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      06-20-2014, 07:19 AM   #1
the1andonly
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Thoughts on redline/hitting rev limiter

I wanted to get your guys thoughts on redline/hitting rev limiter. When my car is very warmed up Ill wind it out to 5000-6000k rpm once in awhile. Yesterday I was in 1st gear and floored it, for some reason it jumped up on me quicker than normal and before i knew it I was in the red, the traction control light blinked temportarly on the dash and the engine cut fuel for a second. Most of my friends said it ok, these cars are designed to be driven hard. But I can't help but think it wasn't a great think to do since I plan to keep my car for a long while. Thoughts?
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      06-20-2014, 07:31 AM   #2
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While I would not make it a habit to take the car to the cutoff, the car responds to protect itself by cutting the fuel etc. I would say it's alright.
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      06-20-2014, 07:41 AM   #3
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I have never hit the rev limiter but I have would my 135 out to 6-7k once in a while.
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      06-20-2014, 07:48 AM   #4
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The last time I autocrossed my e88, I made several runs where I just left it in second gear for most of the run. I was being a bit lazy and I've had trouble with the 3 to 2 downshift while driving hard. I was on the rev limiter in several spots hard. The car didn't seem to care. The cooling fan didn't come on, no signs it thought it had been abused.

Normal driving, however, I rarely go over 3,500 rpm. Occasionally I nail it and let the engine run a bit and shift around 5,000.

When the engine is warmed up and thus well lubricated, I don't think you hurt it by running to redline and even hitting the limiter. I think the wear on the engine is higher, however, and if you do it a lot there could be consequences. But I will be surprised if my very occasional bumping of it does anything.
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      06-20-2014, 07:55 AM   #5
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The purpose of the rev limiter is to limit you before damage occurs.

I wouldn't sit there bouncing it off the limiter for minutes at a time, but its fine.
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      06-20-2014, 08:55 AM   #6
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It's a four stroke, and a very good one at that. It's meant to be driven and driven hard once up to temperature.

Just don't live at 7K RPMS and you will be absolutely fine.
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      06-20-2014, 12:24 PM   #7
ejm3
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Jim big difference between the 128 and 135.
In my 135 the good power all lives above 3500 rpms!
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      06-20-2014, 12:42 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ejm3 View Post
Jim big difference between the 128 and 135.
In my 135 the good power all lives above 3500 rpms!
I think the need to go up in rpm to get power is even more apparent in the 128. I drove a 135 at performance center delivery and the torque down low was nice. But I can keep up with traffic without going over 3500 rpm most of the time. Most of my driving is back and forth to work without much chance to have fun. For that mundane travel, I don't really get a chance to use the power of even the 128. More often, I get a chance to go around a turn a little quick and open up a gap on the car behind me.

I know I'm in the power band when I have to hurry up and shift. When I stay above 3500 rpm I've got the pedal down and the shifts come pretty quick. It's a good thing!
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      06-20-2014, 12:43 PM   #9
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You will be fine, like others said just don't make it a regular occurrence.
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      06-20-2014, 02:50 PM   #10
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No damage, that's why the fuel shuts off, but not a good thing either. Powerwise the N54/55 don't have much left after about 6200RPM so there is no value in going to the redline
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      06-20-2014, 03:02 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by darkrom View Post
The purpose of the rev limiter is to limit you before damage occurs.

I wouldn't sit there bouncing it off the limiter for minutes at a time, but its fine.
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      06-20-2014, 03:20 PM   #12
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Lol, I'm always bouncing mine to the limit but I have a DCT. I love that feeling of slamming from gear to gear at 7k rpms!
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      06-20-2014, 03:20 PM   #13
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Stock, power drops at ~6800-6900 in the N52:





That being said, I wring out my 128i every single drive. There is absolutely nothing wrong in doing so. If I wanted a car designed for toodling around at low RPMs I would have purchased a 'Vette. We have lightweight internals, the most naturally balanced engine design, 80+ years of BMW NA I6 development, and a history of rev friendly cars on our side. You won't hurt it(assuming warmed up). "Power shifting" is idiotic and damaging though.


Fun fact, the cluster on a BMW tells you what is ok and what is not. Anything below the red area is ok to travel in. Anything below the tight dashes near the top is an RPM you can sustain for long periods of time without harm to the engine. So yes, you could sit at 6k rpms in 4th for hours without hurting the car. Autobahn features are always nice.


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      06-20-2014, 03:49 PM   #14
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Well, I technically don't bounce (because fuel cut) but I have basically floated the RPM tac at redline multiple times at autocross.
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      06-20-2014, 03:56 PM   #15
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I like to gun it in second (who doesn't), and even when I think I'm going to bounce off the limiter, I don't. Like everyone else said, it's okay, but with frequent hard driving comes increased maintenence, there's no way around it
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      06-21-2014, 01:33 PM   #16
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This car was built to be taken to 5000-6000 rpms without damage, as long as oil is heated. Driving it everyday to 3500 max would be like not letting a thoroughbred horse do any thing more than a gallop.

Last edited by pick333; 06-21-2014 at 01:36 PM.. Reason: would not frequently go to 7000 rpms
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      06-21-2014, 02:12 PM   #17
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I bounce off the rev limiter all the time....in rental cars
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      06-22-2014, 05:13 PM   #18
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My cars see red line every day usually multiple times a day. My last daily had 187,000 miles and was still strong and rarely burnt oil. Personal thought is babying any modern engine is more detrimental then running them hard.
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      06-22-2014, 05:17 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pick333
This car was built to be taken to 5000-6000 rpms without damage, as long as oil is heated. Driving it everyday to 3500 max would be like not letting a thoroughbred horse do any thing more than a gallop.
This will also lead to carbon buildup, fuel and oil issues! My 128i internals were already gumming and sludge was forming. Now within 4,000 miles lots of hard use and two oil changes to clear out the pervious owners neglect; all nice and clean!
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      06-22-2014, 10:28 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Killer-Bimmer View Post
My 128i internals were already gumming and sludge was forming.
Ehhh???
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      06-23-2014, 11:34 AM   #21
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These cars have a lot of safety features that it will cut off power if you are about to harm the engine.
You should be fine driving it hard and hitting the rev limiter every once in a while.
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      06-23-2014, 11:43 AM   #22
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My 128i gets driven to the limit on a daily basis. Most of my ride to work is highway mileage (in traffic), but there are a few turns on the way where I sweep through at 5-7k rpms. I also utilize engine braking (steptronic) when driving aggressively.

Call me crazy, but I believe you need to beat on your car every once in a while to keep it on its feet! Also, why else buy a car with the power and agility of a BMW? Might as well save a ton of money and buy an econobox.
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