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[Stacy1997Z3]

Hello everyone, I have Just purchased a 1997 Z3 roadster. I absolutely love it and have always wanted one. It’s a five speed and it’s been many years since I’ve driven one. With that being said, I have a question. I took it out on the highway and got up to around 70 mph. When I hit around 55 mph I noticed that my RPMs were about 3500. Is this normal?

 

[t-tony]

Hi Stacy, sorry I can't help re the Tacho reading it's been almost 8 years since I had my Z3. Anyway, welcome from me near Lincoln, UK. I suspect, with you saying "Highway" that you may be located in the USA?

Tony.

 

[Stacy1997Z3]

Hi Stacy, sorry I can't help re the Tacho reading it's been almost 8 years since I had my Z3. Anyway, welcome from me near Lincoln, UK. I suspect, with you saying "Highway" that you may be located in the USA?

Tony.

Hi Tony, USA is correct. Tennessee

 

[hard top]

to the Forum.

 

[Mus Musculus]

Hello everyone, I have Just purchased a 1997 Z3 roadster. I absolutely love it and have always wanted one. It’s a five speed and it’s been many years since I’ve driven one. With that being said, I have a question. I took it out on the highway and got up to around 70 mph. When I hit around 55 mph I noticed that my RPMs were about 3500. Is this normal?

Hi and welcome from Cambridgeshire, England.

You don't say what your engine is, but I get something similar with my 1.9 engined Z3.

 

[t-tony]

Hi Tony, USA is correct. Tennessee

Hoping to head to Tennessee in a few weeks after we've been to SC to the BMW Plant at Spartanburg for a visit from our home in Kissimmee, Florida.

Tony.

 

[Stacy1997Z3]

Hi and welcome from Cambridgeshire, England.

You don't say what your engine are, but but I get something similar with my 1.9 engine Z3.

I believe mine is 1.9

 

[Stacy1997Z3]

to the Forum.

Thank you. Glad to be here

 

[OhioZ4]

Welcome from The Buckeye state .

 

[Zephyr]

Hi and welcom

supposing you have a 3.15 final gear ratio and test in fifth gear (which in the Z is 1:1) on stock tyres and wheels thats an approximate caclulation

you can check the results here after you input your data.

Vehicle speed calculator

Use our vehicle speed calculator to calculate the top speed for each gear given the gear ratio, engine speed (RPM) and tyre size.

motoristo.com

different tyres play a role as also final gear ratio (differential).

 

[Ian&Sue]

Hi Stacy, from North Yorkshire. UK.

Sue & Ian.

 

[Broad Ambition]

Hi Stacy and welcome to the Z Club.

I'm new here too (Since December 2022). I have noticed similar mysen (I have the Z3 2:2) at 70mph in fifth the engine rpm is around the 3'200 mark which is too high for my liking but that is as they were designed / built back in the nineties and noughties. Compare that to my Ford Transit Custom van, in sixth at 70mph = 1'800 rpm - Much more acceptable

My Z3 imho is crying out for a sixth gear or a much taller cog five, dropping the RPM's in top gear down by a thousand or so would be great. That would quieten down the engine volume, save on wear and tear and increase mpg no end. For now I'm stuck with it but I have been making enquiries - Ongoing

Griff

 

[t-tony]

A friend said she would appreciate another gear in her 2.8 Z3 for the same reason.

Tony.

 

[Zephyr]

Hi Stacy and welcome to the Z Club.

I'm new here too (Since December 2022). I have noticed similar mysen (I have the Z3 2:2) at 70mph in fifth the engine rpm is around the 3'200 mark which is too high for my liking but that is as they were designed / built back in the nineties and noughties. Compare that to my Ford Transit Custom van, in sixth at 70mph = 1'800 rpm - Much more acceptable

My Z3 imho is crying out for a sixth gear or a much taller cog five, dropping the RPM's in top gear down by a thousand or so would be great. That would quieten down the engine volume, save on wear and tear and increase mpg no end. For now I'm stuck with it but I have been making enquiries - Ongoing

Griff

You can always swap the rear differential (easy) with one that has longer final gear if losing some seconds at 0-60 and 40-80 is not an issue for you.

 

[Broad Ambition]

You can always swap the rear differential (easy) with one that has longer final gear if losing some seconds at 0-60 and 40-80 is not an issue for you.

Thanks - This has been suggested a few times now, and yes it would be an issue as I don't want to lose that low down 'Zip'

Griff

 

[Stacy1997Z3]

Hi Stacy and welcome to the Z Club.

I'm new here too (Since December 2022). I have noticed similar mysen (I have the Z3 2:2) at 70mph in fifth the engine rpm is around the 3'200 mark which is too high for my liking but that is as they were designed / built back in the nineties and noughties. Compare that to my Ford Transit Custom van, in sixth at 70mph = 1'800 rpm - Much more acceptable

My Z3 imho is crying out for a sixth gear or a much taller cog five, dropping the RPM's in top gear down by a thousand or so would be great. That would quieten down the engine volume, save on wear and tear and increase mpg no end. For now I'm stuck with it but I have been making enquiries - Ongoing

Griff

It’s just dying to have that sixth gear

 

[Mint]

Hi Stacy and to the forum from me too in Stafford, England. Same on my 2.2, 70MPH is about 3,500RPM.

 

[Shelly]