My thoughts after 3500+ mile road trip

[Bizall]

Well, I just got back from my wife and I's vacation. We drove from Colorado Springs, CO to San Antonio, TX and stayed for a week. Then drove to Houston, TX and stayed for a week. Then Galveston, TX to Fort Worth, TX and stayed the night, Then back to Colorado Springs, CO. We drove here and there at each place. Anyways, here are my thoughts...

-First off, I drove 95% of the time and I was never tired of driving my 135i
-I have the sports package, and the seats were surprisingly comfortable
-I had my GPS with me and like others have posted the speedo reads a tad high, at 80 on speedo is actually 77, and 155 on speedo is actually 148:wink:
-On one tank of gas, I kept it at 80 on cruise control for the majority of the way and got 24mpg, at 75 I got 27. My highest mileage during the whole trip was 28mpg, lowest was 22mpg when I was in the cities.
-I was surprised how much room I had, I had the trunk completely full, plus two rims w/tires mounted behind my seat. Wife riding passenger and our small dog behind her.
-I did have two limps but I'm sure it had something to do with the heat, it was 106 on the OBC.
-Knock on wood, but my windshield is still crack free.


Overall, I was impressed by the overall trip. So, if you are worried about it, don't be. It should take whatever you throw at it and then some. :biggrin:

[Tom K.]

Thanks for the report. I leave in a couple of days for a month long trip to the Pacific coast (ca. 7,000 miles) in my 128i. Especially looking forward to the CO, NM and UT mountains.
Tom

[1speedbike]

thats great! and very reassuring since i'll be driving mine to and from florida (im in NJ) once or twice a year. do you happen to remember the engine / oil temps from the times you went into limp mode?

[YoungTurk]

Keep 'em coming guys. Love road trips.

YT

[esses]

Sounds like a fun trip, pretty hot though. Any more details on the limp modes?

[Bizall]

Originally Posted by 1speedbike

thats great! and very reassuring since i'll be driving mine to and from florida (im in NJ) once or twice a year. do you happen to remember the engine / oil temps from the times you went into limp mode?

I would say around 230 degrees. Since I have had my car, I've never seen it past 250. The one limp my wife was driving in went WOT in 6th to pass someone. The second one, I was in 6th and went maybe half-throttle to pass someone. I got on it after the temp went down later in the day and no limps. I'm assuming it had something to do with the temperature outside. Mods are in my sig.

[Spook]

I think the limps would worry me. The car should be fine in the 75-100 mph range even in 105 degrees with 99% humidity. I lived in Houston for many years and never had troubles with my 95 E36 M3 or the wifes Infiniti G35. I wish I had specific data on engine temperatures from back when. Do you believe they are related to your mods?

[stampchez]

Those limps must be related to the mods. Stock you can go 280+ without getting a limp mode.

[e36chris]

did you take her out after the break in period, or was this during break in?

[imported_mega]

exactly what happens when these cars go into limp mode?

[Russo]

cool

[Number_6]

You left the beautiful state of Colorado, to visit Texas, in SUMMER? It should be the other way around!

[jeremyc74]

Originally Posted by mega

exactly what happens when these cars go into limp mode?

A light comes on on the dash to tell you it's happened, and then the turbos shut down. The car runs like a 128i at that point. It's perfectly driveable, just a lot slower.

[Bizall]

Originally Posted by e36chris

did you take her out after the break in period, or was this during break in?

I had 1500 miles before I left, so I was past the BMW break-in period. I have gone into limp mode once before. All three have been after mods in my sig, so that could be a factorl. I have to take her in to the dealership in a week or two and will remove the intake and JB2. I'll see if it returns. It's never been consistent, all at different situations whether RMP, full throttle, half-throttle and different gears.

[Bizall]

Originally Posted by Number_6

You left the beautiful state of Colorado, to visit Texas, in SUMMER? It should be the other way around!

Yep, sounds backwards to me too. I was born in Houston and lived there until 18. I'm still not used to the heat/humidity everytime I go back. I'll tell ya though it felt AMAZING pulling up to my house and getting out of the car to feel the cool dry air. Ahhhh! Smells a bit cleaner too.

[redwood]

I used to live in Houston. Your Colorado air is definitely cleaner.

[adc]

Careful with the intake, you have to be 100% sure there aren't any leaks. And if you have the new V81 computer, then the use of JB2 is not recommended - use your JB2 in "JB1 mode" (with some wires disconnected) and/or go directly for a JB3 when it becomes available.

That being said, limp mode can also occur due to coolant temperature exceeding certain values (not just oil temps).

[Spook]

Originally Posted by Number_6

You left the beautiful state of Colorado, to visit Texas, in SUMMER? It should be the other way around!

(OK, sorry, off topic) For those in Houston, I lived there (Clear Lake) for 20 yrs. I'm now in the New Mexico mountains. Clean, dry air. Cool temps. Houston has many positives (e.g. you can find anything there) but weather and environment were beyond challenging and if you ever leave, you can't go back. Sure miss the Gulf though..