Speed!

Discussions on better road driving, advanced courses and the like
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MrsMozart
Joined: Fri 14 Mar, 2008 22:23
Posts: 73

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Speed!

Post by MrsMozart »

If I were to take my 1.9 '98 Roadster onto an Autobahn, what top speed should I be limiting myself to (in optimum conditions, etc)? Should it be lower with the soft top up? Can it be higher with a hard top on?
Many thankings, MM
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Justin Time
Joined: Thu 22 Jun, 2006 20:34
Posts: 2183

  Z3 roadster 2.0
Location: Kent

Post by Justin Time »

The only limit should be what maximum speed you feel confident you can control the car at. Top up or down, doesn't make any difference except above 70 its hard to hear yourself think with the noise of the wind in your ears. A hardtop is only a desired option due to looks and keeping heat in, in the winter, not a factor in making a decision to go as fast as possible on the autobahn or not. :)
BMW Z3 2.0L Velvet Blue Individual Edition
PVR
Z Register member
Joined: Wed 12 Nov, 2003 19:09
Posts: 814

  Z4 M roadster
Location: Worth

Post by PVR »

There is only one speed on the German autobahn - flat to the floor (when traffic allows).

163 Mph was my speed top down by the way. No feeling anymore on the top of my head, but otherwise great.

Note that this was a Z4 by the way.
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spokey
Joined: Fri 20 Feb, 2004 11:11
Posts: 4586

  blank
Location: The Big Smoke

Post by spokey »

PVR wrote:No feeling anymore on the top of my head,
Was that because it was empty? :D

PS: 163 is pretty quick, was that measured on your TT?
Ciao,
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW

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PVR
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Joined: Wed 12 Nov, 2003 19:09
Posts: 814

  Z4 M roadster
Location: Worth

Post by PVR »

It was indeed GPS speed. Remember I had the infamous SE CAI on the car.
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spokey
Joined: Fri 20 Feb, 2004 11:11
Posts: 4586

  blank
Location: The Big Smoke

Post by spokey »

PVR wrote:It was indeed GPS speed. Remember I had the infamous SE CAI on the car.
Bloody hell! I wish they'd made one for the Z1! :shock:
Ciao,
Spokey
jackal on PH wrote:i love your profile... an endless pornographic paroxysm of the letters BMW

do you actually like driving at all or are cars to you just a manifestation of some sort of pathological mother complex ?
greg_ch
Joined: Tue 30 Mar, 2004 13:38
Posts: 636

  Z4 M roadster
Location: Zug, Switzerland

Re: Speed!

Post by greg_ch »

MrsMozart wrote:If I were to take my 1.9 '98 Roadster onto an Autobahn, what top speed should I be limiting myself to (in optimum conditions, etc)? Should it be lower with the soft top up? Can it be higher with a hard top on?
Many thankings, MM
Most German autobahns are pretty clogged up so in reality it will only be early in the morning or late into a summer evening that will see you hitting Vmax.

With a modestly powered car the most important thing you need to do is think very carefully before pulling out. All to often accidents occur when a lower powered car pulls in to the path of a faster moving vehicle, of which there are many...often with a TDI badge.
///M_aniac
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Joined: Sat 30 Jul, 2005 19:34
Posts: 4054

  M roadster S50
Location: Belfast

Post by ///M_aniac »

You can go as fast with roof up or down - hardtop will not make any difference on the smooth surface of an autobahn. Just be wary of faster vehicles. You can be sitting quite happily at 120 then all of a sudden you have a big BMW or Merc behind pushing you. Don't hesitate in pulling over and letting them through. Lane discipline is essential on an autobahn.

Are you planning a trip soon? If so, drive safely.
BMW Z3, the only way to build a true roadster

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With an M??


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estocks
Joined: Tue 04 Oct, 2005 23:36
Posts: 2866

  Not specified

Post by estocks »

I was under an impression the Z3 was electronically limited to 125MPH.
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Use the Search button before posting newbie questions about hard tops and fitting kits, footwell speaker amps, water in the boot, hood maintainance and those horrific angel eyes. We get like 10 threads a week on the same subject, it's obvious that you haven't searched.
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SpunkyM
Joined: Mon 08 Mar, 2004 18:26
Posts: 1142

  M roadster S54
Location: Harrogate

Post by SpunkyM »

No, the M's are supposed to be limted to 155mph, but like other people I've had more than that out of my S54 on the autobahn as confirmed by TomTom.

I would expect you would be hitting vmax at about 125mph but it will take a while to get there. Also be aware the Z gets very 'floaty' above about 120mph so extra care is needed.
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Sapphire Black 02 S54 M Roadster
MrsMozart
Joined: Fri 14 Mar, 2008 22:23
Posts: 73

  Z3 roadster 1.9

Post by MrsMozart »

Thank you for the answers folks. I guess I'll stay below 120-ish as it's a while since I had a toy to play with: my Omega runs well and handles nicely (2.5 so it should), but I've had that for two years and know it well. I'll also try and stay out of the way of the speed merchants! It'll be a couple of months now 'till I get to go over. Whilst in the UK I will of course be sticking to the national speed limits... :zmurf:
MM
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