What did you do to/for your 1er today?

[K9Leader]

Took Little Red (2011 128i) on a five-day road trip over this past weekend. I track my MPG from fill-up to fill-up and have noticed how far off the computer displayed MPG is usually. What the display shows for MPG since the last fill-up (I reset it to Zero at each fill-up) and what I get when calculating it (I use the Fuelly app) are vastly different - the display is usually approximately 20% higher than the actual. See the chart below:



I've noticed a similar discrepancy with my 1999 C5 Corvette, although while the displayed MPG is almost always higher than the actual, it is usually in 5-10% range. With my E91 (2010 328i X-drive) the difference is usually much closer:



Both BMWs have the N52 with the 3IM upgrade (although with the 128 it was installed only for the last three fill-ups). I've always thought that with the Corvette, GM purposely designed it to give overly optimistic MPG readings, so that Corvette owners would brag about how their performance car can also get 30+ MPG - many of them get very defensive when it is pointed out that the vehicle computer calculated MPG readings are probably overly optimistic.

But the size of the discrepancies on the 128 and the much closer to actual on the 328 are puzzling. Anyone else a Type A who tracks all of this and can add to the discussion?

[krhodes1]

K9Leader

I'm not as obsessive as you, but I do keep track on my cars.

My computers are usually as close as you are going to get filling up at random pumps, within 5% or so. But what I have found, and mentioned on the forum, is that my N52 328i wagon gets MUCH better fuel economy than my N51 128i. Pretty much 5mpg across the board difference. Both are RWD with 6spd sticks, driven in similar suburban environments. And it was consistent when I had both cars in the same state too. Normally, the 328i is in Maine (but only driven summers) and the 128i is in Florida. But the 128i has spent two summers in Maine.

If I ever find another 128i convertible, and it's an N52, I will be very curious as to how much difference just the SULEV motor makes. For sure, the N51 convertible is *especially* terrible when I am only making short trips around town. Disproportionately worse than the 328i. The gap closes on trips - and the 328i wagon has to be rather more aerodynamic than the convertible. That car actually gets astounding gas mileage on a trip - into the 30's - and it got 25mpg crossing Germany on the autobahn, as balls to the wall as a non-sport 328i will go. The convertible won't break 28mpg with a tail wind and drafting a truck. But I have also never, ever seen less than 22mpg out of the wagon, and right now the convertible is sitting at about 17mpg. I haven't been out of town with it this tank. Going to Sarasota this weekend, which will bump it up a bit.

Then there is my Land Rover. 16mpg no matter what. City, highway, towing a boat. Doesn't seem to really matter. Spitfire will do 35mpg plus, and my Mercedes wagon is a couple mpg shy of the BMW wagon across the board.

[mkeiser]

Originally Posted by K9Leader

Took Little Red (2011 128i) on a five-day road trip over this past weekend. I track my MPG from fill-up to fill-up and have noticed how far off the computer displayed MPG is usually. What the display shows for MPG since the last fill-up (I reset it to Zero at each fill-up) and what I get when calculating it (I use the Fuelly app) are vastly different - the display is usually approximately 20% higher than the actual. See the chart below:



I've noticed a similar discrepancy with my 1999 C5 Corvette, although while the displayed MPG is almost always higher than the actual, it is usually in 5-10% range. With my E91 (2010 328i X-drive) the difference is usually much closer:



Both BMWs have the N52 with the 3IM upgrade (although with the 128 it was installed only for the last three fill-ups). I've always thought that with the Corvette, GM purposely designed it to give overly optimistic MPG readings, so that Corvette owners would brag about how their performance car can also get 30+ MPG - many of them get very defensive when it is pointed out that the vehicle computer calculated MPG readings are probably overly optimistic.

But the size of the discrepancies on the 128 and the much closer to actual on the 328 are puzzling. Anyone else a Type A who tracks all of this and can add to the discussion?

the other day I was checking fuelly for a few cars and noticed your name when i was checking on the 128's

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by krhodes1

K9Leader

I'm not as obsessive as you, but I do keep track on my cars.

My computers are usually as close as you are going to get filling up at random pumps, within 5% or so. But what I have found, and mentioned on the forum, is that my N52 328i wagon gets MUCH better fuel economy than my N51 128i. Pretty much 5mpg across the board difference. Both are RWD with 6spd sticks, driven in similar suburban environments. And it was consistent when I had both cars in the same state too. Normally, the 328i is in Maine (but only driven summers) and the 128i is in Florida. But the 128i has spent two summers in Maine.

If I ever find another 128i convertible, and it's an N52, I will be very curious as to how much difference just the SULEV motor makes. For sure, the N51 convertible is *especially* terrible when I am only making short trips around town. Disproportionately worse than the 328i. The gap closes on trips - and the 328i wagon has to be rather more aerodynamic than the convertible. That car actually gets astounding gas mileage on a trip - into the 30's - and it got 25mpg crossing Germany on the autobahn, as balls to the wall as a non-sport 328i will go. The convertible won't break 28mpg with a tail wind and drafting a truck. But I have also never, ever seen less than 22mpg out of the wagon, and right now the convertible is sitting at about 17mpg. I haven't been out of town with it this tank. Going to Sarasota this weekend, which will bump it up a bit.

Then there is my Land Rover. 16mpg no matter what. City, highway, towing a boat. Doesn't seem to really matter. Spitfire will do 35mpg plus, and my Mercedes wagon is a couple mpg shy of the BMW wagon across the board.

Odd that your experience and mine are the opposite - my 128i (coupe, 6MT) gets higher MPG than my 328i X-Drive E91. Both have N52 with 3IM but the E91 is an automatic. Around town, the 128 is only a little better than the 328 but on longer highway trips, the 128 is capable of breaking 30 MPG while the 328 has only topped 25 one time (27.9).

[Fishee]

Originally Posted by Fishee

Parts day.

Finally!
Swapped out everything but the springs. They're fine
OE and Genuine everything, mounts, perches, bolts, m sport shocks, swaybar links, etc.

The refreshed suspension feels incredible, like a new car.
Front strut top mounts were definitely worn and causing some crashiness.
Ball joints in the sway bar links were shot as well.
Rear shocks are nearing end of life.

What surprised me was the excellent condition of all factory parts, including the fact that the front shocks were still in great shape.

Took the time to spray some Fluid Film as well, just in case.

Found a great car that hasn't been winter driven













No rust!!


All of the original parts.





Back together.

[jsigone]

flossed the RPF1, took forever. Still some stubborn baked on brake dust that has been impossible to remove. On the 4th brand of rim cleaner, Meguiars this time around. Wondering if I need to bite the bullet and get a high pressure washer???

Was OCD enough the wheels I did a good wash and spray on 3n1 finish over the paint.

[Donkeyshins]

Installed the HPAutosport M3 front-strut brace solution on my 128i yesterday (you can just see the strut rings peeking out in the shot above):



Everything went smoothly except for the bit where my windshield cracked as I leaned over it.

(to be fair, it had been hit by a rock earlier in the day, but apparently, I was the last straw)



Note: I will be installing the updated heater box cover with the snap-in boots as I had to cut the boots (and duct-tape them) to get the aluminum single-point mount in place. Unfortunately, there's a 4-week lead-time on those particular parts from FCP Euro - so if you are planning on doing this yourself, order those first!

[bnace10]

Originally Posted by jsigone

flossed the RPF1, took forever. Still some stubborn baked on brake dust that has been impossible to remove. On the 4th brand of rim cleaner, Meguiars this time around. Wondering if I need to bite the bullet and get a high pressure washer???

Try the Aluminum Brightener from NAPA. Works crazy good, however if you don't want to use something that aggressive on the painted wheels, I've heard Adams is pretty good, but no experience.

The NAPA stuff is just a super aggressive degreaser. You definitely don't want to breathe it in or get it in your eyes, ask me how I know.

And most definitely don't spray it on hot rotors, that stuff boiling is even worse.

[jsigone]

Read that paint is thin on the Enkei, so I'll try Adams and IronX next.

Tried:
Sonax Wheel Cleaner
Griot's Garage Heavy Duty Wheel Cleaner
Chemical Guys Diablo
Meguiar's Ultimate All Wheel Cleaner

Sonax and Meguiars were best so far on the RFP1 so far but none for baked on stuff. Diablo was last. I need to wash rims right after future canyon runs once I get them fully clean....or ceramic coat them

[GoRomeo]

I dyed my 2 front seats. Pretty happy with the results so far. Ill take more pics. Alaska Grey color. 👍

I used. https://autoleatherdye.com/

[WrathOTM]

Looks good, what brand of dye?

[GoRomeo]

Its called Autoleaterdye.com I included the link on my post.

[twinturbovan]

Bought some 106 wheels from a kool guy on here and did this small photoshop of how they would look on my car! Will be having them painted a unique color once they arrive!

[WrathOTM]

Originally Posted by GoRomeo

Its called Autoleaterdye.com I included the link on my post.

derp. got it thanks

[mkeiser]

She's all fixed ))

[1and1]

Originally Posted by mkeiser

She's all fixed ))

Very cool!

Hope they did a great job and it lasts better than OE!

[twinturbovan]

Got a new diffuser for the car at least til we get a Track Spec Diffuser made for the car. Haven't had my car in over 2 months though. Its been in the shop getting the RSF Splitter installed which requires bumper cutting bc its so aggressive. The diffuser's going to look good with the massive Carbon Track Spec Wing and Massive Track Spec Splitter!

[Donkeyshins]

Got my 128i up on the lifts to do an oil change, replace the front knuckle to brake caliper / carrier bolts with the newer e-Torx version, and bolt on the winter wheels & tires:



Here's the old hex bolt (bottom) vs. the new e-Torx bolt (top) - the e-Torx is far more resistant to stripping:



I also discovered that when I did the 328i rear calipers last earlier, I forgot to hook up the rear brake sensor. Whoops.

All's sorted with the tire pressures and I'm enjoying how nimble the car feels with the skinnier staggered 261s with Pilot A/S-4 all-seasons front & rear vs. the chonkier staggered 264s with (sticky AF) Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Positions. Of course, by the end of the cold months, I'll be longing for the very planted & stable summer tires.

Still getting quotes for the windshield. Looks like it'll be close to a grand to replace with OE glass ($250 deductable) but sounds like it is worth it if you don't want to worry about the rain sensor / auto-dim mirrors possibly malfunctioning. This will be the second windshield I'll have to replace in a 6-month period after going my entire driving life (almost 40 years) without ever having broken a windshield. When it rains, it pours.

[Donkeyshins]

Originally Posted by twinturbovan

Got a new diffuser for the car at least til we get a Track Spec Diffuser made for the car. Haven't had my car in over 2 months though. Its been in the shop getting the RSF Splitter installed which requires bumper cutting bc its so aggressive. The diffuser's going to look good with the massive Carbon Track Spec Wing and Massive Track Spec Splitter!

Are you going to track your E88, and if so, are you going to need to add a rollbar since you have a soft-top?

[K9Leader]

Originally Posted by Donkeyshins

This will be the second windshield I'll have to replace in a 6-month period after going my entire driving life (almost 40 years) without ever having broken a windshield. When it rains, it pours.

I had a Subaru Outback that I owned from 2000 to 2016. I had to replace the windshield on that car four times from about 2006 to 2009. Original lasted 2000 to 2006, last one (#5) lasted from 2009 until I sold it in 2016. I also had (actually still have) a 2003 Subaru Baja (identical to the Outback except with an open bed) that still has the original windshield after 20 years.

I did the windshield on my 2010 128i because the original (or at least the one on it when I bought it) was so pitted and worn that it was virtually opaque when driving into the sun. Just had the one on my E91 done - I cracked it when trying to change the upper weatherstripping (fortunately covered by insurance).

[twinturbovan]

Originally Posted by Donkeyshins

Are you going to track your E88, and if so, are you going to need to add a rollbar since you have a soft-top?

Hey dude, yes the E88 is a full track car. It's about to get some Nitron Track Suspension matched with the M3 full Control Arm Kit. Here are some previous track photos:

[Donkeyshins]

Originally Posted by twinturbovan

Hey dude, yes the E88 is a full track car. It's about to get some Nitron Track Suspension matched with the M3 full Control Arm Kit. Here are some previous track photos:

Nice! I've heard that the E88 chassis is pretty stiff and doesn't give away much compared to the coupe - nice to see that in action on a track!