Real world X5 MPG figures.
Discussion
Here's some info from a small experiment I did over the holidays to show myself how much the X5 guzzled fuel.
Firstly, the car is an E53 X5 4.8iS so fuel econony doesn't get much worse than this.
I usually drive it short journeys of under 5 miles and pretty enthusiastically as I am not really trying to economise, and my mileage is so low I would rather enjoy the comfort, performance and luxury of the car rather than saving a tenner a week on fuel. I then did some higher mileages over the Christmas break, testing at 40 mph, 55 mph and 80 mph cruise controlled driving starting with a fully warmed through engine, + lights, no AC, so here goes...
Average MPG on multiple cold starts, short and enthusiastic journeys.............17.1 mpg
40 mph cruise....................................................................38.6 mpg
55 mph cruise....................................................................31.6 mpg
80 mph cruise....................................................................24.3 mpg
Clearly it can be seen that the fuel consumption is vastly dependant on speed, but to a far greater extent than I suspected, indication the aerodynamic nightmare of the car. On my 850CSi, 5.6 V12 SOHC single cam 2 Valve head dinosaur, I get better than that and the speed increase only marginally effects the mpg.
With the CSi at 380 bhp and the X5 at 360 bhp, the power outputs are very similar but the 4.8iS has all the latest goodies, 4 valves per cylinder, OBD2, and N62 Valvetronic. However the CSi will average around 20 mpg around town and 26 mpg at around a cruise of 80 mph.
Its all down to aerodynamics it would appear. I am suggesting a new BMW slogan... not Efficiency Dynamics but Inefficiency Aerodynamics. Sound quite catchy?
Now to Supercharge them and see the difference.... he he.
8Tech.
Firstly, the car is an E53 X5 4.8iS so fuel econony doesn't get much worse than this.
I usually drive it short journeys of under 5 miles and pretty enthusiastically as I am not really trying to economise, and my mileage is so low I would rather enjoy the comfort, performance and luxury of the car rather than saving a tenner a week on fuel. I then did some higher mileages over the Christmas break, testing at 40 mph, 55 mph and 80 mph cruise controlled driving starting with a fully warmed through engine, + lights, no AC, so here goes...
Average MPG on multiple cold starts, short and enthusiastic journeys.............17.1 mpg
40 mph cruise....................................................................38.6 mpg
55 mph cruise....................................................................31.6 mpg
80 mph cruise....................................................................24.3 mpg
Clearly it can be seen that the fuel consumption is vastly dependant on speed, but to a far greater extent than I suspected, indication the aerodynamic nightmare of the car. On my 850CSi, 5.6 V12 SOHC single cam 2 Valve head dinosaur, I get better than that and the speed increase only marginally effects the mpg.
With the CSi at 380 bhp and the X5 at 360 bhp, the power outputs are very similar but the 4.8iS has all the latest goodies, 4 valves per cylinder, OBD2, and N62 Valvetronic. However the CSi will average around 20 mpg around town and 26 mpg at around a cruise of 80 mph.
Its all down to aerodynamics it would appear. I am suggesting a new BMW slogan... not Efficiency Dynamics but Inefficiency Aerodynamics. Sound quite catchy?
Now to Supercharge them and see the difference.... he he.
8Tech.
Edited by 8Tech on Friday 30th December 16:07
i had a 4.8is for 2.5 years, run an average 17.8 over that time. best 23.9 on the motorway.
i changed to a 18 month year old diesel 3.0sd, suppose to average 38 combine, but over the last 18 months shows 23.3, pretty rubbish really and way of what i was told. it's like buying a v12 and finding out its only a v6, bmw should be shot for their published mpg figures..
i changed to a 18 month year old diesel 3.0sd, suppose to average 38 combine, but over the last 18 months shows 23.3, pretty rubbish really and way of what i was told. it's like buying a v12 and finding out its only a v6, bmw should be shot for their published mpg figures..
The diesels seem to use the same amount of fuel however they are driven and load carried will make almost no consumption change on a cruise.
Under 30 mpg though is really not too good for a diesel though. It makes me happy I got the V8 after all. With no turbo or diesel injectors to worry about, its possibly as cheap to run long term over lower mileages as the diesels. Also no swirl flaps to destroy the engine by falling out or seized injectors requiring head removal.
I wonder if the newer E70's with all their efficiency dynamics gear are any better?
Under 30 mpg though is really not too good for a diesel though. It makes me happy I got the V8 after all. With no turbo or diesel injectors to worry about, its possibly as cheap to run long term over lower mileages as the diesels. Also no swirl flaps to destroy the engine by falling out or seized injectors requiring head removal.
I wonder if the newer E70's with all their efficiency dynamics gear are any better?
"I usually drive it short journeys of under 5 miles and pretty enthusiastically as I am not really trying to economise"
On my 650i the oil temp gauge does not move off it's (70 degree) stop for at least 5 miles, how can you drive "enthusiastically" on such a short journey?
Just the thoughts of someone who normally runs a car from 50 to ~ 180k miles over 6 years.
On my 650i the oil temp gauge does not move off it's (70 degree) stop for at least 5 miles, how can you drive "enthusiastically" on such a short journey?
Just the thoughts of someone who normally runs a car from 50 to ~ 180k miles over 6 years.
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