Is fast driving bad for a Bimmer?

[lamarck]

Hello all. I was wondering what you guys know about this. Most would agree that it is extremely fun to floor a bimmer and just fly by all the regular traffic. It's addicting even. But to me it seems like there has to be some harm done to a car from this. The roar of the engine the fast increase in rpm. Also increasing the throttle seems like it would put too much pressure on the fuel pump and other things. What do you guys think about this? I realize many people will say something like, I drive this way all the time and my car is fine but I want to know more about the details. Also would the milage of a car effect your answer?

[Mike540i]

Cleans out the carbon.

[///Montizzle]

No. Your car will love you more if you let it hang above 3k rpm for a while :) trust me :)

[tsweers89]

well all things that re good arent always good for everyone. it will cause some things to happen if you do it a lot. All depends on the condition of the engine

[Treepusher]

Speed is indeed addicting. However, I would like to refer you to this thread and let you answer your own question.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=921986

[Ianbiz]

Speed is indeed addicting. However, I would like to refer you to this thread and let you answer your own question.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=921986

And the car was barely broken in.:(

[ohnoes]

well all things that re good arent always good for everyone. it will cause some things to happen if you do it a lot. All depends on the condition of the engine

It will not cause anything to happen unless you have it near redline at extremely high speeds for an extended period of time. Temporarily, it's actually good; it cleans out the engine of all the carbon and other unwanted gunk.

BMWs are meant for high speeds. I regularly exceed 100 MPH and my M3 just begs for more. I hit 130 MPH (indicated... we all know how desperately optimistic BMW speedos are, about 5-7 MPH at that speed, most likley) yesterday in rush hour, and although I was obviously blowing by traffic, it felt like I was going about half the speed. These cars are UNBELIEVABLY stable at high speeds. I'm not kidding when I say that aspect alone of German cars is a concept worth marveling at.

[Snork]

Speed is indeed addicting. However, I would like to refer you to this thread and let you answer your own question.

http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=921986
Oh my god, speed kills! But seriously, that was a completely pointless reference to a worn to death subject. I demand you apologise to me and to all the other members of this forum.

[lamarck]

it felt like I was going about half the speed. These cars are UNBELIEVABLY stable at high speeds. I'm not kidding when I say that aspect alone of German cars is a concept worth marveling at.

I totally agree.

[tsweers89]

It will not cause anything to happen unless you have it near redline at extremely high speeds for an extended period of time. Temporarily, it's actually good; it cleans out the engine of all the carbon and other unwanted gunk.

BMWs are meant for high speeds. I regularly exceed 100 MPH and my M3 just begs for more. I hit 130 MPH (indicated... we all know how desperately optimistic BMW speedos are, about 5-7 MPH at that speed, most likley) yesterday in rush hour, and although I was obviously blowing by traffic, it felt like I was going about half the speed. These cars are UNBELIEVABLY stable at high speeds. I'm not kidding when I say that aspect alone of German cars is a concept worth marveling at.

This is true but always beating on the car isnt good for any kind of car

[ohnoes]

This is true but always beating on the car isnt good for any kind of car

So we're equating driving at high speeds with beating on it? This isn't a Nissan Sentra...

[S52wheelspin]

this site is full of douchbags. we don't want another dead stupid kid to be linked to a bmw forum.

[ohnoes]

this site is full of douchbags.

To whom are you referring? Or is that just a general, nonpointed observation? :shifty

[S52wheelspin]

To whom are you referring? Or is that just a general, nonpointed observation? :shifty

to te people that are actually answering this kids question. c'mon, its obvious he's another 18yr old with a bimmer that we'll hear from on the news in a couple of days.

[ohnoes]

to te people that are actually answering this kids question. c'mon, its obvious he's another 18yr old with a bimmer that we'll hear from on the news in a couple of days.

I think that's recency bias... what about the thousands of kids for this one who've wondered similar things, tried them, and to whom nothing happened?

[prash]

These cars are UNBELIEVABLY stable at high speeds. I'm not kidding when I say that aspect alone of German cars is a concept worth marveling at.
this is true.


this site is full of douchbags. we don't want another dead stupid kid to be linked to a bmw forum.

:rofl :rofl :rofl

can't argue with fact.

[Snork]

Since when are subjective, uninformed observations fact, prash?

[ohnoes]

Since when are subjective, uninformed observations fact, prash?

Since America was founded.

[IWannaBMW]

you're actually hurting it by driving slow, the flux capacitor builds up sludge in it if you don't.

[lamarck]

he's another 18yr old with a bimmer that we'll hear from on the news in a couple of days.


Yeah I am 18 but damn you don't have to say it like that. I know that things can be dangerous.

[Snork]

Yeah I am 18 but damn you don't have to say it like that. I know that things can be dangerous.
Whuh oh. Everybody hide!

[bigbeansm3]

BMW's hold up incredibly well to abuse...i bought an 1988 325is with unknown mileage as the odometer stopped working at 199,3xx. I gutted it and was running 2.4 sec 60 ft. times and sub 7 second 0-60s, bone stock on the worst tires imaginable. If i did a full 1/4 mile, i would expect it to be in the high 14's due to the weight reduction. The car ran like a champ, and saw the triple digits on the ride home from the dealer. It never gave so much as a puff of smoke, and ran strong as hell. I don't doubt that i could have changed all the fluids, thrown some brake pads on it and driven it for another 100k without any major failures.

[S52wheelspin]

Yeah I am 18 but damn you don't have to say it like that. I know that things can be dangerous.

I have to say it like that so you don't fuckin do it, think about what your parents will go through if you die. if you want to push it to the limit go to an autocross or just set up some cones in a parking lot, trust me, its a lot of fun, and you won't die. okey?

[lamarck]

I have to say it like that so you don't fuckin do it, think about what your parents will go through if you die. if you want to push it to the limit go to an autocross or just set up some cones in a parking lot, trust me, its a lot of fun, and you won't die. okey?

Okay this is not what I am talking about. Im not saying going 100 mph. I am just talking about fast acceleration. Even if it does not exceed the speed limit. That was my question.

[ohnoes]

BMW's hold up incredibly well to abuse...i bought an 1988 325is with unknown mileage as the odometer stopped working at 199,3xx. I gutted it and was running 2.4 sec 60 ft. times and sub 7 second 0-60s, bone stock on the worst tires imaginable. If i did a full 1/4 mile, i would expect it to be in the high 14's due to the weight reduction. The car ran like a champ, and saw the triple digits on the ride home from the dealer. It never gave so much as a puff of smoke, and ran strong as hell. I don't doubt that i could have changed all the fluids, thrown some brake pads on it and driven it for another 100k without any major failures.

That was an E30, dude; of course it can hold up to abuse. According to Memo #1337, E30s are God's chariot.

[Wolfen]

To answer your question. High speeds are no big deal. Hard acceleration is propably more of what you;re asking. IMO it's not any worse on a car to accelerate hard. A properly designed car is built with components that far exceed the necessary load carrying capacities. No component should break or wear out faster if properly designed.

My 540 has an auto tranny capable of holding 400ft lbs of torque. The engine cranks a max of 330 ft lbs of torque. So a robust engine, mated to a very strong tranny , drive shaft and rear end will result in snapping it off the line and the car begging for more.

I noticed my engine is noticeably peppier after it gets floored hard and made to work. MPG go up slightly afterwards. It almost seems intuitive that BMW's beg to be exercised. I noticed my car is very happy and snappy when exercised hard. When i drive it like a caddy, within 1-2 tank fulls it definitely feels like it's full of cobwebs and it needs to be blown out hard. Afterwards its like a different car. Like it says to me " about friggin time i thought you lost interest " lol!

[Treepusher]

Oh my god, speed kills! But seriously, that was a completely pointless reference to a worn to death subject. I demand you apologise to me and to all the other members of this forum.

You're right, and I apologize for for being unclear. Mistakes were made by the subject of that thread.

I'd insist on a video this time.

[325bob]

Anything mechanical will wear faster if used harder, or more often,but the degree of such could prove inconsequential, I'm still amazed at the abuse my Bimmers have taken.

[Wolfen]

Anything mechanical will wear faster if used harder, or more often,but the degree of such could prove inconsequential, I'm still amazed at the abuse my Bimmers have taken.


Not if its designed to be used hard. All potential stresses have to be calculated into the design plus a margin of safety. Some cars last longer and run better when driven hard more often. Some just break, but were talking BMW here.

[bigbeansm3]

Not if its designed to be used hard. All potential stresses have to be calculated into the design plus a margin of safety. Some cars last longer and run better when driven hard more often. Some just break, but were talking BMW here.

Everything here is relative and subjective. "Hard" and "fast" are undefined terms. Clearing out the cobwebs from time is absolutely necessary. As for the mechanical components, the more you push the car the more they will wear, but the difference is usually negligible for most drivers. If you're sitting in a parking lot for 20 minutes on the rev limiter drifting and doing donuts, well then yes you're going to wear stuff out. If you're simply hammering the throttle from time to time, or even regularly, that is what the car is was designed to do, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

The biggest thing is maintaining the car, not babying it. Put it through its paces, but make sure ALL the fluids are clean and fresh. I generally do a lot more maintenance than is recommended by the manufacturer, and have seen noticeable differences in wear because of it in some of my own transmissions. I would recommend oil changes far more often than bmw does, especially for aggressive drivers. Royal Purple every 5k FTW.

[Wolfen]

The biggest thing is maintaining the car, not babying it. Put it through its paces, but make sure ALL the fluids are clean and fresh. I generally do a lot more maintenance than is recommended by the manufacturer, and have seen noticeable differences in wear because of it in some of my own transmissions. I would recommend oil changes far more often than bmw does, especially for aggressive drivers. Royal Purple every 5k FTW.


10000000000% agree. Ive had cars i dogged out for 100K. BUT i maintained them like a jet engine mechanic. The car was mechanically spotless and ren like brand new till the day i sold it. Fresh fluids are key.

[Just Blaze]

These cars are UNBELIEVABLY stable at high speeds. I'm not kidding when I say that aspect alone of German cars is a concept worth marveling at.

It's always nice to shock a friend.

"How fast are we going?"

"How fast do you think?"

"70?"

"Uh...95."

[tryintokeepup]

Well ya... duh! Jk. To the point. Its obvious that there are some things that the car can gain (a cleaner engine as someone pointed out), however, it def puts a lot of undo stress on an engine.

When you think about it, its a miracle that a car that has has how many hundreds of parts that need to work in perfect harmony every time you turn the key just to turn the engine over much less reving it to 6 or 7k rpm! If you want a miracle of engineering (our cars) to keep working in perfect harmony every time you turn the key, dont beat on it! End thread.

At the same time though, if you do beat on it, dont complain about the increased chance of something big and really expencive breaking on it! The simple fact that we drive a BMW says that we pay more than most other brands of cars for the same repair. If youre like me (really really poor) be gentle. Theres no need to beat on it if you dont have to.

Do what you want with your car tho! BUT PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE BE SAFE!!!!!!!!!!!!!


That was an E30, dude; of course it can hold up to abuse. According to Memo #1337, E30s are God's chariot.

[BUBBASGIRL]

All Things In Moderation

[Lezard]

Okay this is not what I am talking about. Im not saying going 100 mph. I am just talking about fast acceleration. Even if it does not exceed the speed limit. That was my question.

Hey, don't be too offended. It's extremely fashionable on this forum to be opposed to any sort of fun on the street. I bet a few people fainted when hearing you were passing people on the highway and not on a track.

A lot of people here would probably tell you to take a high performance driving class before taking it over 55mph :rofl:

Good news for you, you are 18, driving a very safe car. Keep it safe yourself, and you will have a very enjoyable ownership experience. And most of the time it's NOT unsafe to redline all the gears up to 70-75mph.

And the car can easily handle it. Whenever I have doubts about the "abuse" my car can handle, I just remember there is a country called Germany, where my exact car is being driven well over 100mph for long periods of time. As ohnoes said, this isn't a Nissan Sentra here. These are some of the best cars in the world.

[Treepusher]

BMWs are meant for high speeds. I regularly exceed 100 MPH and my M3 just begs for more. I hit 130 MPH (indicated... we all know how desperately optimistic BMW speedos are, about 5-7 MPH at that speed, most likley) yesterday in rush hour, and although I was obviously blowing by traffic, it felt like I was going about half the speed.

Are you really really sure you want to be hitting 130 in rush hour traffic?Especially in a state where the fines for speeding are now so astronomical, that some offenders are plea-bargaining to be shot instead, calling it a reduced sentence?

[ohnoes]

Are you really really sure you want to be hitting 130 in rush hour traffic?Especially in a state where the fines for speeding are now so astronomical, that some offenders are plea-bargaining to be shot instead, calling it a reduced sentence?

It was just an example, and they're trying to repeal those fines anyhow. But yeah, I realize it's not the best idea, and if I continued to do it I would inevitably be caught, arrested, and subsequently tortured for my gross violation of the speed limit in the Commonwealth. Yet, that prospect is rather exciting. Isn't shit always more fun when it has the potential of basically ruining your life? :buttrock

FWIW, I try to stick to ~ 80. That way, I won't be arrested, just nailed for reckless.

[Treepusher]

Hey, life on the edge, baby. But you'll need a high-priced lawyer to get it down to just torture.

[ohnoes]

Hey, life on the edge, baby. But you'll need a high-priced lawyer to get it down to just torture.

Well, I know I'll get torture--that's a given. At this point, I'm just trying to make sure that I get crucified instead of stretched out on the wheel. I'm hoping that's less painful, but I've heard mixed reviews.

[edhchoe]

I enjoy acceleration but not necessarily speed. I sometimes go 90mph because I accelerated too quickly from 60mph and not because I like going at 90mph.

[ohnoes]

I enjoy acceleration but not necessarily speed. I sometimes go 90mph because I accelerated too quickly from 60mph and not because I like going at 90mph.

That's more likely than anything a symptom of the fact that you own a MCS and not a Bimmer. Yes, they're owned by BMW... but they aren't BMWs. :shifty

I find that driving anything besides German (of course, I haven't driven an Italian exotic) you feel the high speed a lot more, and frankly it feels a lot less stable and planted. My dad's TL Type-S is just not much fun to drive at high speeds.

[edhchoe]

I have not had any car that was not stable at 90mph. and the r56 is faster than the prev z3 2.5i.... i am loving it.

[Treepusher]

Well, I know I'll get torture--that's a given. At this point, I'm just trying to make sure that I get crucified instead of stretched out on the wheel. I'm hoping that's less painful, but I've heard mixed reviews.

Bad news--the environmentalists complained about all the trees being used to make crosses, so they've stopped crucifixions. And they can't find any experts behind the wheel, so that's out. Rumor has it they tie you in a chair and force you to watch reruns of The Beverly Hillbillies till you go insane.

Once you're insane, they give you back your license and send you on your way.

[ohnoes]

Bad news--the environmentalists complained about all the trees being used to make crosses, so they've stopped crucifixions. And they can't find any experts behind the wheel, so that's out. Rumor has it they tie you in a chair and force you to watch reruns of The Beverly Hillbillies till you go insane.

Once you're insane, they give you back your license and send you on your way.

Sigh, it's a vicious cycle, isn't it? Most likely it's a conspiracy to perpetuate bureaucracy and an overwhelming dependence on the fiduciary and moral authority of government. :( I cannot imagine keeping sane while watching that god-awful show, and the fact that they are willing to let one go free in that permanent state of Beverly Hillbilly-induced insanity is very telling of their motives... they'll just pull one over again--rinse and repeat, more tax revenue, more overwhelmingly underwhelming sitcom torture.

[Sentaruu]

So we're equating driving at high speeds with beating on it? This isn't a Nissan Sentra...

HEY, dont bash a sentra lol. i had one as my first car, it didnt get up to high speeds very fast tho once i got it there it handled pretty well.. those things are like little go-karts....

[325bob]

Not if its designed to be used hard. All potential stresses have to be calculated into the design plus a margin of safety. Some cars last longer and run better when driven hard more often. Some just break, but were talking BMW here.

I said it will last longer if not used hard, even if its designed to be used hard.

[bbancsov]

When i drive fast all the time, the car works like it should. However when i want to conserve gas mileage and drive nice and easy, shit starts breakin, hahah

[Koizumi]

My car loves to be driven.

And she is very very fast.

[TEUTONIC]

Hello all. I was wondering what you guys know about this. Most would agree that it is extremely fun to floor a bimmer and just fly by all the regular traffic. It's addicting even. But to me it seems like there has to be some harm done to a car from this. The roar of the engine the fast increase in rpm. Also increasing the throttle seems like it would put too much pressure on the fuel pump and other things. What do you guys think about this? I realize many people will say something like, I drive this way all the time and my car is fine but I want to know more about the details. Also would the milage of a car effect your answer?


considering they come from Germany and get driven 120, 130,140,150+ for an hour or longer..,, i hardly doubt what you do here in the states is gonna harm them..

[lamarck]

Thanks for all that info guys. And also I just have to mention that slow driving does not always mean safe driving.

[Mike415]

Just get ur baby warmed up first before doing it

[BLUIZE256]

Are you really really sure you want to be hitting 130 in rush hour traffic?Especially in a state where the fines for speeding are now so astronomical, that some offenders are plea-bargaining to be shot instead, calling it a reduced sentence?

lmao

[ohnoes]

Man, I would be so at home in Germany. It was pouring this morning and near-freezing, but with my snow tires the car was absolutely rock-solid. In fact, though visibility was less than 1/2 mile, I hit 100 at least a few times. A 911 Carrera 4S in front of me had its huge (probably 275s?) summer tires on and was going 80; I can only imagine how shitty that must have been, but I passed him and just kept on going.

I'll tell you, these Germans really know how to make a car. Especially BMW. :buttrock

It's just too bad more people don't understand how solid, stable, and capable these cars really are. All too often I see E39s and E46s in the right lanes, doing 65 and being passed by American crap.

[S52wheelspin]

^^ nice! almost 10000 posts of pure bullshit. go you

[ducky328i]

^^ nice! almost 10000 posts of pure bullshit. go you:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lo l:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol: lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol:lol

[ohnoes]

^^ nice! almost 10000 posts of pure bullshit. go you

What are you talking about, noob? :rolleyes

[pckl300]

I think that's recency bias... what about the thousands of kids for this one who've wondered similar things, tried them, and to whom nothing happened?

That's absolutely true. One kid every few months is a pretty good rate considering the masses that receive BMWs for first cars. And like you said, the kids that don't get injured/killed will never make the news...

[RyansBMW]

considering they come from Germany and get driven 120, 130,140,150+ for an hour or longer..,, i hardly doubt what you do here in the states is gonna harm them..

exactly...these cars were designed to be run at autobahn speeds. that includes very fast acceleration and maintaining high speeds for long periods of time.


Thanks for all that info guys. And also I just have to mention that slow driving does not always mean safe driving.

+1 the slow drivers often cause more jams and accidents then the faster drivers do

[tsweers89]

What are you talking about, noob? :rolleyes

haha. This forum makes me laugh sometimes

[S52wheelspin]

What are you talking about, noob? :rolleyes

talking about your 10000 posts of pure bullshit :rolleyes

[ohnoes]

talking about your 10000 posts of pure bullshit :rolleyes


What makes my posts pure bullshit, noob? I've helped out an awful lot of people in answering their questions. Even if you don't agree with my opinions, that's your prerogative, but calling my posts pure bullshit is ignorant, unfounded, and just plain idiotic. Before you make baseless assertions, do some research first. Hint: use the search utility.

[S52wheelspin]

What makes my posts pure bullshit, noob? I've helped out an awful lot of people in answering their questions. Even if you don't agree with my opinions, that's your prerogative, but calling my posts pure bullshit is ignorant, unfounded, and just plain idiotic. Before you make baseless assertions, do some research first. Hint: use the search utility.

go cry to mommy

[ohnoes]

go cry to mommy

Before I completely write you off as a pointless and worthless troll, I'd like to hear if you have some genuine, constructive criticism for what makes my posts worthless. Otherwise, gtfo noob. :alright