I've always thought that the in-line six-cylinder engine was the most inheriently balanced engine configuration for a 4 cycle engine. Here are a few comments on same subject: The benchmark in diesel motoring: BMW's three-litre straight-six. BMW's straight-six features the most advanced technologies, such as common rail direct fuel injection, a turbocharger with variable geometry and four-valve technology. The combination of common rail fuel injection and the classic straight-six engine configuration provides ideal conditions for a genuine high-comfort diesel, the rapid charge cycle ensured by the high-tech turbocharger as well as four-valve technology offering the additional advantage of an excellent engine response: While conventional diesel engines are usually a bit sluggish in their response to the accelerator pedal, as opposed to a petrol engine, BMW's straight-six diesel builds up torque spon-taneously with virtually no delay. So it is no surprise that this six-cylinder is already featured in all three of BMW's saloon series - the 3, 5 and 7 Series - and is acknowledged in each case as the absolute benchmark in the market. <http://www.germancarfans.com/print.cfm/ID/2040718.001/lang/eng> Brian Eiland beiland@usa.net www.RunningTideYachts.com distinctive expedition yachts