420d or another mile cruncher?

[98Dil]

Hi I own a 2015 420d Xdrive GC Auto, and it returns an average of 42-44 true mpg on my long commutes (motorways 97%) of 78 miles a day. I cover around 25k miles a year

Would it be cheaper to cover those miles in an EV, let’s say Tesla model 3 dual motor all wheel drive? However I’d only charge at superchargers or on a road fast charger, or I could go for a under 5k cheapish car which I can retrofit car play

Thanks!

[Jamescrs]

The cheapest option will undoubtably be to keep what you have and run that.

In terms of running a Tesla make sure you look at insurance costs because a lot of EV car owners are reporting huge jumps in insurance costs recently which could easily wipe out any fuel savings

[Tam_Mullen]

Not helping I know, but I would have expected a good bit better than that out of a 420d on motorway runs. On motorway runs my M140 will return a 'real' (as in checked, tank to tank) of 42mpg!

[Earthdweller]

Tam_Mullen said:

Not helping I know, but I would have expected a good bit better than that out of a 420d on motorway runs. On motorway runs my M140 will return a 'real' (as in checked, tank to tank) of 42mpg!

I’d have expected so too ,

I’ve a 2015 X3 20d xdrive which I’ve had from new and over the 93k it has averaged 41mpg .. I regularly do long cross country runs 400m+ and it returns high 40’s

We ran a 320d touring alongside it for 4 years and 120k and that would hit 65-70mpg on long runs and averaged 56mpg overall

I’d have thought a 4gc would be more efficient

(Of course heavy right foot is a big factor)

[ZX10R NIN]

Weight is the issue & it's the reason a 3.0d will actually give better real world mpg.

[BenS94]

Do you use cruise control or the speed limiter?

[s55shh]

ZX10R NIN said:

Weight is the issue & it's the reason a 3.0d will actually give better real world mpg.

my F36 430d non XDrive returns average 40.4mpg over the last 40k mainly motorway (207mile commute!)

[Mirinjawbro]

640d here. long term average is 37/38mpg. 70 80% motorway.

nothing like the figures say. i get 500/550 a tank everytime

[BenS94]

s55shh said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Weight is the issue & it's the reason a 3.0d will actually give better real world mpg.

my F36 430d non XDrive returns average 40.4mpg over the last 40k mainly motorway (207mile commute!)

My X3 30d would average 53 MPG on the motorway...

[MrBen.911]

I'd keep the 420d and work on hypermiling techniques! Eco mode, speed limiter with gentle right foot, minimise braking by anticipating hazards as far as possible etc etc.

[cerb4.5lee]

ZX10R NIN said:

Weight is the issue & it's the reason a 3.0d will actually give better real world mpg.

This was my first thought too. I always think that it is better to have a bigger engine working less hard, rather than a smaller engine working its backside off if you understand what I mean.

I still regret not going for either the 530d/535d when I went for the 520d.

[Wills2]

My 730d has an average over 30k of 42mpg (will do 55mpg+ on a run) a friend has a 118d that does over 60mpg on his 50 mile commute, surprised the 420d isn't averaging 50mpg to be honest but as always your mileage may vary.

As for the comments around a stressing the 2.0d, at 70mph on the motorway that engine isn't stressed at all.

Edited by Wills2 on Monday 4th December 10:24

[Golden Guinea Charlie]

A friend has just paid £2000 for four tyres on a Tesla S .
Also paid £1200 insurance. Ashford Kent Kept off road, husband & wife only to drive both 60 and full NCD.
But as she says, they pay no road tax, which makes it all OK!!!!!!!!!!!!

[MDMA .]

MrBen.911 said:

I'd keep the 420d and work on hypermiling techniques! Eco mode, speed limiter with gentle right foot, minimise braking by anticipating hazards as far as possible etc etc.

Agree. I can get 800 miles from a full tank in my 320d.

[98Dil]

Hi all thanks for your replies.

I use an app called CarScope which automatically calculates mpg, so far I’ve averaged 42.44mpg over 13k miles

I hardly use cruise control and feather the throttle between 70-80mph.

I’ve recently had four new Bridgestone potenzas run flats, and the car has always been serviced at bmw and last major service was around 12k miles ago at BMW

Any thoughts?

[Pica-Pica]

98Dil said:

Hi all thanks for your replies.

I use an app called CarScope which automatically calculates mpg, so far I’ve averaged 42.44mpg over 13k miles

I hardly use cruise control and feather the throttle between 70-80mph.

I’ve recently had four new Bridgestone potenzas run flats, and the car has always been serviced at bmw and last major service was around 12k miles ago at BMW

Any thoughts?

My overall average is 44 mpg … in a 335d xdrive. You should be doing better than 42mpg, but it depends on the journeys.

[Muzzer79]

Are you sure your app isn't calculating U.S mpg?

I used the Fuelly app and over 65,000 miles my 2017 520d Touring averaged 43.2mpg on a mixture of A-road and motorway commuting. That was in a bigger, heavier car than your 420d.

I'd be expecting circa 50mpg, based on your stated circumstances (which is what 42 U.S mpg converts to)

[98Dil]

Hi just checked it’s definitely MPG imperial (UK),
also I have the older 420d engine N47 I think?

[98Dil]

I know it’s very unusual, most my journey are long motorway drives, is it due to XDRIVE? And potentially being a 64 plate?

[Percy.]

Drove my 2014 530d Touring back from collection yesterday, average 48mpg on the 149 mile journey