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BMW 3-Series 2005 and earlier
30250 messages, Last post on Mar 24, 2013 at 11:51 AM
You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum.What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Sedan
#12753 of 30250 Badger11 by badger11
Jan 06, 2002 (3:56 pm)
I need your help.I bought a 1994 325 in May. 2 months ago it would not start. A specialty BMW garage (not a dealer) said "the spark plugs were flooded" and wondered if the car had received the BMW factory replacement chip. I did not know. They replaced the plugs with "hotter running plugs and hoped that would solve the problem as the factory-paid program has expired". The problem has now reoccurred (plugs smell strongly of gas and look wet). I am no mechanic but suspect that this chip is essentially an "electronic choke" that is feeding too much gas when engine is cold. The problem only started to occur in October (I live in Illinois) when weather turned colder. Any one know of that factory program? Was it a recall or a technical service letter/program in response to some problems? If factory admits to a design flaw, then I presume I should still be covered. ANY details would be much appreciated. Overall gas mileage is fine (about 26 mpg) so I suspect the problem is just when engine is being started when cold.
#12754 of 30250 riez by div2
Jan 06, 2002 (4:57 pm)
Well, you can't correct for EVERYTHING, but there are fairly standard temperature and barometric correction factors which can be used to adjust the acceleration numbers.#12755 of 30250 Corrected Numbers by riez
Jan 06, 2002 (5:16 pm)
div2... Are you saying the major car magazines are publishing only the "corrected" numbers? Can't say I've ever seen any. Seems like they have always published the actual numbers they have achieved, the average of their actual test runs, unadjusted. If you have seen some recent "corected" numbers, please point me to a recent issue of C&D, MT, or R&T.#12756 of 30250 Question for any "expert like so many others on this board" by brave1heart
Jan 06, 2002 (8:33 pm)
What are these "fairly standard temperature and barometric correction factors which can be used to adjust the acceleration numbers"? And if you can explain these, can you also tell us what black holes really are and whether they are caused by warped time zones.Sincerely funny
humble1heart
P.S. Do cars equipped with all-season and summer tires end up in a black hole during the winter? Barkeep, it's snowing out - pour me another drink and make that a double scotch.
#12757 of 30250 riez and brave1heart by div2
Jan 06, 2002 (8:51 pm)
I'm sorry that you are unfamiliar with this concept. I suggest that you examine the "Road Test Digest" found on page 138 of the 12/01 CD. The small print states that all performance figures are "corrected to standard atmospheric conditions". I'm surprised brave, I was certain that it was you who wrote:"Everything I Know About Cars I Learned From Reading Car and Driver".#12758 of 30250 Test Results by riez
Jan 06, 2002 (9:04 pm)
div2...Motor Trends' "Road Test Results", 11/01 appears to have no qualifying language.
Road & Track's "Road Test Summary", 1/02, has the following qualifying information: "Factors that affect test numbers include air temperature, barometric pressure, condition of track surface, tune of test car... Acceleration numbers are obtained using drop-clutch starts and lift throttle shifts." R&T is then kind enough to discuss what is a "significant difference": "the amount of difference that is meaningful". For example, .3 seconds 0-60 is considered such a difference.
Think R&T's qualifying language points out the plethora of variables, many that cannot be controlled for, that can significantly influence test results.
#12759 of 30250 riez by div2
Jan 06, 2002 (9:25 pm)
I'm truly sorry that you are having such difficulty grasping a relatively mundane concept, so I'll state this as simply as I know how: I have never said that it is possible to adjust every test result for every possible condition. That said, there are standardized correction factors for temperature, barometric pressure, and some claim to adjust for RH. Even with these adjustments performed there can and will be differences in test results due to track conditions, driving technique, and vehicle to vehicle variation. Got it?#12760 of 30250 Hello - by brave1heart
Jan 06, 2002 (9:43 pm)
This is brave1heart's wife. Brave1heat has been banned from this board from the foreseeable future. The only "standard atmospheric conditions" he will be learning about in the next few months are those related to infants. Quit 'ya quibbling, kids, there's a lot more to life than weather and black holes... Oh, and one more thing - 2 of brave1heart's car magazine subscription rights will now be revoked and he will be reduced to 1 page of C&D for every diaper he's changed. And that's if he behaves!! After all, he keeps saying every day that everything he learned about cars he learned from reading Car and Driver. C'est la vie...P.S.
He must have said something interesting if you can find and paste his quotes from last Spring. I will allow him to take le Schtroumpf out during his paternity leave if it's not snowing :o)
#12761 of 30250 This is from the real brave1heart - by brave1heart
Jan 06, 2002 (9:46 pm)
See what you guys did - I am in serious trouble here.. And above all...aaaaahhhh, OK, I'm banned from the board too now...Guess I'll go read Calvin and Hobbes instead.#12762 of 30250 Bottom line by twoof1
Jan 06, 2002 (9:58 pm)
If you have not read the C&D comparo in the current (Feb '02) issue, I suggest you do. It compares the 330i against the following: Audi A4 3.0 Quattro, Cadillac CTS, Jaguar X-type 3.0, Lexus IS300 (stick), Lincoln LS V6, Saab 9-3 Viggen.C&D knew they were going to catch some flack for again rating the 3 series as the best sport sedan in the world, yet they stuck to their guns and voted for the best.
Many of the other cars had several high points. Only one car rose to the top. The best line in the entire review was the closing line.
"But when the brakes cooled, there was one clear choice. Live with it."
I do not buy a car because some auto rag said it was the best, but it is reassuring to know that virtually every car mag in the world has rated the 3 series the best sport sedan in the world.
Enjoy what you have for we are indeed fortunate....
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