Sea level M3 Owners

[nivek311]

As a high altitude e90 owner, I'm always wishing I had my car at the coast when on business trips to CA. I don't want to put the miles on the car just to get to sea level, but I have to imagine that it feels like a whole new car when it can breathe, especially factoring in the estimated 3%-4% loss per 1,000 ft of elevation.

Basically what I'm saying is next time I'm in SoCal I need to have a ride with someone here on the forum, just to see.

[kscarrol]

Come to New Orleans and drive my M3 at 6 feet below sea level... Imagine the power!

[nivek311]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Come to New Orleans and drive my M3 at 6 feet below sea level... Imagine the power!

Deal! At almost 5,000 ft I'm practically driving a V-tec Civic...

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by nivek311

Deal! At almost 5,000 ft I'm practically driving a V-tec Civic...

you need a blower to help with that !

[Nola 32/65]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Come to New Orleans and drive my M3 at 6 feet below sea level... Imagine the power!

Lol, I was going to say something about us being below sea level lol.

[Candide13]

Originally Posted by nivek311

As a high altitude e90 owner, I'm always wishing I had my car at the coast when on business trips to CA. I don't want to put the miles on the car just to get to sea level, but I have to imagine that it feels like a whole new car when it can breathe, especially factoring in the estimated 3%-4% loss per 1,000 ft of elevation.

Basically what I'm saying is next time I'm in SoCal I need to have a ride with someone here on the forum, just to see.

Not sure about this, we live at sea level but on a recent road trip we went up and down 9000 feet and I did not really notice any performance changes, and that was with 4 people and luggage. Of course, climbing steep inclines is always going to feel like you are gasping for air, that's why you can rev higher in our cars

[Flying Ace]

I've driven my M3 in both Colorado/Utah and sea level, difference is not that noticeable

[nivek311]

Originally Posted by Ezio

you need a blower to help with that !

ESS would be amazing. Nearest install shop is in AZ. Or SF.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

I've driven my M3 in both Colorado/Utah and sea level, difference is not that noticeable

your not a serious driver though. if you ever got passed 3000rpm you would be able to tell.

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

What?

Assphinchter says what?

[Flying Ace]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Come to New Orleans and drive my M3 at 6 feet below sea level... Imagine the power!

So when elevation goes negative, you make more than 414hp?

[1MOREMOD]

Originally Posted by Flying Ace

So when elevation goes negative, you make more than 414hp?

Shirley.

[Candide13]

Originally Posted by 1MOREMOD

your not a serious driver though. if you ever got passed 3000rpm you would be able to tell.

Peak performance will suffer, for sure, though given the intricate ECU systems in these cars I would not put too much stock in the various rules of thumb that are out there, plus temperature drops as you climb so that compensates somewhat as well. Point is that even if you loose some 40 horses at peak, under street-legal driving you can compensate for that easily with your right foot and right hand

So I'd say you need to go seriously past 6000 revs before you run out of options or breathing space!

[Amirsm3]

I live at 6800ft and I don't notice much going into Phoenix/Scottsdale (roughly 1000ft in elevation). If the difference is there, it's probably hindered by the 100+ degree temperatures