BMW 2002 FAQ - 2008 328it road trip: the good, the bad, and the RFTs

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Thread Topic: 2008 328it road trip: the good, the bad, and the RFTs

Date: 7-21-08 10:00
From: inkatouring in San Francisco, California

Subject: 2008 328it road trip: the good, the bad, and the RFTs

My daughter went off to sleep-away camp Sunday, so we left S.F. Saturday night (8:30 pm) to take a serious bite out of the 6(!) hour drive to the camp (it is in the Sequoia National Forest, about an hour out of Bakersfield). Since I was "in the neighborhood" I circled to L.A. after dropping her off, checked in on my CSL (which is at CoupeKing get some issues de-issued). Got home at 2:30 am this morning.

The good: The 328it ran great and was a pleasure to drive. Got 30 mpg on I-5 on the way home (averaging about 80 mph) and over 25 mpg on the second fill-up, which included the back roads to the camp, the drive to LA from Bakersfield and driving around LA for two plus hours. And I do not drive slow or for gas mileage. I was impressed. I honestly do not understand how the car can be soooooo fast (same HP as a USA spec e36 M3) and get such good mpg -- I assume it is the valvetronic technology. What ever it is, it is wonderful.

The only flaw with the car was suspension was not a tight as I would have liked on the back roads around the camp/Bakerfield. Beautiful roads there and no one on them! The car handed well on them, but the rear suspension could be a bit tighter.

The bad: Being in the car for about 20 hours in a 30 hour period.

The RFTs: Run Flat Tires really suck IMO. They were fine on the drive but this morning when my wife got back in her car, the RFT sensor light was on ("honey, did you drive home with the tire sensor on?"). There is a slow leak in one of the (according to BMW) non-repairable tires. I hate those things -- why can't BMW just put in a spare tire??????
_________________
“...democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.”

-Winston Churchill

[the faqer formerly known as schnell540]

Date: 7-22-08 09:13
From: gwb72tii in the great PNW

Subject: Re: 2008 328it road trip: the good, the bad, and the RFTs

with the euro/dollar being so bad, the wife and i are planning a trip next year to Quebec City, the oldest walled-in city in North America.
We haven't done a long road trip forever, and I'm looking forward to driving through some great country. The Canadian Rockies in the summer, maybe a little fly-fishing along the way.
Long road trips are fun if you have a good car, which your 328 appears to be. I'm thinking of taking the tii. The motor/fuel injection will be rebuilt and reassembled by then. The only issue would be a 4spd vs 5 spd, but I want the car to be as stock as possible.
I was picturing your road trip as i read your post, as i am familiar with the routes/cities along the way. I'd like to say I miss California, but it was crazy in 1979 when we migrated north.
_________________
gwb72tii

Whenever you find you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.
Mark Twain [Samuel Langhornne Clemens] (1835-1910)

Date: 7-23-08 09:03
From: inkatouring in San Francisco, California

Subject: Re: 2008 328it road trip: the good, the bad, and the RFTs

I hadn't done a long road trip in years -- since I lived up there and drove down here and back a coupe of times -- and it was really fun to be back behind the wheel for a long time. But, my back is aching still, three days later....
_________________
“...democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.”

-Winston Churchill

[the faqer formerly known as schnell540]

Date: 7-23-08 05:44 From: Harv in Willoughby Oh. Subject: Re: 2008 328it road trip: the good, the bad, and the RFTs
I have been wanting a 3 series wagon for a long time now. I'm assuming yours is an e-90. Does it have the sport suspension? John _________________ I suggest you sit down and dedicate a couple of hours to this thread. OOPS! NEW LINK! TRY IT NOW http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=2224141&page=1 #1665778

Date: 7-23-08 09:23
From: inkatouring in San Francisco, California

Subject: Re: 2008 328it road trip: the good, the bad, and the RFTs

Harv wrote:

I'm assuming yours is an e-90. Does it have the sport suspension?

John

Yes and yes. The sport suspension is nice, but not as aggressive as I like. But, the car is a kid-hauler that splits duty between being driven by my wife and me. Not worth the $$ to put some tighter suspension in and then listen to complaints about it being too harsh for the rest of us. The sport seats that come with the sport pack are a must in my book. They fit well but are not too constraining.
_________________
“...democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.”

-Winston Churchill

[the faqer formerly known as schnell540]

Date: 7-24-08 07:12 From: gwb72tii in the great PNW Subject: Re: 2008 328it road trip: the good, the bad, and the RFTs
when i had my 2000 e46 328ci, the only reason i ordered the sport package was for the seats. imho they're just about perfect. surprised you're sore from sitting in them. _________________ gwb72tii Whenever you find you are on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect. Mark Twain [Samuel Langhornne Clemens] (1835-1910)

Date: 7-24-08 07:57
From: inkatouring in San Francisco, California

Subject: Re: 2008 328it road trip: the good, the bad, and the RFTs

gwb72tii wrote:

when i had my 2000 e46 328ci, the only reason i ordered the sport package was for the seats. imho they're just about perfect. surprised you're sore from sitting in them.

I love them, too. I can only imagine that my back would be a lot worse without them. It was sitting in any seat for 20 hours in a 30 hour period that did it. Could have done it at home.
_________________
“...democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried.”

-Winston Churchill

[the faqer formerly known as schnell540]

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