E61 V8 Bearding

[ATM]

MPG

So I was playing around with the iDrive. Reset my journey computer and was watching the mpg meter. This was started as I was already travelling at 65 mph via the cruise. The first pic was taken shortly after I had been travelling at 65mph for a time. Then the second when I had almost arrived at my destination including a couple of start stop but mostly travelling along at sensible speeds.

Edited by ATM on Thursday 13th September 21:22

[Jobbo]

I got 31.9mpg from my 545i en route from Bruges to Amsterdam. That's for the whole journey, not reset on the way; I only took a photo part way there:


Mind you, I've had somewhat better from the F11 535i; for example:


I'd love to know what the F11 550i would manage in the same sort of use.

[hornetrider]

Jobbo said:

Mind you, I've had somewhat better from the F11 535i; for example:

Yeah, but two pots short of a proper engine, innit guv

[ATM]

Jobbo said:

I got 31.9mpg from my 545i en route from Bruges to Amsterdam. That's for the whole journey, not reset on the way; I only took a photo part way there:

I'm trying very hard not to see this as a Challenge.

[dom9]

Think I've done about 4k miles in mine now and the mpg is reading 19.8!

I managed to get that up from 19.4 after some trips to Southampton etc over Christmas!

Got to love a big V8 and big car

[Jobbo]

hornetrider said:

Jobbo said:

Mind you, I've had somewhat better from the F11 535i; for example:

Yeah, but two pots short of a proper engine, innit guv

Just try to find an F11 550i Touring yourself At least it's not a 2.0 4-cyl turbo like virtually every other BMW these days. I quite fancy chipping mine to 380bhp.

[texasjohn]

Jobbo said:

I'd love to know what the F11 550i would manage in the same sort of use.

The 408PS F10 is 5-10% worse than the E61 and struggles to achieve and maintain much more than 30. Caveat: my F10 only had 9990 miles on the clock so probably not fully loosened up.

The newer 449PS engines are probably a bit better if the difference is CO2 is anything to go by.

[Jobbo]

Was the 449PS engine introduced with the auto stop/start and Eco Pro mode (2012 MY I think)? I don't know how much difference they make in reality; I never use Eco Pro because it's hateful, and if stop/start kicks in you're stuck in traffic so it's never going to be a record-breaking economy run. Nice not to be using fuel when you're stationary in a jam, mind you.

[ATM]

I was reading some blurb about a volvo eco something or other on wiki or such site. It explained the history of the model and how it had evolved from - guessing these number - 45 mpg to 65 mpg. The engine had remained unchanged but it had been given different gear ratios, lower drag gearbox oil, low drag tyres and start stop. Adding start stop alone did alter its official mpg and CO rating but would obviously make absolutely no difference to the car while it is cruising along the motorway.

[AlasdairB10]

Here's my contribution to the mileage conversation. This is after cruise control on the M25 for about 35 miles - had a mileage milestone too. Car feels noticeably quicker after it had the inlets and things walnut blasted and fuel economy has improved a touch.

[hornetrider]

You're all doing it wrong. Post pics of consumption in the low teens (or preferably single figures) - stat.

[AlasdairB10]

hornetrider said:

You're all doing it wrong. Post pics of consumption in the low teens (or preferably single figures) - stat.

Fixed that for you:

[hornetrider]

Obviously these are two pots short of a decent mill, however the one at 32k looks a bit of a bargain to me with that spec, considering the 49k one.

32k:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=3...

49k:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[hornetrider]

And while I'm at it, isn't this quite the curio with 6 on the floor.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Yes yes it's half an engine, however I read a simple chip will deliver 300bhp and over 400 torques. While delivering nigh on 50 empeegees on the motorway. Impressive.

[Jobbo]

hornetrider said:

Obviously these are two pots short of a decent mill, however the one at 32k looks a bit of a bargain to me with that spec, considering the 49k one.

32k:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=3...

49k:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

I've looked at the £49k one before and love the colour scheme. Way too expensive despite the big spec; the £32k one has a couple of things over mine (HUD, Harman Kardon, sunroof and reversing camera) but things like VDC, LED lights, ceramic controls and soft-close doors are going to make the brown one feel that bit more luxurious. Give it a year and pay £30k for it

I would add that the 535i might have significantly better economy than a V8 E61 but it isn't nearly as effortless. The 8sp gearbox changes gear appropriately and the turbo does fill in the low end torque but it's still 100kg heavier and obviously not a low-effort big capacity naturally aspirated engine.

Edited by Jobbo on Tuesday 12th January 22:55

[texasjohn]

If we are posting 6 cylinder cars...Is it just me or is a little bit of crack being smoked here? Ok it's a very late car, but 20k for an E61?

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[hornetrider]

More than a little bit John!

Surprised to hear the 535i takes some hard work. I'd have thought the turbo charged delivery would give a good spread of torque from quite low down.

They'll also never get near 50k for them, not with the discounts available for new cars through coast2coast etc.

[Jobbo]

hornetrider said:

Surprised to hear the 535i takes some hard work. I'd have thought the turbo charged delivery would give a good spread of torque from quite low down.

It's not hard work but the gearbox keeps the revs below about 1200rpm most of the time and even the best turbo installation is going to struggle to blow when trickling around at those revs. So when you put your foot down the response is a bit soft compared to the old 545i and the gearbox therefore usually kicks down a gear or two. It's not a torqueless wonder, it's all relative

The red line is at 7000rpm in the 535i and it does enjoy being revved to that. It makes a nicer noise than the 545i which was a bit too quiet when thrashing it.

[Doofus]

Just seen this thread, and I have to ask; W, exactly, TF is 'bearding'?

As far as I knew, it was using an opposite-sdx escort to disguise one's homosexuality.

So, in this instance, is it posting a picture of your BMW to convince people you like BMWs, even though you don't?

[VerySideways]

My guess would be, in this context;
bearding = top geeking