Driving this car...

GreatDane · 07-03-2009, 09:34 PM

Hey guys -

My father surprised me with a new 135i as a graduation present, and I absolutely love it!

The truth is, though, that I've always had SUVs and I really don't know how I should be driving a performance oriented car. I've seen on the internet that it is really fast, but so far I've kept it in regular mode (its auto) and kept it under 3000 rpms, as I've always been told gunning the engine a lot damages it. Its pretty quick but doesn't feel blisteringly fast.

So I guess my admittedly dumb question is: how hard can/should I push this car on a daily basis? Is it cool to drive it in sport mode and in high RPM quite a bit, like this guy...

Thanks so much for any advice. I know these basic driving questions are stupid, but I'm trying to learn and don't want to screw up my new car.

scorcherjf · 07-03-2009, 09:45 PM

Nah dude, this is how you should drive it: =)
(especially at 5:25)

But for real, there's a lot of debate over how you should break in the engine, it's up to you, but the manual says to keep it under 4500 rpm for the first 1200 or so miles.

But after that, this car does pretty well on the track so don't be afraid that you're "breaking" the engine if you're in the high rpm range every now and then... it's built for it!

jibaholic101 · 07-03-2009, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorcherjf

Nah dude, this is how you should drive it: =)
(especially at 5:25)

But for real, there's a lot of debate over how you should break in the engine, it's up to you, but the manual says to keep it under 4500 rpm for the first 1200 or so miles.

But after that, this car does pretty well on the track so don't be afraid that you're "breaking" the engine if you're in the high rpm range every now and then... it's built for it!

hello! i am a firm believer in following the manuals break in suggestions as helps with longevity of the car. since this engine is twin turbo'd, the peak performance will not be at redline, somewhere around 7000

before you go wild with tracking, i would go take a Skip Barber or BMW performance center car control class, it will teach you how to properly huck the car while keeping it in control, it is a whole different art than SUV driving

schleppcar · 07-03-2009, 10:08 PM

What a great dad!

DVDA · 07-03-2009, 10:48 PM

What did you graduate from?

High School? College? Graduate School?

MOCKBA · 07-03-2009, 10:57 PM

If it is a gift, then you can ignore break in period rules and drive it for a pleasure.

GreatDane · 07-04-2009, 01:51 PM

Thanks so much for the replies, guys. It was for graduating college.

I think that BMW driving class would be perfect. Do they offer them at every dealership or do you have to travel?

Upgrade+ · 07-04-2009, 02:25 PM

Nice "Gift". Enjoy it and be safe. Let it break in for the first 1200mi then unleash it.

kb2dhg · 07-07-2009, 03:00 PM

Drive it like a baby for the first 1200 miles then beat it like a woman! This car is built for performance driving. hang it out at around 5-6000 RPM and hold on!

lib · 07-07-2009, 03:11 PM

Don't drive like an ass in public but I'm a firm believer in getting the revs up (legally and after the engine is warm) every few days.

However you drive it, be careful. When you push it past the limits it can let go very quickly. The first time I let someone drive mine they spun it.

scorcherjf · 07-07-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kb2dhg

beat it like a woman!

LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by lib

However you drive it, be careful. When you push it past the limits it can let go very quickly. The first time I let someone drive mine they spun it.

I'd say don't let your friends drive it unless you know they're competent drivers that have driven high horsepower cars before. I've let a bunch of people drive mine and none of them have ever spun out, but that's because I know their level of driving skill (most of them are experience track drivers). If you have a ricer friend with a 1990 honda that talks about v-tec all the time you shouldn't let him take a spin... they just like to bury their foot into the accelerator because that's what they have to do in their car to go anywhere =)

lib · 07-07-2009, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scorcherjf

I'd say don't let your friends drive it unless you know they're competent drivers that have driven high horsepower cars before. I've let a bunch of people drive mine and none of them have ever spun out, but that's because I know their level of driving skill (most of them are experience track drivers). If you have a ricer friend with a 1990 honda that talks about v-tec all the time you shouldn't let him take a spin... they just like to bury their foot into the accelerator because that's what they have to do in their car to go anywhere =)

While I would direct that response as a word of advice to the OP, I have to be fair to the guy that spun mine... It was at an autocross test & tune and we went into it being fully aware he would try to drive it at 11/10ths. I've spun it myself during test & tunes while trying to find the limit and spun it once during an HPDE (I need to re-upload that video

). It's not unexpected.

The point I was trying to get across is you can very quickly cross the limit and end up wrapping it around a tree. I don't care how much experience someone may have as a driver or how good they are or think they are. As someone that's both seen people spin one and spun one myself (in a safe environment) I'm simply being the nagging voice asking people to not screw around on the street. I'm tired of running across threads where someone thought they could handle it but instead ended up killing a few people.

Add1ct · 07-07-2009, 05:38 PM

after the break in period, drive it like you stole it, haha. seriously be safe and have fun. Since you aren't used to this car or this type of car, ease into it.

InfiniteJest · 07-07-2009, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lib

While I would direct that response as a word of advice to the OP, I have to be fair to the guy that spun mine... It was at an autocross test & tune and we went into it being fully aware he would try to drive it at 11/10ths. I've spun it myself during test & tunes while trying to find the limit and spun it once during an HPDE (I need to re-upload that video

). It's not unexpected.

The point I was trying to get across is you can very quickly cross the limit and end up wrapping it around a tree. I don't care how much experience someone may have as a driver or how good they are or think they are. As someone that's both seen people spin one and spun one myself (in a safe environment) I'm simply being the nagging voice asking people to not screw around on the street. I'm tired of running across threads where someone thought they could handle it but instead ended up killing a few people.

QFT-Trees->

MUST read...especially if youre new to sports cars-really harrowing:

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e60...-5-killed.html

edit to add: The harrowing part is not just the link in the top but reading the thread as the posters realize what is going on...starting top of page three i suppose.

-IJ

guardianangel3290 · 07-07-2009, 06:11 PM

Like everyone has said, wait for the 1200 mile mark, then drive it however the hell you want! lol
Trust me, youre not gonna be hurting the car by accelerating hard (especially since its an auto)

backtoreality15 · 07-07-2009, 06:23 PM

Yeah drive it how you want after break-in. I regularly go up to 5k RPMs around town, safely and...legally

...of course. From what I have read, these engines are made to be driven hard.

Though I don't have the fatty twin-turbos slapped on my N52 like you... Heh.

lib · 07-07-2009, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by backtoreality15

Though I don't have the fatty twin-turbos slapped on my N52 like you... Heh.

You'll still want to get the revs up every so often. Consider it preventative maintenance for that little clicking problem

ToXiC · 07-07-2009, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InfiniteJest

QFT-Trees->

MUST read...especially if youre new to sports cars-really harrowing:

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e60...-5-killed.html

edit to add: The harrowing part is not just the link in the top but reading the thread as the posters realize what is going on...starting top of page three i suppose.

-IJ

Pretty tragic...

I remember seeing that last year before I even got my car..
The guy was pretty young.. so young in fact that nobody on the site really believed he had an M5 from his past posts, pretty tragic way to prove it...

To the OP of the thread, dont end up like that guy, its always good to learn your limits, lots of good advice in this thread...

ORIGIN M. · 07-07-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by InfiniteJest

QFT-Trees->

MUST read...especially if youre new to sports cars-really harrowing:

http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e60...-5-killed.html

edit to add: The harrowing part is not just the link in the top but reading the thread as the posters realize what is going on...starting top of page three i suppose.

-IJ

Good idea to post this. It was the first thing that came to mind when I started reading this thread!

TS...I would just keep things reasonable, and get to know the car, as any of us should. Enjoy and Congrats on earning such a nice reward!!

DVDA · 07-07-2009, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToXiC

Pretty tragic...

I remember seeing that last year before I even got my car..
The guy was pretty young.. so young in fact that nobody on the site really believed he had an M5 from his past posts, pretty tragic way to prove it...

To the OP of the thread, dont end up like that guy, its always good to learn your limits, lots of good advice in this thread...

Who was the poster? Doesnt say forum name anywhere

DVDA · 07-07-2009, 09:22 PM

Nevermind I found it...the thread below is scary, eriee, sad and many more things....

Posted about his new M5, promised to post pictures to silence the non-believers about his car then 2 days later died http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e60...ts-m-mode.html

GreatDane · 07-07-2009, 11:06 PM

Hey guys - thanks again for the replies. That M5 accident was very tragic. I don't have any intentions of pushing my car to the limits like that, at least until I can get educated on how to do it safely.

I was just wondering if driving the car "hard" was ok, as I rarely went over 3000rpms on my last vehicle (LR Disco).

I'm glad you guys told me about the break in period, as I hadn't gotten to that yet in the manual. (I'm a bit worried as I let my friend drive it the day I got it and he went over 4500rpms a couple of times

)

Anyway, another stupid question. The manual also says "As a rule: driving at low engine speeds lowers fuel consumption and reduces wear." I knew that driving at higher rpms hurt gas milage, but this seems to imply that high engine speeds put more wear on the engine, as well. Does that mean that taking the car to the track every weekend will cause it to have a much shorter life?

07-03-2009, 09:34 PM	#1
GreatDane Enlisted Member 4 Rep 47 Posts Drives: BMW 135i (Alpine White) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Memphis, TN iTrader: (0)	Driving this car... Hey guys - My father surprised me with a new 135i as a graduation present, and I absolutely love it! The truth is, though, that I've always had SUVs and I really don't know how I should be driving a performance oriented car. I've seen on the internet that it is really fast, but so far I've kept it in regular mode (its auto) and kept it under 3000 rpms, as I've always been told gunning the engine a lot damages it. Its pretty quick but doesn't feel blisteringly fast. So I guess my admittedly dumb question is: how hard can/should I push this car on a daily basis? Is it cool to drive it in sport mode and in high RPM quite a bit, like this guy... Thanks so much for any advice. I know these basic driving questions are stupid, but I'm trying to learn and don't want to screw up my new car.
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07-03-2009, 09:45 PM	#2
scorcherjf Captain 29 Rep 769 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NJ iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	Nah dude, this is how you should drive it: =) (especially at 5:25) But for real, there's a lot of debate over how you should break in the engine, it's up to you, but the manual says to keep it under 4500 rpm for the first 1200 or so miles. But after that, this car does pretty well on the track so don't be afraid that you're "breaking" the engine if you're in the high rpm range every now and then... it's built for it! __________________
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07-03-2009, 10:08 PM	#4
schleppcar Speed Camera Hater 7 Rep 109 Posts Drives: '11 Z4 3.0 Deep Sea Blue/Tan Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Maryland, USA! iTrader: (0)	What a great dad! __________________ '08 135i Black Sapphire Metallic '10 F 800 ST Night Blue Life is way too short to skip good times when they come along!
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07-03-2009, 10:48 PM	#5
DVDA Major 125 Rep 1,419 Posts Drives: women crazy Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tamarac, Florida iTrader: (0)	What did you graduate from? High School? College? Graduate School?
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07-03-2009, 10:57 PM	#6
MOCKBA Captain 54 Rep 870 Posts Drives: 135 convertible Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SFBA iTrader: (0)	If it is a gift, then you can ignore break in period rules and drive it for a pleasure. __________________ 535i/HUD Kamerton brings me true sound fidelity
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07-04-2009, 01:51 PM	#7
GreatDane Enlisted Member 4 Rep 47 Posts Drives: BMW 135i (Alpine White) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Memphis, TN iTrader: (0)	Thanks so much for the replies, guys. It was for graduating college. I think that BMW driving class would be perfect. Do they offer them at every dealership or do you have to travel?
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07-04-2009, 02:25 PM	#8
Upgrade+ Good life 130 Rep 1,937 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 AW Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: NY iTrader: (8)	Nice "Gift". Enjoy it and be safe. Let it break in for the first 1200mi then unleash it. __________________ Current: 08 E90 M3 Alpine White Former: 11 135i Msport Space Gray -Former: 07 335i Titanium Silver E92- Former: 08 135i Alpine White E82- Past: 06 Subaru STI WRB- Past: 04 Audi S4 Imola yellow- Past:97 Honda prelude Ice blue
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07-07-2009, 03:00 PM	#9
kb2dhg Private First Class 3 Rep 138 Posts Drives: 2009 128i Join Date: May 2009 Location: Yonkers NY iTrader: (0)	Drive it like a baby for the first 1200 miles then beat it like a woman! This car is built for performance driving. hang it out at around 5-6000 RPM and hold on!
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07-07-2009, 03:11 PM	#10
lib Major 141 Rep 1,401 Posts Drives: <This space for rent> Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: ATX iTrader: (0)	Don't drive like an ass in public but I'm a firm believer in getting the revs up (legally and after the engine is warm) every few days. However you drive it, be careful. When you push it past the limits it can let go very quickly. The first time I let someone drive mine they spun it.
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07-07-2009, 05:38 PM	#13
Add1ct Lieutenant Colonel 59 Rep 1,859 Posts Drives: 135i, 335i Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Palos Verdes Estates (SoCal) iTrader: (3)	after the break in period, drive it like you stole it, haha. seriously be safe and have fun. Since you aren't used to this car or this type of car, ease into it. __________________ E82 N54 6MT 6FL 668 KASW turned in E92 Crimson/Cream N54 6MT, ZSP, ZPP, ZCW, Nav, Sat radio, HD Radio, Logic7, PDC, Active Steering, Active Cruise, 6FL, CA
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07-07-2009, 06:11 PM	#15
guardianangel3290 Free at last 287 Rep 986 Posts Drives: 2006 Audi S-line Quattro Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico iTrader: (0)	Like everyone has said, wait for the 1200 mile mark, then drive it however the hell you want! lol Trust me, youre not gonna be hurting the car by accelerating hard (especially since its an auto) __________________ If the possibility exists that you may have "failed" in either a normal or "epic" fashion, please follow this link.
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07-07-2009, 06:23 PM	#16
backtoreality15 Captain 81 Rep 752 Posts Drives: 2019 330i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Bay Area, CA iTrader: (0)	Yeah drive it how you want after break-in. I regularly go up to 5k RPMs around town, safely and...legally ...of course. From what I have read, these engines are made to be driven hard. Though I don't have the fatty twin-turbos slapped on my N52 like you... Heh. __________________ 2019 M-Sport 330i \| G20
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07-07-2009, 09:22 PM	#21
DVDA Major 125 Rep 1,419 Posts Drives: women crazy Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tamarac, Florida iTrader: (0)	Nevermind I found it...the thread below is scary, eriee, sad and many more things.... Posted about his new M5, promised to post pictures to silence the non-believers about his car then 2 days later died http://www.m5board.com/vbulletin/e60...ts-m-mode.html
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07-07-2009, 11:06 PM	#22
GreatDane Enlisted Member 4 Rep 47 Posts Drives: BMW 135i (Alpine White) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Memphis, TN iTrader: (0)	Hey guys - thanks again for the replies. That M5 accident was very tragic. I don't have any intentions of pushing my car to the limits like that, at least until I can get educated on how to do it safely. I was just wondering if driving the car "hard" was ok, as I rarely went over 3000rpms on my last vehicle (LR Disco). I'm glad you guys told me about the break in period, as I hadn't gotten to that yet in the manual. (I'm a bit worried as I let my friend drive it the day I got it and he went over 4500rpms a couple of times ) Anyway, another stupid question. The manual also says "As a rule: driving at low engine speeds lowers fuel consumption and reduces wear." I knew that driving at higher rpms hurt gas milage, but this seems to imply that high engine speeds put more wear on the engine, as well. Does that mean that taking the car to the track every weekend will cause it to have a much shorter life?
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