How hard can I drive my 328i?

[mapexvenus]

First off, I am a former Z4 owner. I traded my 2007 Z4 3.0i in for a 2012 328i Coupe (M Sports package) because the Pacific NW (Portland) is no place for a convertible. I loved the Z4 and while I am definitely enjoying my 328 I wanted to understand whether I can drive this vehicle as hard as I did my Z4. When I say 'hard' I mean using the kickdown (frequently), paddle shifters to for quick power, taking sharp turns and so on.

So can I drive this car hard or should I drive elegant and gentle?

[mryakan]

Just make sure the car is at operating temps and do your heart's desires. The only downside is the you will use more gas. Enjoy it.

[klax]

While I'm sure you're not going off-roading be careful around rough, uneven roads. The engine sump is made of plastic! A good sized rock will take it out.

[e66man]

While I'm sure you're not going off-roading be careful around rough, uneven roads. The engine sump is made of plastic! A good sized rock will take it out.

More info please! Never heard of this.....

[klax]

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/3179/screenshot20120528at126.png (http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&drKey=1219&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fforum.e46fanatics.com%2Fshowthrea d.php%3Ft%3D922091%26page%3D3&v=1&libid=1338653383818&out=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fphoto%2Fmy-images%2F577%2Fscreenshot20120528at126.png%2F&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fforum.e46fanatics.com%2Fshowthrea d.php%3Ft%3D922091&title=Water%20Pump%2FMetal%20or%20Plastic%20Impell er%3F%3F%3F%20-%20Page%203%20-%20E46Fanatics&txt=%3CIMG%20border%3D0%20alt%3D%22%22%20src%3D%22 http%3A%2F%2Fimg577.imageshack.us%2Fimg577%2F3179% 2Fscreenshot20120528at126.png%22%20itxtBad%3D%221% 22%20itxtNodeId%3D%2222%22%3E&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13386534321863)

[mapexvenus]

While I'm sure you're not going off-roading be careful around rough, uneven roads. The engine sump is made of plastic! A good sized rock will take it out.

Thanks for the tip. I do not intend to go off-road and will be very careful on uneven roads. I am surprised about the engine sump being plastic. Does anyone have any stories about damaged engine sumps?

[pappy1911]

Never heard of any damage...the belly pan should protect against any rocks bouncing up and then it would probably be a glancing blow...

[Manny34102]

Personally, I'm having kind of a hard time getting my arms around the concept of taking my Bimmer off roading......but maybe that's just me!

[dn60honey]

I can't believe its not butter! Is bmw doing what all the other car companys are doing and making them so they WONT last!

[pappy1911]

I had a Jaguar once and the only thing that was plastic was the tail light lens.

Plastic has come a long way.....

[mryakan]

People complain about car weight, want every bell and whistle, then they do not want any plastic. What's ma car company to do?!! Go figure!
OP, don't worry. Some people just like to highlight the negative. I do not offroad (not recommended on most BMWs anyway) but I drive my BMWs on crappy roads, and I can tell you these cara are built solid. Just enjoy it and be reasonable and you will be fine.

[Ian1973]

I have now seen it all. lol

[Hugo]

People complain about car weight, want every bell and whistle, then they do not want any plastic. What's ma car company to do?!! Go figure!
OP, don't worry. Some people just like to highlight the negative. I do not offroad (not recommended on most BMWs anyway) but I drive my BMWs on crappy roads, and I can tell you these cara are built solid. Just enjoy it and be reasonable and you will be fine.

Pretty sure they could save weight in some way other than making an oil pan out of plastic. :confused

I'm sure plastic calipers would save weight too. Would you want that?

[Pyewacket69]

Pretty sure they could save weight in some way other than making an oil pan out of plastic. :confused

I'm sure plastic calipers would save weight too. Would you want that?

Well, all plastic isn't the same, you know.

The new Boeing Dreamliner is made largely of composites, which many refer to as "plastics".

I still cringe when I hear the word "plastic" as the material for some components, even when I know it's a high strength composite.

But, to answer your question, if the caliper material was suitable for the temperatures and stresses needed for the job, then no, I wouldn't mind.

I drove a plastic body car for years... A Corvette...

[mapexvenus]

First off, I am a former Z4 owner. I traded my 2007 Z4 3.0i in for a 2012 328i Coupe (M Sports package) because the Pacific NW (Portland) is no place for a convertible. I loved the Z4 and while I am definitely enjoying my 328 I wanted to understand whether I can drive this vehicle as hard as I did my Z4. When I say 'hard' I mean using the kickdown (frequently), paddle shifters to for quick power, taking sharp turns and so on.

So can I drive this car hard or should I drive elegant and gentle?

Wow, this topic sure went all over the place :eek:
Anyway, I did notice that my car does not accelerate as rapidly as my Z4. I know that these are two completely different kinds of vehicles, but my original question was whether I could drive this as hard as I did my Z4. Any thoughts?

[pappy1911]

Well, all plastic isn't the same, you know.


I'm sure the plastic engine sump is ok for BMW, as long as it's not from recycled Suburus.

[mryakan]

Wow, this topic sure went all over the place :eek:
Anyway, I did notice that my car does not accelerate as rapidly as my Z4. I know that these are two completely different kinds of vehicles, but my original question was whether I could drive this as hard as I did my Z4. Any thoughts?
What makes you think maybe you cannot? What makes it different than the Z4 in that respect in your mind?

[mapexvenus]

What makes you think maybe you cannot? What makes it different than the Z4 in that respect in your mind?

Well, the push forward when I press the accelerator seems a little sluggish on the 328i when compared to the Z4.

[mryakan]

Well, the push forward when I press the accelerator seems a little sluggish on the 328i when compared to the Z4.
That is the nature of the AT on these cars combined with the drive by wire. Has no impact on how hard to drive it.


Any feedback on BMW Portland (formerly, Rasmussen BMW)? How they compared to Kuni for service?
I suggest posting this in the appropriate regional section.

[mapexvenus]

That is the nature of the AT on these cars combined with the drive by wire. Has no impact on how hard to drive it.


I suggest posting this in the appropriate regional section.

What I mean why I asked whether I could drive this car as hard as I could my Z4, I meant to ask whether I should also expect the same performance.


Also, apologies for posting in the wrong section - it should have gone to a thread I had already started in the regional section. Deleted that comment.

[NFerber]

Drive it as hard as you want, that's the beauty of BMW's. Just make sure you are up to operating temps, and that you follow the break in procedure.

[mapexvenus]

Drive it as hard as you want, that's the beauty of BMW's. Just make sure you are up to operating temps, and that you follow the break in procedure.

OK. The only break-in procedure I am aware of on the 328i is to not exceed 4,500 rpm and 100 mph for the first 1,200 miles. Anything else I should do during break-in?

[mryakan]

OK. The only break-in procedure I am aware of on the 328i is to not exceed 4,500 rpm and 100 mph for the first 1,200 miles. Anything else I should do during break-in?
Vary the RPM occasionally (don't stay at constant RPM for long) Going into a lower or higher gear while in CC usually does the trick. Also avoid WOT. That's all.

[mapexvenus]

Vary the RPM occasionally (don't stay at constant RPM for long) Going into a lower or higher gear while in CC usually does the trick. Also avoid WOT. That's all.

CC = Cruise Control? and wot is WOT?

[mryakan]

CC = Cruise Control? and wot is WOT?

Yes, Wide Open Throttle (aka pedal to the metal)

[cheech1]

CC = Cruise Control? and wot is WOT?
Thanks for asking wot WOT is, I was too embarrassed to ask!

[Vladvechtomov]

damn bmw went down on their quality big time =/

[mryakan]

damn bmw went down on their quality big time =/
Please explain! The e90 is more reliable and has more quality inside and out than any of its predecessors.

[bigugly]

you know, mryakan........ the famous words that always are never backed up.....

[mryakan]

you know, mryakan........ the famous words that always are never backed up.....
meaning?

[bigugly]

that was a blanket statement that has meaningless worth.


" BMW's are going down in quality" BS without backing it up.

[mryakan]

that was a blanket statement that has meaningless worth.


" BMW's are going down in quality" BS without backing it up.

I did not say that, I was countering it saying they are better. Were you saying you are criticizing the other guy's statement?
Anyway to back it up, I can easily point you to Google, but I will at least include this:

http://www.truedelta.com/BMW-3-Series/reliability-13

e9x reliability seems to be > e46 and having owned an e36, I know for sure it is better than the that even during the first 3 years of ownership. Materials much better than both previous generations too.

[bigugly]

:facepalm: i wasn't saying YOU said that, I was implying that vladvectmotiv was typing that without actually having anything to back it up.

[mryakan]

:facepalm: i wasn't saying YOU said that, I was implying that vladvectmotiv was typing that without actually having anything to back it up.
figured that after reading a bit more carefully :embarrasm. See my edit above ;).

[bigugly]

:)

[timothyelkins]

First off, I am a former Z4 owner. I traded my 2007 Z4 3.0i in for a 2012 328i Coupe (M Sports package) because the Pacific NW (Portland) is no place for a convertible. I loved the Z4 and while I am definitely enjoying my 328 I wanted to understand whether I can drive this vehicle as hard as I did my Z4. When I say 'hard' I mean using the kickdown (frequently), paddle shifters to for quick power, taking sharp turns and so on.

So can I drive this car hard or should I drive elegant and gentle?

Won't be able to drive your 328 as hard as I can drive my 335! I have never had the pleasure of driving a two seater convertible but I can tell you that my 3 series is able to be driven just as 'hard' as any other car I have owned.
Your acceleration and performance depends largely on your engine. If you wanted the performance and acceleration of a smaller car you should have gone with the 335 larger engine.

[mapexvenus]

Won't be able to drive your 328 as hard as I can drive my 335! I have never had the pleasure of driving a two seater convertible but I can tell you that my 3 series is able to be driven just as 'hard' as any other car I have owned.
Your acceleration and performance depends largely on your engine. If you wanted the performance and acceleration of a smaller car you should have gone with the 335 larger engine.

Now they tell me!
Anyway, the 328 has started to grow on me and I am starting to like it. Besides, I dropped $49k on it. The 335 was way more. My next bimmer will be an M3.

[Ian1973]

you can drive any car as hard as you want. I can't believe I'm answering this. Why would one surmise that some model car can't be driven? That redzone on your tachometer is the limit of any car, Honda, Toyota, BMW, Yugo, Diahutsu, any of them. You can bang off the limiter all day and presumably if it's built within tolerances(some may not be), it will continue to run.

Just change your oil regurlarly and have at it.

Of course M3's spontaneously combust when driven "hard".

[mapexvenus]

you can drive any car as hard as you want. I can't believe I'm answering this. Why would one surmise that some model car can't be driven? That redzone on your tachometer is the limit of any car, Honda, Toyota, BMW, Yugo, Diahutsu, any of them. You can bang off the limiter all day and presumably if it's built within tolerances(some may not be), it will continue to run.

Just change your oil regurlarly and have at it.

Of course M3's spontaneously combust when driven "hard".

I can't believe you're answering this either - without understanding the context of my very first post (I am the OP), hence your very generalist approach to the question.

[Ian1973]

Maybe you should reread your first post OP. I can follow along with who posts what, just FYI. That is why people have screen names, shocking I know.

I answered exactly how you worded your question. You think a 328 for some strange reason may not be able to handle being revved and/or handle the loads on the chassis that your Z4 can "taking corners".

Just drive the thing, you couldn't break a Civic I'm sure.

[Acer]

http://img577.imageshack.us/img577/3179/screenshot20120528at126.png (http://api.viglink.com/api/click?format=go&drKey=1219&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fforum.e46fanatics.com%2Fshowthrea d.php%3Ft%3D922091%26page%3D3&v=1&libid=1338653383818&out=http%3A%2F%2Fimageshack.us%2Fphoto%2Fmy-images%2F577%2Fscreenshot20120528at126.png%2F&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fforum.e46fanatics.com%2Fshowthrea d.php%3Ft%3D922091&title=Water%20Pump%2FMetal%20or%20Plastic%20Impell er%3F%3F%3F%20-%20Page%203%20-%20E46Fanatics&txt=%3CIMG%20border%3D0%20alt%3D%22%22%20src%3D%22 http%3A%2F%2Fimg577.imageshack.us%2Fimg577%2F3179% 2Fscreenshot20120528at126.png%22%20itxtBad%3D%221% 22%20itxtNodeId%3D%2222%22%3E&jsonp=vglnk_jsonp_13386534321863)
hey was just wondering.. is this image/summary from some kind of a e90-92 manual? Id be very interested to get it before i get a 335