BakedWafer

Me and a good friend of mine got in this discussion about what the best V6 ever is. He says Nissan makes the best V6 ever, regardless of price. I think it is the Mercedes Benz SOCH V6. What do you guys think, some info also would be cool.

vandy786

I haven't had the TL-S long enough to comment on whether it has the best engine because it only has 10,000 miles. But I can say that our Mercury Villager (with a V6 Nissan Maxima engine) has over 150,000 and it is as quiet and smooth as THE DAY WE BOUGHT IT! Definitely a superb engine in my opinion.

SpoonPower78

Don't know about "V" but if you meant 6-cylinder engines... I-6 with double vanos in current M3.

samkws

well....the best engine ever...i would give a nod to the mighty GM 3.8 liter V6....defintely the best ever...it has been here for 40 years (1962) and it's still a decent engine after all...

200000 miles trouble free...tons of torque

others...the creamy smooth ES300 V6
Nissan VQ6
BENZ 3.2 V6

NSX DOHC V6

y2ks2k

The nsX's V6 has been winning engineering awards for its design since it was released. These awards come from not only automotive sources but magazines like popular mechanics… etc…Not only is it considered on of the best made ever but it has proven itself to also be the most reliable made yet it puts out more hp/liter then any other normally aspirated V6 made.

BakedWafer

Could you point me to some articles?

Wampum

The GM 3800 was definately a sweet creation.

I think the Nissan RB26DETT was the best though. For those not familiar it is the engine that comes in the Skyline

SilverBulletCLS

The Nissan VQ30DE or VQ35DE, is the best V6 ever. It has the most technology in it than any V6, and its the quietest V6 I have ever owned or driven.

SilverBulletCLS

Villeger has the VG30E in it, it was from the 89-94 Maxima years. The VQ is the newer design of the VE that was after the VG.

EZZ

The Nissan VQ is great. However, I think the 3.2L on the TLS has more technology than the VQ (especially the VQ30DE). The VQ just recently got variable valve timing but hasn't the JA always had it?

samkws

u forgot the NSX in the early 90s:wow:

TL

I have a GM 3300 V6 with 195000km's...and still running strong
I'm sure it had been abused too cos the car had been stolen before!

Ruski

Nissan VQ made it on the WARD's 10 best engines many years in a row.

And GM 3800 V6 was also there for a couple of years. I personally like the 3800 Series II alot, especially with a supercharger as in Pontiac Grand Prix GTP - 240HP and 280 lbs*ft torque.


Here is a link to 2002 Ward's best engines:
http://www.primedia.com/html2/news/p...lease_125.html

or

http://industryclick.com/microsites/...1004&siteid=26

Ruski

Here is a better WARD's link

fla-tls

WOW - Nissan's VQ is in there from '95 to '01 without interruption!

BigPimping

NISSAN VQ6 has no competition

c32bvtec

if u are talking about 6 cylinder, that include V6 and I6..than i think BMW's I6 engine for 3 series is the best...without any turbo or supercharger it produce 320HP for E36 model M3 (which is not avaliable on in usa,as usa model E36 M3 only has 240HP) and 333 HP for E46 M3..
2. supra I6 TT engines are also good ones...
3. NSX c32bvtec is a world famous engine too...90 degree V6 engine produce 280 HP and 290HP..
and i have heard that I6 engines are more durable than V6 engines...
those are just my opinions..

BigPimping

Don't hate guy

You will never ever here anyone that has a nissan with the V6 engine complain about it.

Not only is it the most reliable V6 engine.

It is also the most technologically advanced.

Oh yeah that engine can also pump out 275+ hp easily.
Examples are the G35 coupe and Nissan 350Z.

Alot of jealous haters will complain that nissan shares parts such as the VQ engine.

But if you have one of the best engines ever, why wouldn't you.

Nissan VQ engine is the ONLY engine that is rated the best engine 8 years in a row.

Best Engines History

Check out the engines that have graced our lists of the past seven years...
Manufacturer Engine Model 95 96 97 98 99 00 01
Audi AG AG 2.7L Twin-turbo DOHC V-6 A6 2.7T - - - - - 00 01
Audi AG 1.8L DOHC turbocharged I-4 A4 1.8T - - 97 - - - 01
BMW AG 3.2L DOHC I-6 M Coupe - - 97 98 - 00 -
BMW AG S50USB32 (30) 3.2L I-6 M3 95 96 - - 99 - -
BMW AG M52B28 2.8L I-6 328i - - - - 99 - -
BMW AG 2.5L DOHC I-6 323is - - - 98 - - -
BMW AG 4.4L DOHC 90 degree V-8 540i - - 97 - - - -
BMW AG M60B40 4L V-8 540i 95 96 - - - - -
BMW AG 3L DOHC I-6 530i - - - - - - 01
DaimlerChrysler AG 3.2L SOHC V-6 Mercedes E320 - - - 98 99 00 01
DaimlerChrysler AG Jeep 4.7L SOHC V-8 Jeep Grand Cherokee - - - - 99 - -
Ford Motor Co. 5.4L Triton SOHC V-8 / 5.4L Supercharged F-Series SVT Lightning - - 97 98 99 00 01
Ford Motor Co. 3.9L DOHC V-8 Lincoln LS - - - - - 00 -
Ford Motor Co. SVT 2.5L High Output DOHC V-6 Contour SVT - - - 98 99 - -
Ford Motor Co. 4.6L DOHC 90-degree V-8 Mustang Cobra - 96 97 - - - -
Ford Motor Co. 2.5L DOHC V-6 (Duratec) Contour, Mystique 95 - - - - - -
General Motors Corp. 3.5L Twin Cam V-6 Olds Aurora - - - - 99 00 -
General Motors Corp. LS1 5.7L V-8 Chevrolet Corvette - - - 98 99 - -
General Motors Corp. 3.8L supercharged 90-degree OHV V-6 Buick Park Avenue Ultra 95 96 97 - - - -
General Motors Corp. 4.6L DOHC 90-degree V-8 (Northstar) Cadillac STS - - 97 - - - -
General Motors Corp. L37 Northstar 4.6L V-8 Seville STS 95 96 - - - - -
General Motors Corp. 6.6L DOHC V-8 Silverado/Sierra HD - - - - - - 01
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. 2L DOHC I-4 S2000 - - - - - 00 01
Honda Motor Co. Ltd. H22A1 2.2L VTEC I-4 Prelude VTEC 95 96 - - - - -
Mazda Motor Corp. 2.3L Miller-cycle DOHC V-6 Millenia S 95 96 97 98 - - -
Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. "VQ" 3L DOHC V-6 Maxima 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02
Porsche AG 3.2L DOHC H-6 Boxster S - - - - - 00 -
Porsche AG 2.7L DOHC H-6 Boxster - - - - - - 01
Saab Automobile AB 2.3L LPT I-4 9000 CS 95 96 - - - - -
Toyota Motor Corp. 4L DOHC V-8 Lexus GS400 - - - 98 99 00 -
Toyota Motor Corp. 1MZ-FE 3L V-6 Avalon - 96 - - - - -
Toyota Motor Corp. 1.5L DOHC I-4 hybrid Prius - - - - - - 01
Volkswagen AG 1.8L DOHC turbocharged I-4 Passat - - - 98 - - -
Volkswagen AG Direct-injection 1.9L turbodiesel I-4 Passat TDI - - 97 - - - -
Volkswagen AG 2.8L VR6 15-degree SOHC V-6 Passat 95 - - - - - -

RAdams

Not trying to hate, but where did you get the information that the VQ is the "most reliable V6 engine" and that it's the "most technologically advanced"?

Looking forward to an intelligent reply, but not holding my breath.

PeterUbers

iTrader: (1)

Ha! As would I like to know as well!

How can you even statistically validate a score such as "best reliability..." Do the mechanics who work on the car report the figures or the people who deal who own the cars? Reliability is a very subjective term to some .. my TL-S has a dead transmission, but when the tranny worked, I still considered it very very reliable.

accordv6

I'm gonna have to put a vote in for the NSX......are we talking NA v6 here? I prefer an I6, such as porsche, that is probably the best in my opinion.

EZZ

Tell me, what would you know about the VQ? I personally know what a VQ can do...I've driven one for about 5 years. But even I admit that there are other great engines out there. You did know that the NSX V6 never qualified for wards because it was over $50,000 didn't you.

BTW, the new engines are ALL RELIABLE (well maybe not the M3). Other components (such as tranny ) break before the engine ever will.

samkws

that's rite...wards only list those cars under 50000...which excludes 911 and NSX....

so...it can't base on the ward's for judgement...since lots of gd V6s are being left out...

but VQ6 will still be one of the 10 best even they include cars over 50000

samkws

BMW engines has more awards with its I6 than VQ6...

it has 12 in 8 yrs

vandy786

Nobody is saying that Nissan does not make good engines. But as far as cars, well... :yack:

doug_RENAMED

first of all.. doesn't this thread say best v6 ever?

why are people bring up I6's? is it when you don't like the winner of an argument you try to change the main focus?

the point of hte matter is.. the VQ engine is the best v6 ever made.. thats a bold statement made from Wards Auto World.

you guys can say which you "think" is the best v6 engine and then you can accept what is..

the fact is. the VQ engine was never designed for a family sedan.. it was a engine that was suppose to be for the next generation Z Car in 1995 and was going to be used in Nissan Racing Series.. but in 1995 Nissan Corp ran into trouble as most everyone knows and the engine and its design was alreayd here.. so they threw it in their flagship "the maxima"

you never know the power of a VQ engine untill you have driven a vechile with one.. so until then.. please don't hate.

pianoman41

As much as I love my 3.2 VTEC, the 3.0 VQ in my '97 Maxima SE is amazing. That fokker is bulletproof....

samkws

it's one very powerful and it screams like hell!!!

but too bad it wasn't into any rear drive until the new skyline (g35)

RAdams

I think bringing up I6's was merely due to confusion. Most people assume 6-cylinder always means V6.

Is the "Best V6 Ever" award is actually awarded by Ward's, or do we just extrapolate that because it's the only V6 on the list or what? In either case, and please take this for what it's worth, it's the opinion of one publication. The same publication that listed the engine of the Prius as "one of the best"

Regardless of what the VQ was designed for -- what makes it the best? I'm not here to say thew J32 is the best, or even better than the VQ... but what exactly makes the VQ the BEST, given that BEST is a totally subjective measurement?

Does it make the most power? Does it last the longest? What?

I've driven 3 Maximas and a non-turbo Z. While I remember them being very smooth, they were wholly ordinary -- pretty much no frills. Is that what you mean by BEST? I'm unclear here.

(Also, if what has been said before about the $50,000 cap is true -- then this entire "study" is pretty much moot. I'm not sure if this is the case, however, as I am not too familiar with Ward's).

doug_RENAMED

to be honest with you my friend.. i can only tell you the bias opinions of myself of what makes the VQ great.. and that is not going to hold water..

I first owned a 89 Accord 5spd.. the only reason i bought a maxima was because it was the cheapest car on the lot at hte used car dealership at the time... being a honda owner i always hated the maxima, always spoke bad about it, but hte car was cheap and i needed a car quick.. i knew nothing of the engine or it size nothing.. i was meerly bias..

when i first got on the highway, and i blip the throttle.. the car took off.. it was amazing.. this was my 1995 5spd Maxima (rated by many magazines at 0 - 60 in 6.6 seconds.. i believe for a sedan that was great in 1995) i was very amazed with this car.. so much that i bought a 1997 1 year later, due to it being safter than the 1995.. not as fast.. however much safer with upgrades given to the car in 1997..

The engine is great.. phenomenal.. but like i said these are bias opinions by myself.. when i bought my 95 max.. 1 other family member had one.. now their are 8 in my family.. because i tell people.. go drive it.. just drive it and see.. the car sells it self.. the performance is outstanding for a sedan in that price range.. and because of the sh!tty resale value you can pick up a used one cheap..

so all i can offer you is information that Wards auto world has given the engine over the years.. i have nothing more solid to offer.. aside from my love for this engine and how highly i can speak of it.

I challenge most of you who know nothing abou tthis engine.. not even if you are interested in buying one.. but go to the dealership near you and drive a manual maxima.. and just notice how great the engine feels .. or maybe not.. who knows..

this engine is amazing.. it even holds 10 PSI supercharged and 40 shot of NOS on stock internals.. and keeps ticking.. from Matt in LA .. and many others.. i can speak nothing but good of this engine..

sorry thats just my bias opinion

RAdams

Personal bis is part of naming something the "best", that's why I generally don't put too much stock in magazine comparos, etc. I'm glad to hear you're happy with your car, though.. it's nice to have one less thing to worry about.

Nissan should be sending you a check for selling all those Maximas to family members!

BigPimping

People that doesn't believe in car magazines are people that own cars that are not rated high.

Nuff said.

BigPimping

What are you talking about.

12 awards in 8 years, damn your math is really bad my man.

Oh yeah just in case you didn't know we are talking about any one engine.

If you take all the engines from honda and toyota you will get more than 10. Whooop dee doo.

No bmw engine has won the best engine award more than 3 times.

BigPimping

And acura should be sending you a check for the great marketing.

Nothing is better than the acura right.

T Ho

I'll go with the GM 3.8l V6. I have a couple of friends with Grand Nationals. Both are chipped (and other stuff) to up the boost, one at 20psi, the other at 30! Both have over 100,000 miles, have been modded to this level for years, and neither have been into the engine. Countless passes at the strip (100's literally, on the 30psi car), as well as fending off numerous challenges from the requisite Mustangs, Camaros, Supras, RX-7s, super-rice-mobiles, etc, etc.

I'll take the Supra I6 as a second choice. They also seem indestructible.

Outside of that, nearly all of the 6's from Japan perform well, so there really isn't a bad choice. I'm 100% certain, over the long term, that Acura's 6's will prove as reliable as the rest of the Honda line.

doug_RENAMED

I wish man my max could use that extra cash

Mr Hyde

BigPimping whats your problem????

Are all of your threads on this board going to be inflammatory??? Its funny you complained and reported a post while yours are no better. The other mods and I know better, and your post in OT praising the Mods wont sway that; Knock it off. If you cant discuss things without being a %$^, then dont post.

That being said, the VQ is definitely one sweet engine, very smooth, and quiet. There are no less than 3 in my extended family, and I used to own a Max. Give props were they are due, the VQ being a great engine takes nothing away from our cars.
A 3.2L SOHC producing 260hp and 232lb-ft is not shabby by any means, but it is a little louder, and wont be as smooth in NVH or power delivery as a DOHC.

Mr Hyde

I directly and indirectly was responsible for 4 TL-S sales through my dealer, where'd my check go??

Davidas

TRUE!! The 3800 GM V6 engine is really a sweet engine. Tons of torque, extremely smooth at low-end RPM, very economic for a 3.8 liter engine, and existed since the 80s and still there.

I owned a Park Avenue before.

samkws

the 3.8L went out in 1962...this is the 41st yr for it!!

long living proves everything!!


i still missed my 96 buick regal...with 3.8 liter series II
205hp...it was the most hp and torque offered in the same class at that time...