3000rpm at 70mph???

estewart769 · #1 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 12:59 PM

i have a 1992 325i with the manual transmission. its a great car and all, but at freeway speeds its running at 3000 plus rpm! is this normal?? cuz its really killing my gas mileage.

Manolito · #2 (**permalink**) 06-12-2008, 10:14 PM

I have two automatics in the garage right now, so my RPMs would not be very meaningful to what is normal for you. I'm thinking that 3000 sounds maybe a little fast, but only by 200-300 RPM. I will see what my automatic '97 cranks on the way to work tomorrow.

Do you suspect that a P.O. re-geared your rear end? What is your highway mileage?

RacerJames666 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-13-2008, 03:15 PM

my m3 may be slightly different, but on my drive down the coast, 70mph was 3000,
85 was 3400, fuel mileage somehow 28mpg on 92 octane

estewart769 · #4 (**permalink**) 06-14-2008, 06:26 PM

i dont think any one has re geared the rear end the first owner was a little old lady and the second was an idiot (he seriously messed up the interior installing a cd changer, i doubt he knew where the differential was). up until i started driving on the interstate every day i was getting 28 to 30 mpg on 92 octane gas but now im using a quarter tank every day!!

cm325 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-10-2008, 01:10 PM

Sounds about right my 92 non-vanos with a manual box sat at 80mph and just under 3500. but by no means have i ever gotten 28mpg more like 22-24.
CM

chafter · #6 (**permalink**) 07-11-2008, 09:12 AM

occording to that's normal 'cause my 325e 86 is doing the same thing

frank1975 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-15-2008, 11:01 AM

Sounds normal I was at 3.9k RPM @ 80 MPH with 3.46 gears

imae30driver · #8 (**permalink**) 07-17-2008, 10:04 PM

i just bought my second bmw, its a 93 325is with the 5 speed manual... running at 80 mph @ just under 35k rpm... remember this is an autobahn car and it sits in its power band at these speeds to help pass and increase vehical control.. even at 80 i can manage about 30 mpg... however that works... if you have irrational fuel consumption id look elsewhere... maybe other reasons

overeasy · #9 (**permalink**) 08-06-2008, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by imae30driver

i just bought my second bmw, its a 93 325is with the 5 speed manual... running at 80 mph @ just under 35k rpm... remember this is an autobahn car and it sits in its power band at these speeds to help pass and increase vehical control.. even at 80 i can manage about 30 mpg... however that works... if you have irrational fuel consumption id look elsewhere... maybe other reasons

the auto has only four gears
try driving 70 in fourth and you'll see it is actually normal.