[Biffa66]

went to Yorkshire region Porsche day today at Lotherton Hall near Leeds. Not a bad day out and kind of made me miss the club days.
It's about a 90 mile each way journey for me and as I'm still running it in thought I'd try Eco plus mode. Cruise control set around 78 mph and returned 42 mpg each way. Very pleased with that!!
Noticed the temperature gauge consistently ran below the 120 mark. I'm so used to seeing a temp needle point straight up that it looked a little odd for it to be left of centre. Do other 340i drivers noticed the same?
On a plus side I'm about half way through the running in period!!:

[stefan4]

re : temperature - yes. re : mpg - the 40i is fantastically economical at constant speed.

[Chris330]

Originally Posted by Biffa66

went to Yorkshire region Porsche day today at Lotherton Hall near Leeds. Not a bad day out and kind of made me miss the club days.
It's about a 90 mile each way journey for me and as I'm still running it in thought I'd try Eco plus mode. Cruise control set around 78 mph and returned 42 mpg each way. Very pleased with that!!
Noticed the temperature gauge consistently ran below the 120 mark. I'm so used to seeing a temp needle point straight up that it looked a little odd for it to be left of centre. Do other 340i drivers noticed the same?
On a plus side I'm about half way through the running in period!!:

Doing 31 mpg at 1.5k miles and never used Eco Pro and 75% in Sport. Unbelievable performance for a 3.0l petrol IMHO

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Biffa66

...It's about a 90 mile each way journey for me and as I'm still running it in thought I'd try Eco plus mode. Cruise control set around 78 mph and returned 42 mpg each way. Very pleased with that!!
Noticed the temperature gauge consistently ran below the 120 mark. I'm so used to seeing a temp needle point straight up that it looked a little odd for it to be left of centre. Do other 340i drivers noticed the same?
On a plus side I'm about half way through the running in period!!:

The petrol engines typically run lower than the 120C mid point. I've never seen my N55 engine above about 115C. (Typically 105 - 110C). I'm not surprised the B58 is the same. Temperature management is more complex than the average engine, plenty of capacity for harder use.

[Mr Burt]

Temperature - left of center which really messes with my head.
MPG - not run in yet 800 miles only. Went from home to Cornwall last Friday. 250m fully loaded, Motorway and A roads, no faster than 78, 40.1 mpg. Happy with that but not a major issue for me, I had the car for the performance, smoothness and sound.
Every journey is an event in this car. Every journey makes me smile, every press of the starter button shouts engineering quality and power.
I've called mine 'Hector' it is a hero with the beating heart of a warrior

[225]

Yep temp is always less than half of centre. I have given up looking at mpg and at 3k miles in all I know is I am going to the garage to fill up slightly less than I was. I could easily go even less but it's so addictive having the rev counter go all the way to 7k odd revs I can't help it.

I normally am in 3rd going round abouts and then pressing on as it's sufficient to make fast progress and so sometimes forget how savage the 340 is when being floored in 1st and 2nd. The 4.7sec to 60 via mlaptimer confirms it (not sure quite how accurate it is mind) which for a rwd estate is non too shabby.

Still a very happy camper!

[stefan4]

Originally Posted by 225

Yep temp is always less than half of centre. I have given up looking at mpg and at 3k miles in all I know is I am going to the garage to fill up slightly less than I was. I could easily go even less but it's so addictive having the rev counter go all the way to 7k odd revs I can't help it.

I normally am in 3rd going round abouts and then pressing on as it's sufficient to make fast progress and so sometimes forget how savage the 340 is when being floored in 1st and 2nd. The 4.7sec to 60 via mlaptimer confirms it (not sure quite how accurate it is mind) which for a rwd estate is non too shabby.

Still a very happy camper!

just got back into mine after a 2 week holiday - it's awesome, a little giggle as I booted it for the first time - it's a quick machine for sure

[Biffa66]

Engine starting to loosen up a little and definitely sounding better with each trip!
There is however an annoying squeak from the rear that I've been unable to track down, and it's not my son!!

[Rukka]

Temp gauge the same on mine. I was curious as I expected it to be straight up.

MPG hovering around 30 but I've only been poor long round town and it's only got 130 miles on it yet

[RobUK]

Same here re: temp.

7,500 miles in and my overall average is 34.0mpg, best for a tankful being 37.5 and worst was 30.76 according to Fuelly.

[JustChris]

340i can't be much fun to drive....all I see are mpg threads...?




MPG really is getting very very good on BMW 3L petrols though. I was pleasantly surprised on the M4 even. Just do a Porsche though and give us the option to put a bigger tank on the car!

[dopper99]

I noticed the temp gauge being around the same as described on my M3 and flagged up the same on the F80post forum.

Seems its normal and different to a diesel.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by dopper99

I noticed the temp gauge being around the same as described on my M3 and flagged up the same on the F80post forum.

Seems its normal and different to a diesel.

Yes, the diesel's cooling is by a simple mechanical thermostat and mechanically driven water pump, so ECT is more constant (~90C) and this reflects in the oil temperature as well. (~100C).

Petrol engines are running different ECT, according to load. Economy (light loads) runs a higher coolant temperature, reduced as higher engine loads are used. This also has a bigger influence on the oil temperature range, hence running oil up to 150C (although appearing high) is still in the normal working range.

In the UK, with our ambient temperatures and typical road driving conditions, there is plenty of oil cooling capacity. We don't normally see oil temperatures reaching the mid (120C) mark. We appear to be at the lower end of oil temperature most of the time, running not much more than the ECT, if at all.

In hot climates many of the petrol models have added oil cooling capacity, to keep the oil temperature down in the normal range.

[Grant_7]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Yes, the diesel's cooling is by a simple mechanical thermostat and mechanically driven water pump, so ECT is more constant (~90C) and this reflects in the oil temperature as well. (~100C).

Petrol engines are running different ECT, according to load. Economy (light loads) runs a higher coolant temperature, reduced as higher engine loads are used. This also has a bigger influence on the oil temperature range, hence running oil up to 150C (although appearing high) is still in the normal working range.

In the UK, with our ambient temperatures and typical road driving conditions, there is plenty of oil cooling capacity. We don't normally see oil temperatures reaching the mid (120C) mark. We appear to be at the lower end of oil temperature most of the time, running not much more than the ECT, if at all.

In hot climates many of the petrol models have added oil cooling capacity, to keep the oil temperature down in the normal range.

Interesting post

Would it therefore be safe to assume that, in order to burn off all those nasty combustion by-products, a good sound thrashing to increase oil temp could be considered preventative maintenance?

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Grant_7

Interesting post

Would it therefore be safe to assume that, in order to burn off all those nasty combustion by-products, a good sound thrashing to increase oil temp could be considered preventative maintenance?

Ah, an Italian tune-up.

I recall the content of the User Manual my father had with his first BMW, a New Class 2000 Sedan. There was a section on 'driving notes' which included a description of how to "stretch your engine", by using lower gears and extending the rpm.

[Biffa66]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

Ah, an Italian tune-up.

I recall the content of the User Manual my father had with his first BMW, a New Class 2000 Sedan. There was a section on 'driving notes' which included a description of how to "stretch your engine", by using lower gears and extending the rpm.

I'm sure my dad used the same excuse on his 2500's. God I loved those cars.

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by Biffa66

I'm sure my dad used the same excuse on his 2500's. God I loved those cars.

The E3 2500? My dad had one, white with BBS wheels, looked really smart in its time. Then he moved to E23 7-series.

[Biffa66]

Originally Posted by HighlandPete

The E3 2500? My dad had one, white with BBS wheels, looked really smart in its time. Then he moved to E23 7-series.

Yep, that's the one. We had a silver one with a Tudor Webasto sunroof - loved that as a kid, and a blue one.
Always wanted the 3000 but never got there.

[SpaceHorsey]

Originally Posted by JustChris

340i can't be much fun to drive....all I see are mpg threads

I'm getting 18 mpg

And I really miss my old e39 M5. (Which used to get about 12)

[JustChris]

Originally Posted by SpaceHorsey

I'm getting 18 mpg

And I really miss my old e39 M5. (Which used to get about 12)

That's the spirit, I salute you sir.