[dablues]

Hi all!

Still loving my new-to-me ‘17 330i, but with it being the summer and being a teacher, and COVID to boot, I’d like to know how often is “often enough” to drive it. While I’d be out in it 24/7 if I could, planning for next year and taking care of our 4 year old means that it can be 5-7 days between drives.

However, we do use our Leaf a lot for in town stuff, because I don’t want to make for premature wear on an ICE engine for 2-5 mile jaunts. I know in general people say 20 minutes at least for an ICE engine to not experience premature wear, but is that true for these cars that are made with ASS in mind?

In any case, while I know the general guidelines for cars and resting, I’d like to know if any of you know think 5-7 days between longer drives is better than 10 minute jaunts every other day for these cars in particular.

My impression from reading here and talking to mechanics is that BMWs really don’t like to sit for very long, but short trips are almost as bad.

Thanks for all the help!

[Boostedphil698]

Originally Posted by dablues

Hi all!

Still loving my new-to-me ‘17 330i, but with it being the summer and being a teacher, and COVID to boot, I’d like to know how often is “often enough” to drive it. While I’d be out in it 24/7 if I could, planning for next year and taking care of our 4 year old means that it can be 5-7 days between drives.

However, we do use our Leaf a lot for in town stuff, because I don’t want to make for premature wear on an ICE engine for 2-5 mile jaunts. I know in general people say 20 minutes at least for an ICE engine to not experience premature wear, but is that true for these cars that are made with ASS in mind?

In any case, while I know the general guidelines for cars and resting, I’d like to know if any of you know think 5-7 days between longer drives is better than 10 minute jaunts every other day for these cars in particular.

My impression from reading here and talking to mechanics is that BMWs really don’t like to sit for very long, but short trips are almost as bad.

Thanks for all the help!

I take my 435i out as a weekend car, just to keep the gaskets from rotting. If your car is garage kept, you could probably push 2 weeks.

[Billfitz]

Ten minute drives are hard on a car. The engine doesn't get warm enough to boil off contaminants in the oil, the battery never gets fully charged. That's one reason why when I do errands in town a mile or less from home I walk.

[chiefneil]

Originally Posted by dablues

I’d like to know if any of you know think 5-7 days between longer drives is better than 10 minute jaunts every other day for these cars in particular.

Yes. Most wear on an engine is on cold start, so 10 minute jaunts every day for a week is 7 cold starts plus the engine oil never reaches operating temperature to burn off condensation. Plus 10 minutes is probably just barely enough to recoup the drain on the battery from the cold start.

One 20 minute drive once a week is 1 cold start, plus enough time to actually warm up the oil and burn off condensation, and sufficiently charge the battery.

I’ve been driving mine about once month since March for 30 mins. I’d be fine driving it once every 2-3 months and putting it on a float charger in-between. But then I’d probably start worrying about my gas getting old if I had the same gas in the tank for 6+ months, in which case I’d probably just make sure I kept the tank topped up.

[dablues]

Awesome! Great info, all. Thanks. So looks like nothing special pertaining to BMWs.

I do know that the local BMW shop, a really good one, said that leaving it undriven for a long time can cause problems with some emissions stuff. Anyone hear that?

[eluded]

I've let mine go months between starts and she is fine.

I do tender the battery.

[CrumbyButter]

I would try to get it out to stretch its legs once a week, operating temperature for an hour, on a highway, with some spirited driving.

[Eddien123]

Between my civic, m3 and my bike, the 335 doesn't get driven too much. Longest it'll sit is maybe 2-3 weeks at a time but if it's been a while I'll drive it a while. If your driving it a shorter distance than it takes for the oil temp to rise it's probably too short of a drive.

[orbE46]

Even being remote now, I still end up driving my 340i almost everyday either to get food or go work out. Mostly just around town, 20 mile round trips at the most. I get to bored if I don't drive it honestly lol

My E46 on the other hand, I've driven maybe 8-10 times since April. It unfortunately lives outside under a tree now (good because out of the sun/heat, bad because leaves). I hardwired battery tender leads in on the terminals, and keep the CTEK charger on it to maintain battery health. Starts right up after several weeks without issue. Highly recommend a tender, and taking it on a nice highway drive every week or two.

[cfm56d7b]

One good highway trip a week ought to do it. Just enjoy the car and change oil more frequently.

[Skyhigh]

Mine typically goes 4-6 weeks without any driving at least twice a year. It is not a daily vehicle and unfortuantely, due to Corona, I haven't been able to go on any long trips with it this year. Normally I do 2-3 trips a year with 2000-3000 km each. So I have an emberassingly low mileage now.

I do however maintain the battery on a charger either before or after a long rest, just to keep it fresh and not allow it to drain too much. I just did that today as I will not be driving it the next 4 weeks or so. It has given me a low battery message several times, especially after a long rest in the winter. But gladly when it happens, you can still start it 2-3 times, so you are not left hanging, you just need to drive it a bit to charge or put it on a charger.

[J00PTv]

I've put less than 3k in miles in almost 12 months on my 340i. 2016 with only 26500k miles.

I also have a 2000 E320 with under 99k miles super clean body. I daily a Nissan Altima.

I go on 1 highway drive a week for 30 total mins in the BMW and it seems to be just fine. oil was changed back in Feb before the craziness began.

[Silverlining_m2]

My 2013 328i is about to roll over 56k. I daily it to work and back and it's only .8 miles each way. To counteract that, a couple times a week AT LEAST I go on a long drive for a couple hours and get her good and warm. I change the oil at least every 4k miles, and usually about 3500. At the dealer too. Ours isnt too bad as far as cost here, so that gives me a chance to ALWAYS make them take a peek and feel at the timing chain and guides. I don't know how much or little you're supposed to drive a Bimmer, but I love driving it and I'm the one who's gotta pay for it, whatever happens. So to me, it is what it is. Enjoy the piss out out of your car, and do whatever it needs you to do

[obzen]

Originally Posted by Jetblack_f30

My 2013 328i is about to roll over 56k. I daily it to work and back and it's only .8 miles each way. To counteract that, a couple times a week AT LEAST I go on a long drive for a couple hours and get her good and warm. I change the oil at least every 4k miles, and usually about 3500. At the dealer too. Ours isnt too bad as far as cost here, so that gives me a chance to ALWAYS make them take a peek and feel at the timing chain and guides. I don't know how much or little you're supposed to drive a Bimmer, but I love driving it and I'm the one who's gotta pay for it, whatever happens. So to me, it is what it is. Enjoy the piss out out of your car, and do whatever it needs you to do

I like it is what it is attitude here. I live outside Chicago and I work downtown so I commute with the train. To the train and back is about 10,15 mins each way tops Mon-fri. The cold starts now will be nothing once winter rolls out, maybe more frequent oil changes and proper warm up will counteract but we shall see.

Anyone have any input for the B58 engine? Same deal?

[Billfitz]

Same deal with all cars, all engines. Summer isn't too bad, but short trips only when the temperature dips below freezing is tough on engines and batteries.

[syd34]

I try to take mine at least once a week (sometimes twice) for a half hour drive. I also ended up buying a battery tender to maximize battery life.

For my last two leases (non BMW cars), I was always over the lease mileage limit. For my 440i, I purchased extra mileage on my lease and now I barely get to drive it

[rebattery]

Drive the car!!!!

[J00PTv]

The thing for me is I love in Chicago. I hate the roads for cruising. I go out once a week driving up north for about 30-40 mins on the highway. Gets the car nice and hot.

i just feel like I need a destination to go to lol.

[dablues]

Thanks, everybody, for these good opinions and experiences. I’ve learned a lot!

[dassub]

It can sit for as long as you want, as long as you keep a battery tender on it.
I have heard that rusty brakes can be an issue for cars like the i3, but I haven't heard too much with the F30.

[Skyhigh]

The i3 is not a car

[cheng0330]

Well...Maybe once a week would be enough. But every ride should last 30 minutes or more to make sure everything warms up. Cold start is actually the worst status for the engine.