temperature is well below freezing?

the car runs just fine with out water injection just makes less power. no big deal if the tank is empty

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Perhaps walnut blasting may become a thing of the past.

I haven't seen issues with carbon build up since the N54. I'm confused.

[M4_GTS]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

IIRC from the GTS literature, BMW estimates one water fill up for 5 tanks of gas with street use and a water fill-up with every tank of gas with track use. Sport Auto almost emptied the water tank after only 2 laps of the 'ring. Checking the water level through maintenance will just not cut it .

When water runs low. There will be a warning on the dash.

[Blubaron79]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

How large is the tank going to be? What happens when the vehicle is parked outside and the temperature is well below freezing?

It automatically empties so it doesn't freeze.

[M4_GTS]

Originally Posted by glennQNYC

How large is the tank going to be? What happens when the vehicle is parked outside and the temperature is well below freezing?

When the temperature is near freezing. The water injection system is automatically disabled by the car. Also each time the car shuts off, water in the pipes gets pumped back to the tank. They did winter testing to make sure the water freezing will not burst any plumbing. They also had the water tank filled with water and put it into a freezer to make sure it can expend without cracking.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by M4_GTS

When water runs low. There will be a warning on the dash.

[Deutsches Blut]

Originally Posted by Blubaron79

I haven't seen issues with carbon build up since the N54. I'm confused.

That is what my SA told me. No issues after N54

[Killramos]

As a Canadian, my primary concern is how they are going to handle having a tank of water inside the car in the winter...

if you could mix a bit of meth or ethanol in it would probably be OK though.

If they do straight disable near freezing, well that would suck. I know a lot of people who dd M cars through freezing winters. I know i run mine all year long, even did an ice track last year and it would be pretty dumb if the car was power retarded 6 months of the year.

[Nightmare1708]

So theoretically you can fill the tank with water-meth and get all the benefits of a water-meth.

[raysspl]

Very good to hear. Took awhile since water injection isn't new, but this is in the right step of prolonging I.C.E.

[BIMMER_Tech 631]

Originally Posted by Deutsches Blut

That is what my SA told me. No issues after N54

That's a BS lie.

The carbon buildup started at the n54 and continues through all of the newer models. BMW has yet to introduce dual port injection to any of their models, and considering almost every car in their lineup now has forced induction (turbo power) coupled with direct injection, carbon buildup is far from being a thing of the past. I personally have seen it on N55 models, as well as N20 engines. IMO this would be just another expense added to cars that do not need it. A GTS model is understandable considering every bit of HP counts but to a car that is used as a daily driver, kind of pointless, the fuel economy line is a selling point more than the truth.

[MilehighM3]

Originally Posted by F32Fleet

Perhaps walnut blasting may become a thing of the past.

It already has without the use of any form of upstream injection, including water or port fuel injection.