is this normal @low rpm?

[Dreamz]

Originally Posted by raywong

I just want to clarify. I don't have an obsession to drive at 1500-2000rpm. But in real life situations like traffic jam, or slowing down for stop sign, going over speed bump... who would actually shift down to 1st gear every single time. It really feels like misfiring, and I want to know if anyone else getting that.

If you don't want to shift into 1st, then what about 2nd? I wouldn't be in 3rd gear at 1500 rpm

Originally Posted by Nelrock

+1
The closer you get to stall speed, the more sluggish it's going to get. The whole point of having gears is so you can use one appropriate to the speed you're at.
There's nothing wrong with the car, there's something wrong with the driver. Quit being lazy...shift your gears!

+1

[Apolonios]

I only notice what you're describing if I'm using a gear that's too high for the situation. Like you mentioned slowly going up a hill in 4th or engaging 3rd slower than 10mph.

However for reference I'm able to use 2nd gear and any speed higher than 5mph and 3rd at any speed higher than 12-15mph which would be around 1500 RPM if I'm in a flat surface and I'm already moving when I engage the clutch. I don't normally do this though and If I try to take off it will jerk until the speed and RPMs climb enough.

I'll only use this style of driving I'm in a parking lot or on very slow traffic on a flat road and I'll usually avoid stopping. That is if the car in front of me starts to speed up and I know he'll just have to stop later I just cruise very slowly, that way I'll avoid having to stop completely the next time he stops.

[apecush]

Originally Posted by abehwang

and what is your fuel economy going 2500rpm?

I haven't quantified anything yet. I do notice that my DTE will increase when cruising around 2500, while it will decrease at 2000 rpm at the same speed (in different gears, obviously).

[abehwang]

Originally Posted by apecush

I haven't quantified anything yet. I do notice that my DTE will increase when cruising around 2500, while it will decrease at 2000 rpm at the same speed (in different gears, obviously).

DTE?

[klammer]

It's normal. Drive it like a racecar not a musclecar and you'll be good

[Dreamz]

Originally Posted by abehwang

DTE?

Distance Til Empty

[abehwang]

Originally Posted by Dreamz

Distance Til Empty

hmm i'll cruise around city at 2500 and see if I get a difference in mileage

[Prince_of_Persia]

Originally Posted by apecush

You must love wasting fuel.

I have zero issues cruising around town at 2000 rpm. Best fuel economy generally happens around 2500 though.

I dont like the feel of the engine when it is lower than 3k rpm. It feels like it doesnt have so much power, so i usually change grea in 3000-3500 rpm range while cruising.

[Avly]

Apolonios describes the circumstances where the RPM would be as low as 2k.

Prince of Persia is spot on about driving the car. Though I'll upshift between 3k-5k.

Is this thread supposed to be a joke? Until I read this thread the concept or even the possibility of driving a M3 at 2k rpm or lower never even occurred to me. A M3 is near stalling at such low speeds, and what the hell is the point of buying a M3 and then cruising at 2k rpm .....

[dexx]

It doesn't have as much torque as it could have but the engine does fine all the way down to idle. I feel no "hesitation" just less torque. There's no damn point of a higher ratio if you cruising on a straight road 35-55 mph, just wasting fuel and engine life. Certain roads I put it in 6th at 40-45 and cruise control, end up in the high 20's for mpg.

Corvettes cruise on the highway at like 1500 RPM. This is simply not a problem. We'd probably get mid-20's MPG at cruise at highway speeds if we had a taller top gear.

If you think oiling is a problem, think about the auto-start stop system. Someone with a oil pressure gauge can confirm.

[dexx]

Originally Posted by Avly

A A M3 is near stalling at such low speeds, and what the hell is the point of buying a M3 and then cruising at 2k rpm .....

Is not stalling... In stop and go traffic I might not even use the gas pedal, just 1st 2nd and clutch. Plenty of torque, not close to stalling.

[Peahi]

Originally Posted by raywong

it is not lugging in my case. if you want to know how lugging feels, go uphill @1300rpm on 4th gear. you will know when you feel the vibration and the shuddering.

Quit torturing your car man!

[raywong]

Originally Posted by username11

I actually tried it

At first I was all set to pile on like everybody else. However coming home today I found myself eating a delicious peanut butter cookie and in traffic not really wanting to shift. From a rolling start in 3rd I pulled from 1000rpm up as traffic cleared. I didn't floor it though, but who floors their car in a gear that's too high?

The car accelerated very smoothly without issue, definitely the a) scenario. If it happens with proper accelerator modulation (not flooring it), then you should get it looked at.

Thanks! this is the answer I am looking for. There is still one or 2 slight knocking at lower throttle position, but at 80%+ throttle I can feel the engine jumping up and down.

[M4Now!]

Not smooth - I floored it in 3rd from 1,500 rpm, and the engine wasn't happy until it cleared 2,000 rpm. After that it accelerated smoothly.

Note that it didn't shudder to the point of making me concerned, it was simply having a hard time. And BTW, as others have mentioned: I'd never noticed this before because I never drive this way. This engine is meant for higher rpm.

Cheers

[raywong]

Originally Posted by M3Now!

Not smooth - I floored it in 3rd from 1,500 rpm, and the engine wasn't happy until it cleared 2,000 rpm. After that it accelerated smoothly.

Note that it didn't shudder to the point of making me concerned, it was simply having a hard time. And BTW, as others have mentioned: I'd never noticed this before because I never drive this way. This engine is meant for higher rpm.

Cheers

thanks! did you get any random knocking at all?
believe me guys, I don't normally drive at 1500rpm at all, just trying to diagnose. The mechanic had replace the worn spark plugs when I discover this problem, it went away for 2 month and it is coming back now. could it be the spark plug again? maybe the coil pack? what is wearing out my spark plugs?

[r53s65e90]

Dct won't let you go from 2nd into 3rd when below 2k. And dct 3rd is even shorter than mt 3rd. So if I had a 6mt I would not accelerate from 1500rpm in 3rd if I could avoid it. Coasting/cruising is ok. Just a data point.

To the OP: go to the dealer and test drive an m3 and do the same stuff. If it behaves better than yours, then have the dealer fix it. This is the only way you will get your definite answer.

[Edjay]

Originally Posted by raywong

thanks! did you get any random knocking at all?
believe me guys, I don't normally drive at 1500rpm at all, just trying to diagnose. The mechanic had replace the worn spark plugs when I discover this problem, it went away for 2 month and it is coming back now. could it be the spark plug again? maybe the coil pack? what is wearing out my spark plugs?

Your driving habits is more than likelly ruining the plugs. Just think of all the stress Your putting on that motor with all the knocking. Your bearings, rings and pistons are all taking a beating. At the end of the day dont take the internets word. Take it to a shop bmw speacialist, getbyour answer and stop driving that way.

I dont normaly bang my fingers with a hammer, but when I do it hurts really bad. Should I go see the doctor why my fingers hurt? Can anyone online try it for me to see if it will hurt your finger too?

Ok im just messng now sorry

[bruce.augenstein@comcast.]

Originally Posted by Edjay

Your driving habits is more than likelly ruining the plugs. Just think of all the stress Your putting on that motor with all the knocking. Your bearings, rings and pistons are all taking a beating...

Unless the knock sensor scheme is completely kaput, there's no detonation going on. If knock sensing is kaput, there'd be a check engine light.

Just how does flooring it at 1500 rpm put stress on the engine, and how does it ruin plugs?

To put it another way, just how does lugging actually hurt an engine?

Bruce

[raywong]

Originally Posted by Edjay

Your driving habits is more than likelly ruining the plugs. Just think of all the stress Your putting on that motor with all the knocking. Your bearings, rings and pistons are all taking a beating. At the end of the day dont take the internets word. Take it to a shop bmw speacialist, getbyour answer and stop driving that way.

I dont normaly bang my fingers with a hammer, but when I do it hurts really bad. Should I go see the doctor why my fingers hurt? Can anyone online try it for me to see if it will hurt your finger too?

Ok im just messng now sorry

I know what you mean man... but I don't think your M3 will break down after 1 or 2 times accelerate from low rpm. I don't intentionally try to drive at 1500 rpm. I only try to replicate it to show the mechanic. and we try it on various different car, none have the same knocking.

I am not a mechanic but I understand the basic of car. sometimes I have to trust my own instinct despite what everyone tells you otherwise.

example 1:
1973 Ferrari Dino 246GTS, misfiring and jerking at full throttle low rpm condition.
Mechanic A: "it is normal for any Carburetor engine, just avoid those rpm..."
conclusion: after numerous garage visit and forum discussion, I forced the mechanic to adjust the gaping of the ignition points and adjust the jets, the problem went away completely.

example 2:
1999 F360, engine idling drop down to 600 rpm momentarily, for 3 years.
Official Dealer: "it is normal, it is not stalling so why fix it?"
conclusion: one F-Chat forum member was obsessed with the same problem, he replaced O2 sensor, MAF sensor, secondary idling injector pump... and finally... it was a rusty grounding point. his founding made many 360 owners aware of this problem.

I still have those 2 old cars, along with a 993GT2. If I wanted to I could floor the throttle @1000rpm and not getting any knocking.
I haven't try another M3, I am waiting for a friend who has one.

[Edjay]

Your computer will only retard timing so much before it quits trying. If its going to knock and beyond the capability of the knock sensor, dme. Then it will pre detonate, knock. Pre detonation does enigine damage, it can pit pistons, break ring lands, wear bearings pre maturely. Sure SES light should soon follow. But we dont know how bad this guys knock is. Thats why i say take it to the shop.

Look im gonna try and do you a favor. If the wife doesnt take the car before I wake up, I will try this one time only, and try to recored it. We ll see what happens.

[raywong]

Originally Posted by Edjay

Your computer will only retard timing so much before it quits trying. If its going to knock and beyond the capability of the knock sensor, dme. Then it will pre detonate, knock. Pre detonation does enigine damage, it can pit pistons, break ring lands, wear bearings pre maturely. Sure SES light should soon follow. But we dont know how bad this guys knock is. Thats why i say take it to the shop.

Look im gonna try and do you a favor. If the wife doesnt take the car before I wake up, I will try this one time only, and try to recored it. We ll see what happens.

thanks! I really appreciate it.

[M4Now!]

Originally Posted by raywong

thanks! did you get any random knocking at all?
believe me guys, I don't normally drive at 1500rpm at all, just trying to diagnose. The mechanic had replace the worn spark plugs when I discover this problem, it went away for 2 month and it is coming back now. could it be the spark plug again? maybe the coil pack? what is wearing out my spark plugs?

No knocking.