What's your RPM at motorway cruising speed?

[MitchT]

My OH's BMW 120d (2005/163PS) is hovering just below 2,000rpm at 80mph, while my 1999 318is is nearer 4,000rpm. I'm starting to think about a 320d coupe (a couple of years old (2008/177PS) probably) and was wondering what sort of refinement I can expect at motorway cruising speed. I've become curious as to the 'rpm at 80mph' that's achievable across the BMW range. What's yours?

[furball330i]

At 80 I think mine is around 2800-3000, been a while since I drove that fast!

[MitchT]

furball330i said:

At 80 I think mine is around 2800-3000, been a while since I drove that fast!

What car? I'm guessing a 330i from your username? Which generation?

Note to all respondents: Please post model and 'E' number. Thanks

Edited by MitchT on Thursday 12th August 09:16

[anonymous-user]

Drove my old E24 the weekend after a year long restoration, actually noticed it was 2000 rpm at 80, which amazed me for an auto, but would explain why the engine didn't need to be touched at 140000 miles.
Rpm per mph have gone down dramatically my old Elan sprint and my midget did 16 Mph per 1000 rpm, so 90 was 5000, I remember driving a 1500 Maestro in the early 80's that did 25 mph per 1000 and that was considered very high at the time, my Lotus Sunbeam did 21 mph per 1000 with the overdrive box.

[Carl_Spackler]

I've an E91 320d 177bhp, and in about a half an hour I'll be heading up the motorway..ahhem, private track, I'll report back in a few hrs after my meeting.

[MitchT]

Carl_Spackler said:

I've an E91 320d 177bhp, and in about a half an hour I'll be heading up the motorway..ahhem, private track, I'll report back in a few hrs after my meeting.

Excellent!

[furball330i]

Sorry! It's an 2001 e46 330i sport

[Carl_Spackler]

MitchT said:

Carl_Spackler said:

I've an E91 320d 177bhp, and in about a half an hour I'll be heading up the motorway..ahhem, private track, I'll report back in a few hrs after my meeting.

Excellent!

2200 rpm at 80, and about 1900rpm at 70mph.

[MitchT]

Carl_Spackler said:

MitchT said:

Carl_Spackler said:

I've an E91 320d 177bhp, and in about a half an hour I'll be heading up the motorway..ahhem, private track, I'll report back in a few hrs after my meeting.

Excellent!

2200 rpm at 80, and about 1900rpm at 70mph.

Cheers

[Tango13]

60mph @ 2000rpm, red line is at 6500rpm

Edited by Tango13 on Thursday 12th August 17:03

[Patrick Bateman]

320td a touch under 2000rpm at 70.

[Acheron]

2500-3000

2002 318i touring.

[Mr_Yogi]

2000 E46 330i Touring: just under 3000rpm @ 70mph

[barry2711]

e36 328i sport
2750 at 70 mph

[rich85uk]

well mines exactly 3000rpm at 90mph so im guessing around 2500rpm at 80mph

6 speed e46 330ci

[TheEnd]

You'd need to find the tyres sizes but -

http://www.endtuning.com/gearratios.html

Hit the load button to put the ratios in, then you can set a cruising speed, and it'll tell you what RPM the engine will be at.

[foilist]

e24 M635: I usually sit at 3000rpm, which is just below 80mph, so the speed cameras won't bother me....

[rassi]

E39 M5: 100 mph correlates to 3500 rpm (normal cruising speed on Belgian/French motorways)

[Welshbeef]

70mph=1,750rpm or at 80mph= 2000rpm

red line being 5000rpm so if you had the power to pull to the red line that would be 200mph.. At the 160mph speed limiter your pulling 4,000rpm with 1k left in the bank.
I can see how chipped x35ds are able to get up to mid 180smph

[Max M4X WW]

No idea, But not a lot I'd expect.

Will post after going to Gaydon tomorrow, E39 540i Auto.