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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Northern California
Posts: 7
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Rev limter question
I own a 1999 328i convertible and have a couple of questions:
Does this model have a rev limiter and if so, how is it that it functions (mechanically what is involved)? Last night I believe I accidently hit the redline and experienced it. The engine briefly cut out and speed was lost for a fraction of a second, then after shifting gears things got back to normal. A bit frightening I should say. Thanks in advance. 
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04-27-2003, 08:19 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Los Angeles
Posts: 32
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It's not a mechanical device at all. What happens is when the engine comes up on redline RPM, The computer selectively begins eliminating the spark from certain cylinders until the rpm drops back to below that particular rpm.
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04-27-2003, 11:29 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Palos Verdes Estates, CA
Posts: 878
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Im pretty sure that almost ALL cars these days have rev limiters. I've hit the speed limiter in my 325 on I-5 one time. Stupid me for doing that speed, but the point is, our cars all have rev limiters and a speed governor. Mine is at 125 mph I've read (although the optimistic BMW speedo was reading 130 when the speed limiter cut in). You can raise your limiter and remove the top speed thing with aftermarket software.
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1997 M3 Sedan 5spd Artic Silver/Dove M3 Bumpers/Mirrors/Sideskirts S52 3.2L, M3 Wheels, M3 suspension, M3 Brakes Oh wait...it's a stock M3 |
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04-28-2003, 03:23 PM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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It's not mechanical on these cars, it is merely a signal sent out when the engine hits the pre=programmed redline.
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04-28-2003, 03:25 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Northern California
Posts: 7
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Thanks for the responses. I really enjoy shifting through the gears in my 328 and this one time I was slightly distracted and kept my foot on the accelerator a bit too long. It can sneak up on you very quickly (the redline) being that the torque curve is so smooth and the engine reving, sounds so inviting .
Have any of you experienced this and what were the circumstances that lead up to it? I'd imagine it can't be good to have this happen on a regular basis... 
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04-28-2003, 04:25 PM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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The limiter will cut out the ignition before you hit the redline. As a test, i once hooked up a digital tach to my car and ran it is second to the redline. Sure enough around 7000RPM, the car died monetarily until it dropped back down under the redline. I don't really reccommend you always take your car to the redline, but once or twice wont really hurt.
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04-28-2003, 04:27 PM
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