What E34 gets best gas mileage?

[jplacson]

Ok... just wanted to verify, cuz I've never had tire pressure that high before... nor did I ever have higher psi in one set over the other. Just checking. Thanks!

[TheGeak]

low profile tires want high pressure since they have stiffer sidewalls and less "bounce room" than your average thick walled tire. I'm no expert on this, so definatly don't take my word for the gospel, but i've heard that higher psi in the front usually equates to better handling.

What 18" rim are you running?

[jplacson]

They came with the car. They are replica BMW style 95 wheels. Wheels are pretty expensive here in the Phil, so replica or not, I don't really plan to change them anytime soon. I'm using Dunlops though (also came with the car), and I've heard they aren't that great in handling or road noise... so once they've worn out (maybe in a year or two) I intend to switch to either Continentals or Michelins (I'm really eyeing their new ZP line found on the new 5-series)

Hmmm... I might go back to what BMW placed in my tires to begin with... 41 front, 36 rear. I mean, they should know better than me right? I just was a bit freaked since most NORMAL tires don't go over 36psi. Oh well... learn something new everyday! And with this being MY first Bimmer, I'm learning a lot of things that are done differently over Japanese cars.

[TheGeak]

i know some people that have run 48psi in their's all around (don't know WHY, but they did) and didn't have any problems.

I'd check tirewalls first and see what the TIRE recomends. Normally the tire company knows even better than a car manufacturer!

[jplacson]

well, it only says the max psi which is about 50++ psi.

[Warren N.CA]

just curious
-James
89 525i 285k miles

[TheGeak]

M5? 54ia?

huh?!

[Warren N.CA]

in Montgomery, AL, in 1968. I asked the salesman what the gas mileage was and he replied:

"If you have to ask, you cain't affohd it."

just curious
-James
89 525i 285k miles

[jplacson]

Perfect example of environmental irresponsibility. Just cuz you can afford a truck of gas a day, doesn't mean you should burn it all. That's just plain stupid.

BMW engineers are concerned with fuel economy, that's why they have those consumption gauges. The whole point is to get the most horsepower per liter of displacement... not the LEAST.

In the Philippines, we're flooded with Ford Expeditions (that probably didn't sell well in the US) ... 5 liter V8 engines... in a country that has traffic so bad, it take 30-45 mins just to travel about 10 miles on a regular day.

I'd be willing to a buy a Hydrogen upgrade for my E34 if even BMW comes up with one.... or for the short term, one of their new diesel engines found on the new 5-series!!! 0-60mph (0-100kph) in 8 sec, top speed of 150mph (250kph) electronically limited. All from a dead silent diesel engine, that hits peak torque at 2000rpm! All of that without sacrificing diesel economy!!!! ... I'd love to have those new 530d engines in my E34!!!!!!

[shoptb]

I get 22 city / 29 highway with my 530iA (Alusil).