High Revs??!!

X

xi guy

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Hey Group....

Im enjoying the hell out of my 2004 325 xi (premium, sport). Its my first BMW so it's really
a treat for me. One thing, for a six cylinder, the car seems to have higher revs that what I'm used to. FOr instance, I have a stick, and at 80 MPH, Im revving about 3500 RPM. This seems a bit high for a highway speed.

Im sure this is due to teh fact that BMW's seems to be agressively geared. Thats how they get so much punch out of a car with not alot of horsepower. But I wanted to run it by you guys for verification. This type of RPM is what you guys are experiencing???

Thanks in advance..Happy Holidays to all.
 
T

torpedo

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80 miles = 128.7 km. I don't usually go that fast on highways except when passing. But if I am travelling 110 - 120, (70 miles), my RPM is just below or above 3000.
 
X

xi guy

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No, I dont think so. 5th gear at 80 MPH is just about 3500 RPM. Maybe your slightly
bigger (3.0L) motor generates slightly lower revs.
 
brahtw8

brahtw8

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What did you drive previously?

My guess is something with a lower powerband. Your 325i likes to be between 4000 and 6200 RPM.

The gear ratio, final drive ratio and power of the engine are of course what lead to the RPM at any given speed and gear (setting aside other minor and more complicated considerations like tires, aerodynamics, etc.)

The beauty of the M50 engine is that it gets decent MPG at higher RPMs. I get about 26 MPG overall in my '94 325i, and that is often highway miles at 3300 RPM or above.
 
X

xi guy

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Thanks Brahtw8...so youre telling me that 3500 RPM at 80 MPH is just as normal as can be?
Yes, I get the sense driving the car that it loathes to be below 3500 RPM regardless of speed. Please confirm the rev is ok. Thanks!
 
brahtw8

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3500 RPM at 80 MPH is just fine.

If you want to convince yourself, you could do some math once you have the individual gear ratios and the final drive ratio.
 
X

xi guy

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Brahtw8,

Thanks so much. I feel better now. The gearing on the car is so amazing. It pulls even in fifth at highway speeds. Remarkable.
 
X

xi guy

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Push, Thanks for the input. Im too old to be saying this but you sister is gorgeous.
Prepare yourself to beat up alot of ill-wishing young boys. Good luck.

Priviot!
 
MrElussive

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xi guy, your rpm's are perfectly normal. This is because your car (and all other manual transmission vehicles) is a short-ratio gearbox. Many manual transmission cars now give you that 6th gear for better fuel economy on the highway, but it's perfectly normal for you to be at 3,500rpm @ 80mph. My Jetta 2.0 was a 5-speed and the gears were VERY short. I was at almost 4,000rpm @ 80mph. Also, running at 3,500 rpm is not a problem for the car...it is designed for high revs and the BMW I6 motors are super duper smooth, no matter what rpm.
 
dzervit

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brahtw8 said:
Try shifting out of 2nd gear when you get on the highway. [:D]
Click to expand...
I've got to learn not to read posts while at work... I'm in my office about to fall off my chair! [rofl]

Push - 17mpg is what I get out of my Expedition with a 4.6L V8!
 
brahtw8

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PuShAkOv said:
My bad... just checked it right now and it reads 17.9 MPG [thumb]

My 330CiC is auto. I usually drive it in sport. Ever saw a 330CiC beat M3? [fake]
Click to expand...
I know you have an auto, which makes it a 330CicA. (Of course, you don't see the last c or the a on the rear, AFAIK). That autostick can be left in 2nd.

Reminds me of a lady who blew out the engine on her 2nd Gen. Acura TL (1999-2003) after only 30k miles. The entire bottom end was in shambles.

After the car was fixed, the service manager took her out for a drive. She was amazed at how quiet the car was when he drove it, and described how when she drove it the car was very loud and hard to drive. Turns out she had been putting the car into manual shift mode and leaving it in 1st gear, which the computer program allowed to shift to 2nd at higher speeds. She was driving this car on the highway at redline in 2nd. I think it speaks rather well of Honda that the car lasted that long, having survived 30k miles of being driven constantly (or frequently) at redline for long periods.

Needless to say, don't do that at home. And don't pick on those M3s. [burnout]
 
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