BMW 330 Saloon Sport Top Speed

[Tim330]

Hi
I picked up an MY 2000 model of these on Saturday. Have to say its a much better car than the mk1 vectra gsi it replaced. Having driven over 200 miles now I wonder how fast it would go with the ecu 155 mph limiter removed? Not that I'm going to do that, just curious. Anyone done this? Cheers

[MattOz]

Tim,

I'd suggest that it wouldn't go much quicker than a true 155mph. My 330d will show 160 on the clock, although it's limited to 155. Of course, and indicated 160 is probably nearer 145 - 150 ish. My M3 would show 172 on the clock and that was supposedly limited to 155.

I reckon that the 155 is often more of a soft limit with some BMW's.

Matt

[Tim330]

Thanks Matt. I suspected as much from the way it accelerates once into triple figure speeds (on a track). Probably more a marketing statement than a real limit.

Tim

[Dino D]

I reached an indicated 150 or so and at that speed it was already in the red line so 155 'limiter' is bit of marketing bollox by BMW-the thing runs out revs before any speed limiter kicks in!

Check out this video of one accelarating from standstill, red line in every gear until he tops out. This is a 5sp SMG version but I don't think it makes a differnce on top speed and gearing. He hits the red at 240km/h (150mph)and then stop accelarating at an indicated 260km/h (160mph) but by then is well in the red paint. I wouldn't want to be driving mine well into the red for a long time...

http://video.google.co.uk/videoplay?d

[Tim330]

Yes it has to last me a few years and I want to be able to sell it on. I guess if you were top speed mad you could change the final drive but its not really worth it. Still getting used to rwd, was 1st time in the rain today

[Dino D]

Take it EASY....After having fromt drivers myself for so long I am slowing letting off its leash and only switching TC off when there are no kerbs, oncoming traffic and plenty off run off room. To be honest, the car has been very controllable when you slide but until I have been on a skidpan and know how she will react I 'm preffering to err on the side of caution...these things are too expensive to fix!!

[Zod]

I had aa 330Ci in germany for a while before I got my first M3. I never got it over an indicated 260 and it was most uncomfortable at that speed. I don't believe it has a limiter.

[Tim330]

One other question. I can't figure out how to change the time. I can reset the avg consumption and trip meter by holding the button down on the stick. How do you set the clock? Is the clock on the radio the same as the clock on the dashboard? They read the same at the moment.
Thanks