Mileage with M30 in E30?

[talltorontoguy]

I'm wondering what kind of mileage others are getting with their M30 powered E30s.

Mine is a 5 speed with 3.73 diff. I'm getting about 9.5l per 100kms, or about 25mpg. That's driving it hard. Seems almost too good... :???:

[M3 Ryan]

Is that actual mileage calc'd from your odo to your gas reciept? the OBC isn't going to read accurately...

[BDK]

in my 86 M535i with 3.73LSD and 16" wheels,
I would get 25-27 MPG at 85MPH on the highway all day long,
this was actual calculated and this is with a motor that was always kept tuned...
so that is not out of the question at all....
when I read guys here getting under 20MPG's it makes me wonder what is wrong with their motors...
17" wheels will drop it 2-4 MPG's...

[twothrees]

I'm glad to hear that you guys are getting decent gas mileage. Alot of folks seem to be getting 15-17mpg from their M30's. This was one of the reasons that was swaying me towards going 24v.

But, I took the plunge this week and picked up a 5sp tranny for $225. I have a line on a M30 from '90 735i that I may buy if the price is right.

[E30SPDFRK]

I get around 12-15 around town and 20-25 on the highway. My O2 isn't hooked up though.
I drive like an ass.

[ghonarea318i]

I get around 12-15 around town and 20-25 on the highway. My O2 isn't hooked up though.
I drive like an ass.

yup same here

[Funkmasta]

I got nearly 30mpg on the highway when I had my basketweaves (70-80mph, 3.46 diff).

When I put my 16s on it, my mileage magically dropped to around 18 on the highway. Around town economy is sabotaged by a heavy right foot.

[mutty]

Not wanting to hijack the thread but what kind of power these cars put down [whp/wtq] versus s50/52 swaps? Just curious.

[Funkmasta]

generally, the S50/52 cars will win in the hp department, but the M30 cars will dominate in the torque department.

Here is an M30 dyno chart I found via google

[BDK]

yep,

the saying goes,
they sell you with HP but you drive with TQ...
meaning, high HP sounds good but high TQ feels better and gets you there quicker...
no money shift worries either...
M30, built like a tank and bullet proof as long as you change the oil and adjust the valves...

[kronus]

So, why does mileage drop that much with larger wheels vs. stock 14s? Larger rotating mass? IIRC, a 17" Kopi weighs only about 6-10 pounds more than a bottlecap, with tires on.

[Funkmasta]

So, why does mileage drop that much with larger wheels vs. stock 14s? Larger rotating mass? IIRC, a 17" Kopi weighs only about 6-10 pounds more than a bottlecap, with tires on.

It looks so good that you drive it harder. :P jk

[E30SPDFRK]

Not wanting to hijack the thread but what kind of power these cars put down [whp/wtq] versus s50/52 swaps? Just curious.

I just put down 182hp and 187tq 2 weekends ago. Bone stock engine.

generally, the S50/52 cars will win in the hp department, but the M30 cars will dominate in the torque department.

Here is an M30 dyno chart I found via google

Something is wrong with that car, lol. Looks like a diesel m30 graph.

[mutty]

wtq is a win for me. Less rpm/shifts to get you where your going and to pass the guy on your right.

[euroshark]

I would guess that the mileage should be pretty decent if it's driven fairly calmly. I once got like 30mpg in my 533i with three other people in the car climbing through the rockies and even over Vail pass (10,600+ feet)!