I'll double check on the way home but approx 3800 I believe? I know I'm right around 4k at 80

Thanks RB. You are always so willing to help.

On fuel mileage: my OBC, not reset since I have owned it, shows over 21 mpg; I calculate 20+ mpg, occasionally over 21, on premium [w/10% ethenol in GA] since changing the plugs and oxygen sensors, on Conti DWS 18" tires. Mixed city/highway, mostly ATL commuting miles. This is up 1 mpg or so since doing the plugs/sensors. I'll see if the numbers improve when I swap back to summer performance tires in the next month or so. My best-ever tank, highway miles running at 65-75 mph, was around 24 mpg

BMWman, looks like you have some cosmetic [and more!] work to do. Good luck!!

I sure do love myself a restoration thread. Be sure to start one when it arrives!

Squidzilla, I just double checked on the way into work today. At 80 mph the RPM's are dead set right at 3900. When you get to 85 you are just at or above 4k.

Hope that helps, I have OE sized 20" tires

Here is a gauge pic I took & often use of indicated <85, which is probably about 80 ish, just as RB wrote.

No pic for 75, but it's about 3600 rpms.

Fwiw, my '02 Vettevert 6 spd loafs along at ~1600 rpms at 80+... :D

There have been several posts that suggest the higher rpms we 5 spd car owners see is a detriment or too much high revving on engine, and it may well not be beneficial long term.

Otoh, our '01 has been 'long term' without any obvious engine/valve train problems from all these years of highway travel rpms.

GL, mD

Thanks RB and MD. I wanted to confirm that my rpm should be that high. Well, nothing like a daily Italian tune up just by riding on the highway.

TBH I think the I6 won't see any negative effects, possibly that may tie into some M54 owners oil consumption but I believe the M54 is a pretty high rev motor so I can't imagine if its well maintained with highway miles that it would be negative.

For example member srmmmm has like 275k+ on his 3.0 and it runs like a top. Wally (OG member) also had over 350k I believe.

I saw a few 300k mile examples while searching for mine. The M54 is pretty robust. BMW only used it in nearly everything, and there are quiet a few E46s that see plenty of track time with no problems.