BMW 330ci fuel economy - how is it possible?
Discussion
OJ said:
RobM77 said:
What has changed so much about engines over the years?
Direct Injection means higher compression ratios and therefore more efficient combustion, 1D and fluid dynamic analysis means better volumetric efficiency, Efficient Dynamics means little or no ancillary drag on the engine (alternator only charges down hill I believe), tighter tolerances allow low friction oils, combine it with low rolling resistance tyres, better aerodynamics, et voila! Magnifique!Edited by OJ on Thursday 13th November 09:57
mat205125 said:
sniff diesel said:
Efficient dynamics.
The art of making a car perform exceptionally well during the tests that dictate the official figure published in the cars documentation.
No one will ever, EVER, get close to the headline efficiency figures published for any current BMW brand car - Many manufacturers are optimistic, however BMW are plain ridiculous.
1998 328i: Parkers quote 31mpg combined for my 328i (I think that's the BMW figure), whereas as I stated above, I get about 32 combined.
2000 330ci: Parkers quote 31mpg again, whereas I got about 33/34.
2007 320d: My Dad's got one of these, and he also matches/beats the BMW figure advertised when he bought it.
kambites said:
RobM77 said:
mat205125 said:
sniff diesel said:
Efficient dynamics.
The art of making a car perform exceptionally well during the tests that dictate the official figure published in the cars documentation.
No one will ever, EVER, get close to the headline efficiency figures published for any current BMW brand car - Many manufacturers are optimistic, however BMW are plain ridiculous.
1998 328i: Parkers quote 31mpg combined for my 328i (I think that's the BMW figure), whereas as I stated above, I get about 32 combined.
2000 330ci: Parkers quote 31mpg again, whereas I got about 33/34.
2007 320d: My Dad's got one of these, and he also matches/beats the BMW figure advertised when he bought it.
Why don't we turn out attention to the g/km of the car? At 173 it matches the mpg claims quite well (my ex's 1 litre Micra was 163!), and I believe that the measurement of emissions is strictly controlled, and not open to fudging. Actually though, I thought that the mpg tests were all done on a rolling road as well? I've seen it done on TV.
kambites said:
The CO2 and mpg tests are fairly similar, although they're not actually the same test. Doing either on a rolling road wouldn't work though, because that wouldn't take into account aerodynamics or weight. I assumed they were done on some kind of standard test track?
Good points, but I'm sure I saw them on TV doing the mpg tests on a rolling road, strange as that sounds!Thing is, if these things are historically consistent then if I can equal or beat the manufacture's figures in my 328i and previous 330ci, then I should be able to in a 330. At the very least I'd expect to equal that 50mpg figure at a steady 70, which on its own is rather remarkable! That would save me a heap of money cruising up to the Lake District from Basingstoke 
kambites said:
RobM77 said:
Thing is, if these things are historically consistent then if I can equal or beat the manufacture's figures in my 328i and previous 330ci, then I should be able to in a 330. At the very least I'd expect to equal that 50mpg figure at a steady 70, which on its own is rather remarkable! That would save me a heap of money cruising up to the Lake District from Basingstoke
I think manufacturers have got better at tailoring their cars to the tests so I don't believe they are historically consistent. Fair enough I can see the reasons behind that.pioneer said:
RobM77 said:
I guess that's our answer then thanks to all - especially Pioneer.
No problem, to be fair it is a cracking engine - I am going on a long drive (3 hours) later this month so I will see how many mpg I get then (driving in my usual safe but 'making progress' manner!). thanks to all - especially Pioneer. My E36 328i Sport is fantastic (and it's a great example with a very high spec in amazing condition), but I'm getting rather tempted by a test drive in one of these newer 330s. The only thing that puts me off is the iDrive. Even as a passenger in my Dad's BMW, it drives me crackers. I like to just reach forward and hit a button in the car whilst still looking where I'm going, not stare at a screen whilst I'm driving! How do you find it?
captainzep said:
Pah. Beemer fuel efficiency.
I drove from Kent to Wales the other day and got 36mpg from the old Saab 9-5 Aero 2.3 250bhp turbo engine.
Got bored around Bristol though.
Some 'spirited' driving saw this average dip to about 31mpg...
But still.
That's because it's a turbo, you were off boost on the motorway. What BMW are doing is achieving the mpg with a normally aspirated engine, which is a whole different ballgame.I drove from Kent to Wales the other day and got 36mpg from the old Saab 9-5 Aero 2.3 250bhp turbo engine.
Got bored around Bristol though.
Some 'spirited' driving saw this average dip to about 31mpg...
But still.
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