320d/330d vs 520d/530d MPG
Discussion
E90 330d Msport LCI auto - 09 plate.
Recorded almost every tank used since purchasing at 35,000 miles, now at 95,000 miles. Average 45mpg over 4 years. Lots of longer distance driving and I don't live in a city hence the high average but only once seen a tank dip below 40mpg and had a couple average over 50.
Awesome combination of power and economy. Only kept it so long as I genuinely don't know what else offers that combination. Recently bought an i3 but kept the 330d for longer journeys as its paid for. Heading from Scotland to South of France in July in it.
I'd be tempted by a new Alpina D3 touring mind.....
Recorded almost every tank used since purchasing at 35,000 miles, now at 95,000 miles. Average 45mpg over 4 years. Lots of longer distance driving and I don't live in a city hence the high average but only once seen a tank dip below 40mpg and had a couple average over 50.
Awesome combination of power and economy. Only kept it so long as I genuinely don't know what else offers that combination. Recently bought an i3 but kept the 330d for longer journeys as its paid for. Heading from Scotland to South of France in July in it.
I'd be tempted by a new Alpina D3 touring mind.....
I had a E90 330d 2006 auto and it returned 43 mpg and also had a E61 520d 2009 manual and that returned 43mpg as well, for me the 30d engine is always the one to go for because it has far more shove and a little bit more smoothness and refinement too.
Currently have a F13 640d 2012 and that does 40mpg.
Currently have a F13 640d 2012 and that does 40mpg.
REALIST123 said:
2014 530d
Used as comfortable cruiser, averages mid 40s. Lowest on a tank 44, highest 48, will average 50 on a long motorway cruise. No or very little city/town stuff, mostly country roads/main roads.
Similar for my 10 plate 530DUsed as comfortable cruiser, averages mid 40s. Lowest on a tank 44, highest 48, will average 50 on a long motorway cruise. No or very little city/town stuff, mostly country roads/main roads.
I manage high 46-47 on a relaxed long motorway journey to work, then 39-40ish on a 80mph pace returning home.
Round giving it some welly can & does quickly drop it!
REALIST123 said:
Presumably the 3 would be more economical on the same usage, because it's lighter. But IMO the 5 is the much better car in many ways.
I think it comes down to preference between comfort and handling. The 3 series feels much smaller and more nimble, despite having similar rear legroom. It can be quite an entertaining drive. The 5 is quieter, smoother and has better build quality, but is rather more barge-like to drive. Fine for motorways and big roads, but clumsy on tighter stuff.I moved from an F10 520d to an F30 335d. I averaged just over 40mpg in the 520d over 3 years of ownership, and I am on just under 40mpg in the 335d over 2 years. I like to press on, but expected a larger gap in fuel economy between to two, given the huge performance difference.
Same story here!
After several 520d Msports, the last being a 2011 F10 from new, I then went for an F30 330D Msport mainly because the 520 just felt too big and i no longer needed so much room.
I had expected performance to be better in the F30 and hoped MPG would be similar. I was wrong! The performance of the 330D is much much better and the cream on the cake is the MPG is much better too! I very rarely dip below 40MPG even when pressing on and on a long run cruising at 75/80 I have regularly seen 50MPG plus which given the power and acceleration available is superb. Mine has the adaptive suspension and despite 19" wheels drives really well on all roads.
After several 520d Msports, the last being a 2011 F10 from new, I then went for an F30 330D Msport mainly because the 520 just felt too big and i no longer needed so much room.
I had expected performance to be better in the F30 and hoped MPG would be similar. I was wrong! The performance of the 330D is much much better and the cream on the cake is the MPG is much better too! I very rarely dip below 40MPG even when pressing on and on a long run cruising at 75/80 I have regularly seen 50MPG plus which given the power and acceleration available is superb. Mine has the adaptive suspension and despite 19" wheels drives really well on all roads.
335d said:
REALIST123 said:
Presumably the 3 would be more economical on the same usage, because it's lighter. But IMO the 5 is the much better car in many ways.
I think it comes down to preference between comfort and handling. The 3 series feels much smaller and more nimble, despite having similar rear legroom. It can be quite an entertaining drive. The 5 is quieter, smoother and has better build quality, but is rather more barge-like to drive. Fine for motorways and big roads, but clumsy on tighter stuff.I moved from an F10 520d to an F30 335d. I averaged just over 40mpg in the 520d over 3 years of ownership, and I am on just under 40mpg in the 335d over 2 years. I like to press on, but expected a larger gap in fuel economy between to two, given the huge performance difference.
I would agree that the 3 is more nimble but wouldn't say the 5 was 'clumsy', though mine has full adaptive which gives a lot of choice and control.
I loooove my 530D, does my 40mile/way commute effortlessly, has a beautifully smooth engine with that perfect amount of shove to keep you entertained yet cruising on the motorway I get a perfectly acceptable mpg. On tight roadshow leaves nothing to be desired IMO, but I am no driving God.
Go with the bigger barge!
Go with the bigger barge!
LaneDiesel said:
Looking at insurance and running costs the 3 litre engines may not be affordable for me at the moment. Wanting to test drive the F30 and F10 2 litre diesel engines within the next week or so.
There is very little difference between them - certainly not when viewed against the backdrop of how much these cars cost to buy. If you can afford a £15,000-£50,000 car then the 3-4mpg difference between them or the minor insurance differences are trivial surely. If 3-4mpg is a bank breaker you probably want to look elsewhere at a more affordable car choice.My F10 530d does 45-50mpg on a Motorway run, 25mpg around town and is sat on a lifetime average of 35mpg. There is a 520d in the family and it was about 3-4mpg better in each situation.
Some interesting replies, I appreciate them all.
Insurance company have stated that to change from my E90 318D M Sport to the models below would look like this in terms of cost:
Insurance company have stated that to change from my E90 318D M Sport to the models below would look like this in terms of cost:
- 320D (SE) +£50 per year
- 330D (SE) +230 per year
- 530D (M) + £200 per year
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