E46 M3 mpg on a long run???

[Toady1]

Hi, Firstly Ive done the search thing...

Im considering buying an M3 after not buying one last year (glad I didn't now seeing as they've dropped SO much!!!) But now they are so well priced I'm even more tempted. Got one question though. Im just having to sell my house and go into renting, and although doing this works out cheap for me, its making my commute a lot longer. The (short run) roads are all a and b roads, however longer run uses A40, A34, and maybe M4...What I want to know is can the M3 get 30mpg if driven sedately? If so, what speed are you having to maintain max to do it! Ive had loads of guzzlers before and dont mind that, but do just want to do my homework. I understand that the usual everday will more likely be low 20's. However my last car was a 500bhp R33 gtr, which was my everyday car and gave me around 130miles to £60 worth of juice! I loved the power and noise, but did get fed up with so many visits to the petrol station. How many miles to a full tank can I expect out of the M3, and at what cost to fill up? Thanks in advance!

[dan101smith]

Going to/from Le Mans last year, me in an E36 M3, friend in an E46 M3, we were sat at a constant 80mph and I got 36mpg, he couldn't get his to tick over to 30mpg. Go figure!

[Toady1]

mmm...slightly heavier car I guess, and maybe yours has more mileage? anyone else care to share their experience from owning? e46 tho...ta

[LittleBro]

I've never seen much more than mid to hihg 20's out of mine.

I think a tank is currently c£55 and I get roughly 240 miles out of it.

I think thats about right - I dont pay much attention to the fuel as I dont drive it a whole lot

[nutcase]

Mine, an E46 with 84k miles, can return up to 27-28mpg on a decent run and the overall average including commuting at the moment is 23.7mpg.

[Noel]

Yep mid 20's for me. Anyone getting over 30 mpg should be too ashamed to admit it!

[Toady1]

thanks guys.

[m12_nathan]

A friend of mine knackered his brakes completely on a trackday - I followed him back at 60mph and got the following average from Bedford to Reading.



30 would be possible if you could be bothered to stick to 70-75.

This is a CSL but assume normal M3 is much the same.

[Toady1]

not sure what the pic is but Im not surprised the brake got trashed on a trackday! lol!

[m12_nathan]

The pic shows average MPG.

My brakes were fine - not sure what you mean about that?

[Toady1]

Ah I see it now! it was a small red X earlier! I meant Im not surprised the e46's brakes failed after a trackday! heavy car and not the best of brakes anyway!

[m12_nathan]

It was a mitsubishi, not an e46

[wilftwo]

Done 32k miles in mine. Ave MPG is 25.4 in all conditions. Tis pretty impressive.

[Toady1]

m12_nathan said:

It was a mitsubishi, not an e46

Ah I see now! I didn't read earlier that you had a csl! my bad! thats very impressive to average 34mpg!!!! I assumed you meant your mate had an e46 m3!

[cringle]

got an e46 m3 cab, everages at 19.4 mostly - got a lead sole on my shoe

[M15ley]

I can regularly see 31-32 on a steady 75-80mph run. Average about 24-25 with some round the doors work - not too shabby at all

[gizlaroc]

Used to get 30+ easily in the CSL, I can't get my regular M3 up to 30mpg.

26-28 on a run if taking it easy.

18-22mpg from most tanks though.

[Welshbeef]

Could someone do a test - reset their ave MPG once they are up to temp and then in 6th gear on a flat m way hold the speed @70mph for 2 miles min report back - maybe 4 or 5 miles would be better so that the OBC has a chance to reach the correct level.

Not that many would drive like that but its an indication of the max avaliable.

[Vixpy1]

Mine will do 30mpg ish at 80mph

I average about 23mpg.

[Welshbeef]

Vixpy1 said:

Mine will do 30mpg ish at 80mph

I average about 23mpg.

So at 70mph or 65mph in 6th you could quite easily be mid 30's maybe nearly 40's MPG.