320d/330d vs 520d/530d MPG

320d/330d vs 520d/530d MPG

Author
Discussion

LaneDiesel

Original Poster:

170 posts

93 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
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Hi guys,

Just wondering what MPG people are getting in their 320/330d's and 520/530d's.

Just putting a shortlist together for the new (used) car I'm looking for, and need to work out what will work out reasonable.

Thanks.

Martyn76

616 posts

116 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
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Which model?

I have a E91 330d auto, around town I get approx 35mpg, on longer runs 45mpg is achievable (80-85mph).

biggles330d

1,527 posts

149 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
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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.....


anonymous-user

53 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
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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.

cerb4.5lee

30,185 posts

179 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
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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.

smashy

3,030 posts

157 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
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Ill add this my F30 330d is probably sleightly (just) better mpg than the 120d 177bhp auto I had

cerb4.5lee

30,185 posts

179 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
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I get 27mpg from a E90 330i if you fancy going for a car that uses proper fuel biggrin

S7Paul

2,103 posts

233 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
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2013 320d always used to do 45-46mpg. Current 330d has averaged 40.7 to date (over 6000 miles).

Andehh

7,107 posts

205 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
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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 530D

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! biggrin

mike_knott

339 posts

223 months

Thursday 23rd June 2016
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F10 520d has done tanks at 46, 49, 53, 47, 43, 54 & 51 mpg in ~5,000 miles since new (overall average around 48.5mpg).

The 43 was ragging it down the motorway; normal travel is 75 miles/day, 60% motorway, 40% built up (but normally moving; very little stop/start).

Mike...

LaneDiesel

Original Poster:

170 posts

93 months

Friday 24th June 2016
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The 330d appears to be the best bet, I am just mindful that my current E90 LCI M Sport is a group 23 insurance, with the 330d being mid 30's.

How much of a pocket dent is the difference?

craigsup

282 posts

101 months

Friday 24th June 2016
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I have an 2008 e90 330d msport auto which during my use has recorded roughly 30mpg. Although I do drive in sport mode and I have a heavy right foot.

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 24th June 2016
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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.

335d

758 posts

117 months

Friday 24th June 2016
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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.


Trfcok

84 posts

129 months

Friday 24th June 2016
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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.

anonymous-user

53 months

Friday 24th June 2016
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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.


Andehh

7,107 posts

205 months

Saturday 25th June 2016
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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!

LaneDiesel

Original Poster:

170 posts

93 months

Sunday 3rd July 2016
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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.

Fox-

13,228 posts

245 months

Tuesday 5th July 2016
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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.

LaneDiesel

Original Poster:

170 posts

93 months

Wednesday 6th July 2016
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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:

  • 320D (SE) +£50 per year
  • 330D (SE) +230 per year
  • 530D (M) + £200 per year
Need to work out what I can afford, and the 520D is also a good option.