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Thread: Doin some research

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
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    Georgia USA
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    Doin some research

    Lookin to get into another BMW
    My question I have is how many mpg realistically do e36 M3 5 speeds get? How bout e39 540i 6 speeds? Im going to be driving a long way for school everyday so my truck is up for sale if anyone is interested in that
    < Queer

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Apr 2007
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    '89 325i, '97 z3
    540i six speed - 17 city, 22.5 hwy.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    May 2004
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    Atlanta, GA
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    1999 m3 and 740iL
    1999 m3 - 21avg... 18-20 city, 26-29 highway

  4. #4
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    Thanks guys thats about what im looking to get if not a little more. Anything is better than my current 8 mpg
    < Queer

  5. #5
    Join Date
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    '89 325i, '97 z3
    Get an E46 325i. Probably get close to 30

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
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    M3, 325i Touring, S2000
    Quote Originally Posted by RichE30 View Post
    Get an E46 325i. Probably get close to 30
    On the highway. Much lower around town. I average around 22 with mostly around town driving.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    E39 525i manual sport
    I've seen the best mpg on my e39 525i 5 speed vs the e36 m3 and 325i I had.

    Cosmos - Black l l Lux l HK l OEM clears all around l Depo HID's 55W 5000K l Strut bar

  8. #8
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    Great info guys thanks. Im looking for the best blend of performance and poetential as well as decent mpg kinda like my e30 was. Im going to be back into autocrossing with the next one.

    As far as reliabilty I feel the 6 cyls are alot better but ive always wanted a 540. Any thoughts?
    < Queer

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
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    E39 525i manual sport
    Look for the valley pan leaks in the E39 540 and twisted seats. The BMW I6 is going to be more reliable than the 8 cyl regardless.

    Cosmos - Black l l Lux l HK l OEM clears all around l Depo HID's 55W 5000K l Strut bar

  10. #10
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    Yeah ive heard alot about the gaskets on the m62s.
    < Queer

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2004
    Location
    San Diego, CA
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    981, e90 M3
    23.1 in my '97 e36 M3 sedan with 5-speed, and that's a 50/50 driving loop.

    Depends on your driving habits. The same car got 12 mpg at the only track event I did with it.

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
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    Senoia, GA
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    2005 330I ZHP 4dr
    I would get 28 mpg avg in my M3/4/5 that was 22 miles of spirited back road driving and 20 miles on the highway at 75 mph.
    I had a k&n drop in filter, cat back uuc exhaust and fresh plugs/fuel filter

  13. #13
    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by 98 4dr M3
    I would get 28 mpg avg in my M3/4/5 that was 22 miles of spirited back road driving and 20 miles on the highway at 75 mph.
    I had a k&n drop in filter, cat back uuc exhaust and fresh plugs/fuel filter
    Thats pretty close to what ill be driving. Georgia state all the way to exit 16 on 400 then in from there
    < Queer

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
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    suwanee, ga
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    91 M3, 95 M3, 03 ZHP....
    My 2003 330i ZHP 6 spd get 31mpg highway on cruise control, ac on 75 mph
    Tim
    CCA#36497
    2003 ZHP 6 spd
    95 M3 BuzznM3
    92 S14ic M-technic
    91 M3 classic

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
    Location
    Augusta, GA USA
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    133
    My Cars
    1995 M3
    95 m3 - 22-24mpg in town 26-30 on the highway depending on how fast you are going, i got 30mpg at 65 26.5-27 at 85-90mph.

    97 528i - 16-20 in town 25-28 on the hwy

    99 323i 25mpg in town 30-35 on the hwy

  16. #16
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Marietta, GA
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    85 e30 98 M3/4 00 528iT
    wifes e36 M3 with an Auto she can average 21-23 city and 29-31 highway. When she feels like being smooth I'd imagine better MPG would be manageable with manual.





  17. #17
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Newnan, Ga
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    E46M3-E39-E46 sedan
    my 2003 530i Sport sees 180 miles per day, usually more. I get 26-28MPG running it hard on the highway (80-100MPH), usually with AC on. The ride home from the office is heavy stop and go highway on 285.

    My last weekend road trip to Nashville it got 31MPG at 85-90MPH with AC on the entire way.



    NOTE: both my M3 and my 530 seem to get better mileage at 80-90MPH than 70MPH

  18. #18
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    86' 325es
    Aswome. Gas milage sounds good. Now to decide on what I want. 530/330 e36 m3 or 540. All would be 5/6 speeds
    < Queer

  19. #19
    Join Date
    Aug 2006
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    Kirkwood ATL
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    540it belly rubber,e30aw
    Quote Originally Posted by qidm67 View Post
    Look for the valley pan leaks in the E39 540 and twisted seats. The BMW I6 is going to be more reliable than the 8 cyl regardless.
    Do not agree and have owned both. My 540 had 233000 when sold on original auto tranny and motor. New owner is pushing 260 now and it's still strong. Maintenance maintenance is the key. Replace guild rails, valley and valve cover gaskets. Cooling system and change fluids regularly, along with being proactive with belts, hoses, ect. and these motors are as bullet proof as the sixes IMO. Neglect any motor and it will get pissed and say, f$@& you.
    The gas mileage I get in my current 540 is around the same as Richs.

  20. #20
    Join Date
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    '89 325i, '97 z3
    Difference is the 540 is a bit more expensive to maintain than an e36 m3.

  21. #21
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
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    GA, NY
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    2001 530i 5spd/2001 M5
    530i e39 ftw

  22. #22
    Join Date
    Oct 2004
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    4Runner & YJ
    Quote Originally Posted by 5speed300 View Post
    1999 m3 - 21avg... 18-20 city, 26-29 highway
    This is exactly what I've gotten in all of my e36 M3's (from stock to full N/A bolt-ons) over the last 12 years and over ~200k combined.

  23. #23
    Join Date
    Oct 2003
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    '01 M Roadster
    You guys must drive like my grandmother. I never touched 20mpg in town in my e36 M3 (lightly modded) - usually 16-17. I did get 26 on the drive back from Texas AVERAGING 80 MPH.
    2003 330i ZHP 6MT -sold
    1997 ///M3/4/5 Cosmos
    1985 535i work in progress

  24. #24
    Join Date
    Jan 2012
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    Augusta, GA USA
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    1995 M3
    Quote Originally Posted by S54ATL View Post
    You guys must drive like my grandmother. I never touched 20mpg in town in my e36 M3 (lightly modded) - usually 16-17. I did get 26 on the drive back from Texas AVERAGING 80 MPH.
    thats about what i get in my e36 m3.

  25. #25
    Join Date
    Jul 2011
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    86' 325es
    Quote Originally Posted by raptorhunter89
    thats about what i get in my e36 m3.
    I know for a fact ill drive it like I drove my e30...like I stole it
    < Queer

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