Astonishing 530i Auto MPG
Discussion
OK, the fact that I chose to drive a 2002 e39 530i auto does not really mark me out as someone who has MPG at the top of my wish list. I like to get more miles to a tank (who doesn't?), but don't often try at it. I just accept that motorway = good MPG, town = bad MPG, in a hurry = bad MPG. The car is returning 30.3mpg as a univeral average which I think is fine.
Anyway, I've just driven 66 miles. I was not in a hurry. There was something on Radio 4 I got quite engrossed in. I was mainly in lane 1 doing 60-65ish and into Lane 2 every now and then to get past the slower trucks, then back into Lane 1. So whilst not on an economy run as such, it was a very gentle run.
Get home and notice that petrol dial has not moved as much as it normally does on that trip so checked the trip computer. 41.5 MPG
It returned mid 30s on the way back from holidays, but 41.5! It's an automatic barge with a petrol engine. I didn't think it would ever get itself into the 40's.
It could be a false read but I check it on my mobile every time I fill it up and the OBC is normally pretty good.
So there you go. Astonishing.
Anyway, I've just driven 66 miles. I was not in a hurry. There was something on Radio 4 I got quite engrossed in. I was mainly in lane 1 doing 60-65ish and into Lane 2 every now and then to get past the slower trucks, then back into Lane 1. So whilst not on an economy run as such, it was a very gentle run.
Get home and notice that petrol dial has not moved as much as it normally does on that trip so checked the trip computer. 41.5 MPG
It returned mid 30s on the way back from holidays, but 41.5! It's an automatic barge with a petrol engine. I didn't think it would ever get itself into the 40's.
It could be a false read but I check it on my mobile every time I fill it up and the OBC is normally pretty good.
So there you go. Astonishing.
gizlaroc said:
I honestly reckon the overall cost of any E39 530i is now alot cheaper than any 530d be that a manual or auto.
You are right. Compared running costs of the 530d we have versus my 530i the other day. When you add up the extra fuel cost, slightly more frequent servicing and annual warranty cost versus the cheaper fuel, only 7-8mpg less fuel economy and the repairs on my 530i and they just about break even per mile.And mine sounds better.
Ok I bought mine privately 18 months later and his was an AUC with rather less miles but... never mind.
matt uk said:
There was something on Radio 4 I got quite engrossed in.
Oh dear. Not concentrating fully on the road, sir ?matt uk said:
Get home and notice that petrol dial has not moved as much as it normally does on that trip so checked the trip computer. 41.5 MPG
Suprising. You must have been slipstreaming lorriesa lot of the time.
Me, I've just had a 400-odd mile day trip on the Continent,
cruising at anything up to 100 mph and I was pleased with
average 29 mpg.
That's an impressive figure, especially for an auto.
I've always been impressed by how economical BMW petrol engines are, my newly aquired E34 540i being no different. This morning I set the cruise control at an indicated 65mph and by the time i'd travelled 100 miles i'd returned 35.8mpg.
I've always been impressed by how economical BMW petrol engines are, my newly aquired E34 540i being no different. This morning I set the cruise control at an indicated 65mph and by the time i'd travelled 100 miles i'd returned 35.8mpg.
My current E46 M3 is showing 26.6 mpg, it is SMG and I think that is pretty amazing.
I also have a Merc E320 V6 petrol and that is also showing 26mpg and a trip returned 35mpg the other day which is superb and better than our old E270cdi if you take into account fuel prices.
I have just sold an Efficent dynamics 320d auto sport touring, that cost me £80 to fill up with decent diesel and returned 480 miles on average per tank. The E320 estate costs £75 to fill up with petrol (70L tank) and returns 400 miles.
So even comparing one of the most efficient auto diesels out there with a big V6 petrol the difference is not that massive.
I am sure if you can live with a manual 4 pot diesel then it will start to pay, getting 550 miles or more from them, but if you want auto then you have to seriously weigh it up these days.
I was looking at maybe swapping for a newer 2005/6 avantgarde E class estate, one with all the toys including comand and sub 40k miles is going to cost you £20k at the very least, however I was offered an E320 petrol with everything on it for £15k. When I went to look at it the computer was showing 32mpg average over the last 3000 miles. The guy was a dealer and he had been using it, he has a new E320cdi sport now and that is showing......wait for it..........31mpg average. He did point out that the diesel had only done 6k miles so far, but was very disapointed as he was hoping to get nearer 40mpg.
I also have a Merc E320 V6 petrol and that is also showing 26mpg and a trip returned 35mpg the other day which is superb and better than our old E270cdi if you take into account fuel prices.
I have just sold an Efficent dynamics 320d auto sport touring, that cost me £80 to fill up with decent diesel and returned 480 miles on average per tank. The E320 estate costs £75 to fill up with petrol (70L tank) and returns 400 miles.
So even comparing one of the most efficient auto diesels out there with a big V6 petrol the difference is not that massive.
I am sure if you can live with a manual 4 pot diesel then it will start to pay, getting 550 miles or more from them, but if you want auto then you have to seriously weigh it up these days.
I was looking at maybe swapping for a newer 2005/6 avantgarde E class estate, one with all the toys including comand and sub 40k miles is going to cost you £20k at the very least, however I was offered an E320 petrol with everything on it for £15k. When I went to look at it the computer was showing 32mpg average over the last 3000 miles. The guy was a dealer and he had been using it, he has a new E320cdi sport now and that is showing......wait for it..........31mpg average. He did point out that the diesel had only done 6k miles so far, but was very disapointed as he was hoping to get nearer 40mpg.
matt_uk thats an excellent mpg. My 2001 530i Sports Auto has never got anywhere near that (well not with me driving) 34mpg is the most I have got out of it on a run (still quite impressive I thought). I have however often wondered about switching to the 530d but have never been able to convince myself. Looks like I am not alone on this. Think I will stick with what I've got for now.
I've just replaced my E39 540i manual with a V70 D5 manual. A backwards step, I know, but it did seem save a lot of cash to start with. Then I realised the fuel guage and trip computer were optimistic, and I wasn't getting what i thought I would. Couple that to the tip-toed honeymoon period when I never put my foot down, and the higher cost of diesel itself, and the benefits don't look quite so attractive. Sure, a diesel is economical if you drive gently, but so was my "guzzling" 540. I used to regularly get 35mpg on a run, and 40 or even 41 when going gently. Now the diesel will get more than that, but not THAT much more, and the downside is much poorer refinement, flexibility and drivability. Noise, vibration, lag-and-lunge delivery vs. quick, quiet and linear response. Not sure I've done the right thing.
Nick
Nick
i can believe a car with more than 4 cylinders and isn't diesel is more than capable of decent fuel consumption. I've gone from a Focus TDCI to a saab 2.8T v6, i'm getting mid 30s quite easily and i've seen high 30s if i drive in eco mode. It is obviously less than the 50mpg that i got from the focus (driving in eco mode), but not overly so.. especially when taking into consideration the petrol/diesel price difference and the fact a petrol is so much nicer to drive.
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