why do you need to know so bad?
I just want to know how strong this engine is stock and know more about the car. I thought it to be a reliable car when I bought it but now after reading horror stories here I'm about to trade it for a GTI... or waiting till the new GTI comes out in OCT.
I have no real issues with it so far, just a creeky windshield on rough roads. less than 1k on the clock.
reading stories about how the engine and tranny shake around etc... its unnerving to say the least!
I dont even want to mod the car. I just want a reliable stock car that can go 80-110 or so on the highway. Mileage is also important. I dont really care for the look of the 4 door GTI and I would hate to loose my back doors on the MS3. Really this car is just about perfect for me. Its a little loud though. I'm also scared of the GTIs long term reliability.
As to STi's. I had a 2005 that I loved to death. Put a ton of miles on it and had no issues. Just had a intake and hks exaust for mods. They eat gas but tons of fun.
I dont even want to mod the car. I just want a reliable stock car that can go 80-110 or so on the highway. Mileage is also important. I dont really care for the look of the 4 door GTI and I would hate to loose my back doors on the MS3. Really this car is just about perfect for me. Its a little loud though. I'm also scared of the GTIs long term reliability.
As to STi's. I had a 2005 that I loved to death. Put a ton of miles on it and had no issues. Just had a intake and hks exaust for mods. They eat gas but tons of fun.
One of the main reasons my MS6 is getting traded for an STI, that and I want easy cheap HP. After having my speed 6 for 2 years I started to hate so many things about it...more than I liked. AND YES I KNOW that STI's have problems too.
I'm on the forum thinking about trading my 08 GTI in for an MS3, and owned 3 WRX prior to that.............
I love knowing about the technical specifications and design considerations that went into our cars and of any car I own. It's just something I enjoy because my mind works that way.
As to whether we have sodium-filled hollow stem valves or Inconel solid stem valves is, to me, sort of like saying do you prefer filet mignon or prime rib. Both are excellent choices.
Given the relatively low rpm power band of our cars (even though the redline is up close to 7000 rpm), the danger of valve float from Inconel and its increased weight and reciprocating mass, v. its high heat advantage is probably an interesting academic debate with very little real world application.
Mazda's 3 series cars enjoy an excellent reliability reputation, far better than the VW GTI or the EVO or STI. The size of the rear seating area and the hatchback design and area are big plusses to me.
I have a Nissan Armada SUV for big stuff including hauling. The other day, I was doing some tuning work on my daughter's 22 inch self-propelled Craftsman mower. I moved it to my house in the SUV, but found that I could take it back to her house in the truck (rear seats still in up position) of the MS3, which I thought was really great.
To me, these are quick, reliable and versatile cars that are relatively easy to make as much quicker and faster as I have any use for.
Just my opinion. I'll keep studying and enjoying the technical side of what makes our little hot hatchback tick. It's fun.
Wow, I didn't know how low tech and obsolete those twin turbo 420 horsepower new Audi R8's are to be still using those terrible sodium-filled valves. What were the folks at Audi thinking?
http://www.audiusa.com/audi/us/en2/...&modelLeft=42351t_0&carlineRight=&modelRight=
Maybe with better exhaust valves those cars might get what, 1000 hp?
But to answer the OP's question, I don't know if we have sodium-filled valves or not. Given the performance level of the Audi, I hope so.
And the R8 ain't TT'd. It's the same engine as in the RS4... a N/A 4.2L v8.
They probably use sodium valves, as with the Z06, because of the high reving and high power capability of the r8's motor.
My bad on calling it a TT. I must have been thinking of the even more powerful new twin turbo RS6. It's 580 hp and, yes, it has sodium-filled valves.
http://www.topspeed.com/cars/audi/2009-audi-rs6-ar62348.html
I agree, that like the Z06 these engines turn close to 9,000 rpm and need very light valves and low reciprocating mass, so hollow sodium valves make sense for them.
They are not a band-aid. They are proven technology that works and that are currently employed by numerous high-end sports/performance cars.