Ownership Cost of Z4M vs 3.0si

[jophish17]

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

To go 50K between valve adjustments, you would have to get 75MPG.......

Not sure why this fallacy will not die but valve adjustments on the S54 are not conditioned or mileage based, but based on 'how much fuel is burned' in the engine. 660gallons is the magic number.

That seems rather conservative - I thought it was with inspections (every ~30k miles, to be adjusted for driving habits). 660 gallons at 18 mpg only gets you to ~12k miles

[David70]

Originally Posted by jophish17

That seems rather conservative - I thought it was with inspections (every ~30k miles, to be adjusted for driving habits). 660 gallons at 18 mpg only gets you to ~12k miles

I agree, I have never heard of someone needing it done anywhere close to 12k miles (per the computer). Most seem to be at least double (many more) and double puts it at 36 mpg (24,000 miles/ 660 gallons = 36 mpg)? For the poster above, where did you get the 660 gallons?

[Shipkiller]

The inspection requirements (660gal) has been around since the E46M3 days. The actual value is in liters and is located in the General Module. If you use NCSExpert, look at the coding located in the module, you will see it.

You are also confusing MPG with fuel flow and you are also assuming the sensor is absolutely accurate.

[David70]

Originally Posted by Shipkiller

The inspection requirements (660gal) has been around since the E46M3 days. The actual value is in liters and is located in the General Module. If you use NCSExpert, look at the coding located in the module, you will see it.

You are also confusing MPG with fuel flow and you are also assuming the sensor is absolutely accurate.

No I am trying to convert fuel flow to miles and hoping that the sensor is somewhat accurate. I know my car gets about 20 miles per gallon and if it burns 660 gallons this means the notice should go off about 13,200 miles.

So the computer thinks the engine burned 660 gallons of fuel and when it does it will tell you to adjust the valves. Reality is this probably won't happen until 25k-30k miles and the computer isn't even close to being correct about the 660 gallons burned?

Maybe I am missing something?

From Turner -

BMW recommends valve adjustments every 30k miles on your S54 equipped BMW

http://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-56...3-z3m-z4m.aspx

From ECS -

BMW recommends a valve lash inspection and adjustment at 30,000 mile intervals

http://www.ecstuning.com/News/BMW_E8...006_2007_2008/

[Shipkiller]

Most owners (non-track rats) usually have the inspection one (1) anywhere from 25 to 34K.
While i do not know for sure, i would be willing to bet there is some other algorithms that factor in to this calculation.

[StickMon]

My inspection interval goes to zero after about 24k odometer miles.
The interval ticks down about 3 miles for every 2 on the odometer.
The computer claims I'm getting 18.5 mpg.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by dekaliber

True that, although I don't remember ever finding the 3.0si steering lacking in day to day use (I never tracked that car as I did with the M). As a weekend car or a fun commuter, I doubt any flaws of the EPS system would really become a concern, and I suspect this will not be a significant differentiator for the OP as well.

The difference in steering alone is what made my decision to buy the M. If I could have had the M's steering rack in an si I would have gone with it. The si is a great motor for around town and has excellent power delivery. The electric steering was not my cup of tea(and I was driving an EPS S2000 at the time I test drove the si)