[CobraMarty]

So far at half tank, I have gone 210 miles.

[hassmaschine]

yeah our E91 running on 87 would often match or even beat my 330i. Its best ever was 510 miles on 15 gallons (100% freeway obviously). I never took the 330i on a comparable trip but on shorter ones it would average about 1mpg better.

[CobraMarty]

Just did a trip, more than usual about 500+ miles with more around town miles and 75mph highway cruising. Got 22.5mpg with A/C.

Next week I will be doing a more typical work trip 400 miles, comparable to earlier trips for comparison. Regular fuel, 75mph cruise control(74mph GPS), no A/C.

[rothwem]

Originally Posted by hassmaschine

yeah our E91 running on 87 would often match or even beat my 330i. Its best ever was 510 miles on 15 gallons (100% freeway obviously). I never took the 330i on a comparable trip but on shorter ones it would average about 1mpg better.

Really? My AWD E91 gets pretty awful mileage compared to my previous RWD E90 325i. I used to be able to get ~33mpg on long highway trips with the 325i, but my manual/AWD E91 is lucky to break 30. My other E91, which was auto/AWD hardly ever got over 27.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by rothwem

Really? My AWD E91 gets pretty awful mileage compared to my previous RWD E90 325i. I used to be able to get ~33mpg on long highway trips with the 325i, but my manual/AWD E91 is lucky to break 30. My other E91, which was auto/AWD hardly ever got over 27.

My RWD, auto e91 sits right at 26-28 highway which I thought was pretty decent considering I drive 80+ and it’s a heavy pig with run flat tires set to “comfort mode”, aka low pressure 26psi.

[CaddymanLNL]

i drive probably 70% in town driving, rest highway. my 08 328xi wagon gets 18.5mpg average.

[CobraMarty]

So far for this commute trip-
-drove at 70mph cruise control indicated, 69mph GPS, no A/C
-highest total miles seen was 510 total miles, traveled and left to go
-fuel gauge at 1st tick below 3/4. I did top it off to the brim before I left
-miles driven 173 miles

So far so good. Fixing the VANOS solenoid and intake cam sensor did wonders as well as slowing down to 70mph indicated cruise control (69mph GPS).
In 3 days when I go home and fill up I'll see what it all shows.

[CobraMarty]

Got home and filed up with 87 octane.
363 miles, 13.14 gallons = 27.65mpg at 70mph indicated cruise control, 69gps. No A/C.

Before mileage with the stock size tires and on my old Taurus, total mileage was always about 402 miles. What ever the actual miles traveled really is, I used much less fuel.
If I actually drove 402 miles and 13.14 gallons that = 30.59mpg.

All I really know is that I am using less fuel for the same trip than I was before. That's good. Now to track it over the next month and get a good baseline.

[CobraMarty]

Latest, on 87 octane, 70mph indicated/70gps. saw the most total miles ever 502.
In a couple of days I will make the return trip and check actual mpg.

Bought a new set of tires. BFG Comp 2 sport, (225-60x17-error) actually got 225-50x17 25.9", $472 free shipping, no tax and $75 visa prepaid card thanksgiving deal rebate.
Will probably wait until summer to get mounted and get another 6k out of the set on now.

Started cutting and modifying a spare muffler for PE mod. Will do that soon. Also have a set of mid cat delete pipes to install and ordered a set of aFe catted headers to install also on sale Black Friday Special.

Then maybe the ESS supercharger.

[tlow98]

Wondering why you went 60 series on the aspect ratio? You looking for a softer ride?

[CobraMarty]

Good eye. I had to check the receipt to be sure.

Don't post when tired or busy at work.

Oops, that really made me jump. I bought 225-50-17 25.9" tall, NOT 60 series.

[CobraMarty]

Originally Posted by CobraMarty

Latest, on 87 octane, 70mph indicated/70gps. saw the most total miles ever 502.
In a couple of days I will make the return trip and check actual mpg.

Update- filled it up and got 26.55mpg at 70mph. Good baseline.

Bought a aFe Magnum FORCE Stage-2 PRO 5R Cold Air Intake with carbon lid.
On sale $385 shipped. Gotta love Black Friday deals.
https://afepower.com/afe-power-54-81...-intake-system

They claim 56% increase air flow and +12hp and +16tq.
Currently I am using stock housing with carbon filter delete and aFe dry filter.

I am not so interested in the power increase but want to see if my mileage increases.
When I get it I will install and do some more testing. Sort of my own mileage experiment.

[CobraMarty]

Latest projects-

aFe Magnum FORCE Stage-2 PRO 5R Cold Air Intake with Carbon Lid- came today, that was fast! Maybe install tomorrow (or not, wife's birthday) or the next day. Hopefully a bit more power and more mileage.

Sport Seats- had bought a set of leather sport seats. Today sort of tried to do the install. Pulled both stock seats- manual, heated, and wrote down the wires on the seat and car side. Looked at the sport seats- power, memory, no heat, and they don't have the seat belt latch assembly. Going to have to transfer the seat belt latch from my manual seats to the sport seats. Also have to pull the side skirt panel to bolt on the seat belt end.

Wiring- At first looks complicated and overwhelming. Once I look closer and map out the wires it will be relatively simple.
Passenger seat just needs 2 wires re-pinned in the connector and then it will plug in and work.
Driver seat needs 1 wire re-pinned and 2 wires jumpered connected together (both grounds) and add 2 wires for CAN input for the memory. Will just have to find the 2 CAN wires on the car but I think that there are some by the radio and in the center console and will tap into them in a convenient spot.

[CobraMarty]

Latest 25.29mpg at 75mph half trip and 65 half trip and heater on. This wasn't a good steady state test run.

[CobraMarty]

Today installed the aFe air intake system.

Before you start, read the instructions. Follow the instructions. Don't reuse the stock hardware i.e. map sensor screws. Stock are plastic/sheet metal thread and aFe are inserts and M4 threaded.

First off it is obvious that the aFe air box will flow more air. In addition to the square air intake there are 2 other air intakes about 1"x4". More air into box.

Air box itself is huge. Filter is huge. They could be no bigger.

The filter to TB tube is smooth and larger diameter than stock and larger than the silicone elbow hose. aFe uses a sleeve adapter to make the TB outside diameter bigger.

For the most part easy install. 2 of the air box mounting bolts needed to be longer. Other than that easy.

Started and idled as normal. Seemed to rev a bit faster and with a slightly more 'growl'.

Now to clean up and go for a test ride and then later today commute to work and see if mileage increased.

[hassmaschine]

I bet it sounds awesome. I always thought intakes are where it's at for sound - I never did understand wanting a loud, farty exhaust on a daily driver - especially on what is basically a German Camry.

[rp_07bmw328xi]

While I must appreciate your enthusiasm towards remaking your 2007 328Xi to another level, I am just wondering if it is worth it, unless you are planning to use it for another 10 years (if it goes w/o any issue).
I mean, amount of time, money and dedication towards a used 10 year old Car !!

[CobraMarty]

No it is not worth it, but it sure is fun and keeps me out of the bars and off the streets. Ha.

If you buy the right car, keeping it is a no brainer. Playing with this is still cheaper than new car payments.
Although last night my neighbor brought over his '18 Camero ZL-1. It is a sweet ride. He likes it better than all his past 20 or so vettes including a ZR-1.

[CobraMarty]

Finally changed the oil and filter. I have been using Rotella T6, l like the synthetic and it has a higher detergent level. Ran it for 5k and added 1 quart of ATF for the last 500 miles. Drained and black as hell. Refilled with Mobil 1 5-30 my prefered oil. Seems to start and idle better, smoother, and IDK a bit faster reving.

Just drove my usual commute, 70mph indicated/70gps and got 25.0 mpg. This was in 30-35*F weather and no heat or defroster. Was getting 23-24 with the Rotella T6 at same speed.

My numbers have been all over the place lately. I changed tire diameter which changed things. Also the bad 'winter blend' fuel with up to 10% ethanol which hurts mileage.

Also with the aFe Magnum intake I have noticed better 'intake' sound and more power but mileage seemed to drop 1-2mpg. IDK as it also coincides with the winter fuel.

The aFe has 2 openings on the top of the box in the front about 1x4" each. I guess for more air flow. But I use the front air scoops and I suspect that any 'ram' effect is just flowing out backwards thru these openings. This could account for the drop in mileage. I am going to test for a few more trips to get a good baseline and then cover and block these air box openings and just feed it with the stock front air inlet with the air scoops.

Maybe there is something to these scoops and the slight 'ram air' effect.

Also fixed an annoying exhaust heat shield rattle.
Started adding the ULTRA chassis braces. Still more to add.

[atmosphericM]

Originally Posted by CobraMarty

Will be changing the ash tray to sunglasses tray in forward console.

Can you tell me about this please? EDIT: Never mind, decided to not be lazy and looked it up myself. But I'm glad I checked out this thread because I did not know this was an option, and I was annoyed that I had nowhere to store mine!

And I know you already addressed the video posted here about how wheel spacers supposedly "ruin your car" lol, but yeah.. I don't buy it. BMW themselves offered varying offsets on the exact same car, so surely changing your effective offset can't be so detrimental. I don't care for that Youtube personality/channel. "Engineering Explained.. except we don't really explain anything."

[CobraMarty]

IIRC I got the sunglass tray from ECS. It is a bit of a pain to install but now my sunglasses have a home.

There is also a sunglass mount that goes where the handle above the door goes. That is a weird spot and I would probably knock them off if they were there.

I run spacers on all my cars and Jeeps and have never had an issue. I use concentric and 2" or less. No breakage or worn bearings. Great looks and better handling.

[CobraMarty]

26.18mpg, Most recent trip with Mobil 1 5-30, 70mph cruise control, 35* minimal heat/defroster.