2.2i driving query

[TrevD66]

I have a query for those driving Z3 2.2 manual... at 50mph it’s running at 2600rpm and at 70mph it’s at just over 3500rpm. I’ve had mine for about 3 years and this as it’s always been. Can anyone confirm that this is the same for theirs. My father has a 2.0 manual and at 70mph it’s just under 3000 rpm.
Is it mine or is it 2.2’s?
Thanks in advance.

Trev

 

[Sean d]

I have a query for those driving Z3 2.2 manual... at 50mph it’s running at 2600rpm and at 70mph it’s at just over 3500rpm. I’ve had mine for about 3 years and this as it’s always been. Can anyone confirm that this is the same for theirs. My father has a 2.0 manual and at 70mph it’s just under 3000 rpm.
Is it mine or is it 2.2’s?
Thanks in advance.

Trev

That does seem a bit high, my 2.8 is at 3000rpm at 70mph

 

[the Nefyn cat]

Does sound a bit high, but if you look at this

https://www.realoem.com/bmw/enUS/showparts?id=CN12-EUR-01-2002-Z3-BMW-Z3_22i&diagId=33_0385

there are a few alternatives that may be fitted. Have you tried some form of GPS equipped stuff (sat-nav) to make sure the speedo is reading right? And jacking the car up and turning the propshaft whilst counting the turns on the wheels will give you the diff ratio. Not forgetting some stands, of course.

 

[Bumpa]

The speedo on my 2.2 is incredibly inaccurate compared with a GPS satnav. At a true 70 mph by GPS the speedo reads 79 mph. When I first got the car I couldn't understand why everyone kept rushing by when I was cruising at an indicated 70. I'll check on the rpm next time I use it - assuming the gauges are going to work. Now the weather is cooler they are on strike with the dreaded EEP_2 code much of the time.

 

[TrevD66]

Thanks @the Nefyn cat ..... I haven’t checked the speedo via GPS but have done speed checks against other cars. I will go further and get a GPS speed test and check the diff ratio. As far as I am aware it’s the original diff.
Thanks for your input

 

[TrevD66]

Thank you @Bumpa. Your additional comment re speedo errors and being out by as far as it is.... maybe mine is not correct.... the issue would be worse though.... I’m keeping up with traffic and the speedo reads about the sign posted limit. If indeed it was out and 70 on the GPS was 79 on the speedo as in your case, the tachometer would be reading higher...
The joys

 

[Bumpa]

Trev, I have been out in the Z3 tonight and although the instruments failed to work on first start up, they came on when I restarted after a couple of miles. My car is a 2002 2.2 Sport with manual box and 17" wheels. In fifth gear at a true 70 mph (by GPS, 78-79 on the speedo) my rev counter shows about 3200 rpm. That equates to around 22 mph per 1000 rpm in fifth gear which seems about right to me. The car is definitely low geared and unless you are prepared to let it run round the dial to 5000 and more, you will be out-accelerated by small family cars. The six cylinder motor sounds so good that its no hardship to let it spin!

 

[abh29]

Just checked and mine is reading about 3000rpm at 70mph (on the speedometer)

 

[TrevD66]

Thanks for the replies Gents.... I’ll get hold of a GPS over the weekend and see what speed it actually doing.
At least then I can be more accurate in my speeds and RPM are actually taking place. Does INPA report RPM whilst direct connected?
Thanks for the info... I’ll update when I get more info
Trev

 

[Paul H]

Interesting, so I checked my 2.8

2900 rpm = 70mph.

 

[Lee]

Sounds about right for all the speeds to Rev's. Remember the Diff ratios vary between models so the cruising speed will differ.

The 2.8 has a 3.15 ratio diff so 2900Rpm sounds right.

The 2.2 has a 3.38 ratio diff so I would expect it to be over 3000rpm.

 

[TrevD66]

Thank you @Paul H & @Lee .... I’ll investigate further with a GPS over the weekend.... if this is the norm it’d be a good reason for a 6 speed box

 

[mrscalex]

unless you are prepared to let it run round the dial to 5000 and more, you will be out-accelerated by small family cars

I think that’s the elephant in the room with the smaller engines Z3s. They look like they should be quick but by modern standards they are average. Not sure about small family cars. Most of them are 10 secs plus, certainly 9 sec plus 0-60 and a 2.2 is 7.5 I think? Not sluggish. But most modern BMWs certainly would leave them behind. And the 6 cylinder cars make mincemeat out of them for sure. But that’s okay as I have one of them too

 

[abh29]

I think that’s the elephant in the room with the smaller engines Z3s. They look like they should be quick but by modern standards they are average. Not sure about small family cars. Most of them are 10 secs plus, certainly 9 sec plus 0-60 and a 2.2 is 7.5 I think? Not sluggish. But most modern BMWs certainly would leave them behind. And the 6 cylinder cars make mincemeat out of them for sure. But that’s okay as I have one of them too

As you say , just checked our X1 20i is 0-62mph 7.4 secs and that only a 4 pot

 

[TrevD66]

The acceleration is fine... for me it’s not a “race car” .... just appears to revs it’s box off driving normally. My daily sits at about 2200 rpm at 70 mph .... admittedly it’s an auto diesel 6 speed and 2 years old.

 

[bessieblue]

Yep, would say my 2.2 about the same, that's probably why it uses more fuel. Always thought they needed bigger petrol tanks

 

[Paul H]

No probs. According to the trip computer I was hitting 27.4 mpg.

Best I've ever seen on a long run (did 200 miles)

 

[abh29]

The acceleration is fine... for me it’s not a “race car” .... just appears to revs it’s box off driving normally. My daily sits at about 2200 rpm at 70 mph .... admittedly it’s an auto diesel 6 speed and 2 years old.

just noticed the X1 ( 20i . 8 speed auto) is doing 70 mph at around 1900 rpm.

 

[Philpatton]

So, on a jolly out today in my 2.2 in 5th gear my rpm at 70mph (speedo) was just over 3000, at 50mph (speedo) around 2150.
Hope that helps
P

 

[Mint]

Also on a run out today in my manual 2.2. As the speedo is notoriously inaccurate I've used my TomTom GPS for the speed reference.
All in 5th gear and my results are:
52 MPH - 2,500 RPM
62 MPH - 3,000 RPM
72 MPH - 3,500 RPM

There is a pattern forming here, I guess it would have been 82 MPH at 4,000 RPM.

HTH