Top Speed? - anyone...

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Nelson330ci

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I have a stock 2001 330ci, only had it a few weeks and have not had a chance to go above 105mph.

I would like some imput from those speed demons out there - how fast can it go safely stock and how does it feel??

As a side note, what perfromance mods would be best to do first - trying to keep it semi stock. What products are best..dinan cat back? Chip?

Thanks.
 
Section_8

Section_8

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You'll bounce off your limiter at 145mph in a 330 I believe. It's as safe as the tires you're riding on, the car itself (body, suspension, etc etc) is more than happy to cruise at 140+.

I've been to 115 in mine, and it felt like butta.. Was enough for me (given the conditions at the time).

Performance mods, that's your call. We could all write pages of advice there, but you should decide especially since you are under warranty(guessing so with a '01??) - just what you want to do. Easy stuff like software/intake/exhaust are easy and pretty safe (and easily removeable when you need to take it to the shop - except the exhaust).

On a very side note, my Dad used to live in Walnut Creek about 20 years ago, I visited him once out there. Was pretty nice, town was 80,000 at the time I believe, where are you guys at now?

Is the Great American Amusement park still open near there? (to the east somewhere is all I remember).
 
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Nelson330ci

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I ridding on Michilen Pilot Sports - 35% tread left I'd say.

Yea I'm still under warranty for another 20K miles or 1 year. As far as mods are concerned I do want to take it easy and keep it simple - not looking to supercharge or anything fancy - poss throtle body would be biggest change after poss chip, intake, etc..

Section_8 - Re side note: Yea I live in the creek - about 1.5 miles from downtown. I'm close to the next town over (west) called Lafayette. Population of WC is about 65K - I doubt it has ever been 80K. 20 years ago there were acctually Walnut farms/trees all around (hence the name). Great America is in San Jose or a small suburb of - ~45/50 mins south.
 
ger3sf

ger3sf

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130mph

An indicated 130 mph...the 330CiC felt solid like it was on rails...no vibration, wandering or drama. Top stayed on, too. Couldn't help thinking "if I had H-rated tires, they would start shredding about now".

This happened a couple of weeks ago on the autobahns around Munich during my ED trip. Their highways are smooth as glass, and drivers are disciplined (stay on right except to pass, watch for other cars, no cutting people off, etc).
 
Blue

Blue

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Had my 2001 325i up to 135 on the speedo, no limiter kick-in even at that indicated speed. Have yet to confirm speed with GPS. Just as smooth as 35 mph.
 
Section_8

Section_8

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Nelson330ci said:
Section_8 - Re side note: Yea I live in the creek - about 1.5 miles from downtown. I'm close to the next town over (west) called Lafayette. Population of WC is about 65K - I doubt it has ever been 80K. 20 years ago there were acctually Walnut farms/trees all around (hence the name). Great America is in San Jose or a small suburb of - ~45/50 mins south.
Click to expand...
That shows ya what 20 years does to the old noggin.. [screwy]

Don't remember farms, I remember playing some mini-putt though. (I think!) [scratch]
 
Bmw 325i 7803

Bmw 325i 7803

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I don't think the limiter exists at 128... I had my 325i up to 134 or 135 (took my eyes off the speedo for the fastest curve I ever took in my life). I heard from someone on here the 325i maxes out at 135. I think the 330i could probably pull 140 then, it felt pretty stable but there was a tremendous amount of wind noise, the car also seemed to shake slighlty (right to left).
 
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Nelson330ci

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I drove to from SF to LA over the weekend - managed to go ~115 - too much traffic & cop paranoya to travel much faster.

Car felt good, bit more wind noise than I had hoped for, but nice.

Semi raced with an A4, Acura RSX S type all following/passing back and forth one another through/down the Grapevine on the I-5 taveling between 85-115mph (nice speed range:). No one won or lost really, although I guess the A4 might have won since he decided to crank ahead of us driving like an idiot (neither of us wanted to even bother) Type S & I were trying to drive fast but smart. It was really fun driving, more like fast follow the leader, then let the other follow, etc... I was surprised by the Type S - I think it s a close match for straigt line driving between the 330ci and it. No contest in car quality of course.
 
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04_Euro_Delivery

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ger3sf said:
An indicated 130 mph...the 330CiC felt solid like it was on rails...no vibration, wandering or drama. Top stayed on, too. Couldn't help thinking "if I had H-rated tires, they would start shredding about now".
Click to expand...
What "rated" tires come stock with the car? I have the Continentals...well the car does... I should have it any day now!!
 
Wadula

Wadula

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bmw limits the cars at 250 kph which is around 155 mph. it is a common understanding and agreement that cars from bmw mercedes and audi, which are not AMG or M or S !!!!, are limited there. however, i don´t know if the US versions are goverened earlier. but basically your 330 will make 250 kph!
 
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Nelson330ci

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According to many sources, R/T, etc. the 330 is limited electronically at 128MPH. Some here have said they have went above that declared limit?

Of course a simple chip upgrade takes that limit right on off. Despite your personal experience, this is just what I've been reading. Let me know if you read differerent.

I think the non M - 3 series would get a little hairy above 140mph....
 
Fabp_330Ci

Fabp_330Ci

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Nelson330ci said:
According to many sources, R/T, etc. the 330 is limited electronically at 128MPH. Some here have said they have went above that declared limit?

Of course a simple chip upgrade takes that limit right on off. Despite your personal experience, this is just what I've been reading. Let me know if you read differerent.

I think the non M - 3 series would get a little hairy above 140mph....
Click to expand...

I agree, it even says on BMW's website that the standard 3 series is electronically limited to 128 mph and the ZHP is limited to 155 mph. Sorry guys, unless you have a chip in your car to remove the governor, there's no way you're gonna exceed 128 mph. (US models)

Here's the link to the tech data:

http://www.bmwusa.com/vehicles/3/330cicoupe/techdata.htm

And here's the link to a pdf file that goes into more detail:
http://www.bmwusa.com/NR/rdonlyres/ACCCD19A-3B20-4DF3-9518-694AE71AC3C3/0/2004_3series_coupe.pdf
 
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