New EDynamic BMW's actual mpg compared to brochure survey
Discussion
Hi Everyone
Someone suggested I start a thread to try and get to the bottom of what appears to be BMW over inflated MPG's in the sales brochures.
Last Saturday I bought an efficient dynamic (post Sept 07 build date) 330d m sport, it's done 7000 miles and only getting 28mpg urban (brochure 34.9), combined 36 (brochure 45.6) and extra urban 42 absolute tops (brochure 55.4).
Am going to test it tomorrow to see what it does at a steady 60 mpg for a distance when warm and will update post.
Can I please have your experiences of ED's actual efficiency and accuracy compared with brochure - any series BM? "Which" are very interested in my case and with all the pressure and focus on "green" living and "green" driving, I think would be further interested in opinion on this.
Are we being taken for a literal ride? Or are some of us just unlucky?
Someone suggested I start a thread to try and get to the bottom of what appears to be BMW over inflated MPG's in the sales brochures.
Last Saturday I bought an efficient dynamic (post Sept 07 build date) 330d m sport, it's done 7000 miles and only getting 28mpg urban (brochure 34.9), combined 36 (brochure 45.6) and extra urban 42 absolute tops (brochure 55.4).
Am going to test it tomorrow to see what it does at a steady 60 mpg for a distance when warm and will update post.
Can I please have your experiences of ED's actual efficiency and accuracy compared with brochure - any series BM? "Which" are very interested in my case and with all the pressure and focus on "green" living and "green" driving, I think would be further interested in opinion on this.
Are we being taken for a literal ride? Or are some of us just unlucky?
November 2007 130i manual (facelifted/ED model):
Urban claimed 23.2 mpg, actual c.24-25 mpg
Extra urban claimed 47.1 mpg, actual c.40-41 mpg
Combined claimed 34.0 mpg, actual c.31-32 mpg.
Overall I'm delighted, I used to get around 21 urban, 27 extra urban and 23-24 combined in my last car, a Focus ST.
Urban claimed 23.2 mpg, actual c.24-25 mpg
Extra urban claimed 47.1 mpg, actual c.40-41 mpg
Combined claimed 34.0 mpg, actual c.31-32 mpg.
Overall I'm delighted, I used to get around 21 urban, 27 extra urban and 23-24 combined in my last car, a Focus ST.
All qouted MPG figures are worked out using a standard home office test. Therefore all new cars are are tested in the same way. Whilst I have never met anyone who actually acheived the figures quoted in any sales brochure, the offical figures are still the best way to compare one model to another.
One of the test is sat at 75mph for 3 miles with a car at full temp.
It is also a car with no options and no electrics on, thus saving weight and using less energy.
The fact it is done on a rolling road also means you're never taking into account the biggest eater of fuel, moving the vehichles own weight.
If your car is an auto 34mpg is what I would expect most of the time, when you have done 30k miles this may creep up to 36mpg. If you use a premium diesel add maybe 1-2mpg to your average.
When you say 'round town' how many miles are you doing?? It takes around 8 miles or 15 minutes for the car to get to temperature, up till that point diesel is rubbish for economy.
It is also a car with no options and no electrics on, thus saving weight and using less energy.
The fact it is done on a rolling road also means you're never taking into account the biggest eater of fuel, moving the vehichles own weight.
If your car is an auto 34mpg is what I would expect most of the time, when you have done 30k miles this may creep up to 36mpg. If you use a premium diesel add maybe 1-2mpg to your average.
When you say 'round town' how many miles are you doing?? It takes around 8 miles or 15 minutes for the car to get to temperature, up till that point diesel is rubbish for economy.
kentmotorcompany said:
All qouted MPG figures are worked out using a standard home office test. Therefore all new cars are are tested in the same way. Whilst I have never met anyone who actually acheived the figures quoted in any sales brochure, the offical figures are still the best way to compare one model to another.
Vectras quoted are 46.9mpg...I presume the computer must be optimisticBMW 123d 3 door with just 5000 miles on it. I've done 2500 miles in the last couple of months since buying it and it feels quicker now, but mpg hasn't improved yet. I live in Scotland and not driven the car when it's been above 3 or 4 degrees, usually minus degress. I understand diesel consumption suffers in colder conditions.
Urban Fuel - Claimed 43.5 mpg - Actual - 36mpg
Extra Urban - Claimed 64.2 mpg - Actual - 55mpg (cruising on A class road at 60mpg)
Combined - Claimed 54.3 mpg - Actual - 41.5mpg
I feel the 123d isn't geared for economy. At 80mpg it sits at 2500rpm, where as a diesel Mondeo is at 2000rpm at around 85mph.
Just hope it improves with miles and the warmer weather.
Edit - Car has roof bars and bike carrier on all the time, probably lose 3-5mpg because of that. Plus the car is driven fairly quickly.
Urban Fuel - Claimed 43.5 mpg - Actual - 36mpg
Extra Urban - Claimed 64.2 mpg - Actual - 55mpg (cruising on A class road at 60mpg)
Combined - Claimed 54.3 mpg - Actual - 41.5mpg
I feel the 123d isn't geared for economy. At 80mpg it sits at 2500rpm, where as a diesel Mondeo is at 2000rpm at around 85mph.
Just hope it improves with miles and the warmer weather.
Edit - Car has roof bars and bike carrier on all the time, probably lose 3-5mpg because of that. Plus the car is driven fairly quickly.
Edited by scz4 on Friday 23 January 12:42
The Official figures are obtained in a lab, thus,
*
The test is outlined in Directive 93/116/EC as amended by 1999/100/EC and provides results that are more than representative of actual average on-road fuel consumption than previous tests. There are two parts: an urban and an extra-urban cycle. The cars tested have to be run-in and must have been driven for at least 1,800 miles (3,000 kilometres) before testing.
*
Urban Cycle
The urban test cycle is carried out in a laboratory at an ambient temperature of 20oC to 30oC on a rolling road from a cold start, i.e. the engine has not run for several hours. The cycle consists of a series of accelerations, steady speeds, decelerating and idling. Maximum speed is 31mph (50km/h), average speed 12mph (19km/h) and the distance covered is 2.5 miles (4km).
*
Extra-Urban Cycle
This cycle is conducted immediately following the urban cycle and consists of roughly half steady-speed driving and the remainder accelerations, decelerations, and some idling. Maximum speed is 75mph (120km/h), average speed is 39mph (63 km/h) and the distance covered is 4.3miles (7km).
*
Combined Fuel Consumption Figure
The combined figure presented is for the urban and extra-urban cycle together. It is therefore an average of the two parts of the test, weighted by the distances covered in each part.
(http://www.vca.gov.uk/fcb/faqs-fuel-consumptio.asp)
Pretty impossible to replicate those 'official' figures in the real world, anyone using their OBC to 'calculate' what MPG has the added another variable.
*
The test is outlined in Directive 93/116/EC as amended by 1999/100/EC and provides results that are more than representative of actual average on-road fuel consumption than previous tests. There are two parts: an urban and an extra-urban cycle. The cars tested have to be run-in and must have been driven for at least 1,800 miles (3,000 kilometres) before testing.
*
Urban Cycle
The urban test cycle is carried out in a laboratory at an ambient temperature of 20oC to 30oC on a rolling road from a cold start, i.e. the engine has not run for several hours. The cycle consists of a series of accelerations, steady speeds, decelerating and idling. Maximum speed is 31mph (50km/h), average speed 12mph (19km/h) and the distance covered is 2.5 miles (4km).
*
Extra-Urban Cycle
This cycle is conducted immediately following the urban cycle and consists of roughly half steady-speed driving and the remainder accelerations, decelerations, and some idling. Maximum speed is 75mph (120km/h), average speed is 39mph (63 km/h) and the distance covered is 4.3miles (7km).
*
Combined Fuel Consumption Figure
The combined figure presented is for the urban and extra-urban cycle together. It is therefore an average of the two parts of the test, weighted by the distances covered in each part.
(http://www.vca.gov.uk/fcb/faqs-fuel-consumptio.asp)
Pretty impossible to replicate those 'official' figures in the real world, anyone using their OBC to 'calculate' what MPG has the added another variable.
Edited by E30M3SE on Friday 23 January 10:50
kentmotorcompany said:
All qouted MPG figures are worked out using a standard home office test. Therefore all new cars are are tested in the same way. Whilst I have never met anyone who actually acheived the figures quoted in any sales brochure, the offical figures are still the best way to compare one model to another.
+1Not done by BMW. But consistent accross the board.
adycav said:
November 2007 130i manual (facelifted/ED model):
Urban claimed 23.2 mpg, actual c.24-25 mpg
Extra urban claimed 47.1 mpg, actual c.40-41 mpg
Combined claimed 34.0 mpg, actual c.31-32 mpg.
Overall I'm delighted, I used to get around 21 urban, 27 extra urban and 23-24 combined in my last car, a Focus ST.
I thought that the 130i wasn't ED as it still had the old engine in?Urban claimed 23.2 mpg, actual c.24-25 mpg
Extra urban claimed 47.1 mpg, actual c.40-41 mpg
Combined claimed 34.0 mpg, actual c.31-32 mpg.
Overall I'm delighted, I used to get around 21 urban, 27 extra urban and 23-24 combined in my last car, a Focus ST.
Thanks everyone. I agree it's impossible to replicate the tests used for the "official" mpg and it may well be good as a comparison across different models/makes as everyone uses the same tests. However, they really shouldn't be claiming "green victories" as in normal driving conditions it would appear that none of them match up to the wonderful results in the test figures (or very few!).
If you're taking "green" really literally, as I'm sure someone will comment at some point in this thread, then none of us should be driving at all!
There has got to be some independent way of getting some more realistic guidance when making a choice in buying a car. You know, guidelines for DIY testing and surveys (ie take all gear out of car, no passengers, no aircon on, correct tyre pressure, no windows open etc etc, keeping revs at certain level, driving for 20 mins, or x miles)- and then manufacturers should publish results with averages. I don't know, but I'm sure there must be a way of giving customers a fairer idea of what to expect.
I thought I should future proof and by exchanging my old 330d (starting to need work done on it) which did 45 mpg for an efficient dynamic 330d I thought, obviously naiively, that I would be saving money over the coming years on my diesel, not spending about £500 per year more at today's prices (more at tomorrow's no doubt).
Interesting debate and useful info swapping here. I am hopeful that when it has done a few more miles and the weather gets warmer fuel consumption should go up a bit. At 15000 miles per year I should know pretty soon!
If you're taking "green" really literally, as I'm sure someone will comment at some point in this thread, then none of us should be driving at all!
There has got to be some independent way of getting some more realistic guidance when making a choice in buying a car. You know, guidelines for DIY testing and surveys (ie take all gear out of car, no passengers, no aircon on, correct tyre pressure, no windows open etc etc, keeping revs at certain level, driving for 20 mins, or x miles)- and then manufacturers should publish results with averages. I don't know, but I'm sure there must be a way of giving customers a fairer idea of what to expect.
I thought I should future proof and by exchanging my old 330d (starting to need work done on it) which did 45 mpg for an efficient dynamic 330d I thought, obviously naiively, that I would be saving money over the coming years on my diesel, not spending about £500 per year more at today's prices (more at tomorrow's no doubt).
Interesting debate and useful info swapping here. I am hopeful that when it has done a few more miles and the weather gets warmer fuel consumption should go up a bit. At 15000 miles per year I should know pretty soon!
jlbf said:
Hi Everyone
Someone suggested I start a thread to try and get to the bottom of what appears to be BMW over inflated MPG's in the sales brochures.
Last Saturday I bought an efficient dynamic (post Sept 07 build date) 330d m sport, it's done 7000 miles and only getting 28mpg urban (brochure 34.9), combined 36 (brochure 45.6) and extra urban 42 absolute tops (brochure 55.4).
Am going to test it tomorrow to see what it does at a steady 60 mpg for a distance when warm and will update post.
Can I please have your experiences of ED's actual efficiency and accuracy compared with brochure - any series BM? "Which" are very interested in my case and with all the pressure and focus on "green" living and "green" driving, I think would be further interested in opinion on this.
Are we being taken for a literal ride? Or are some of us just unlucky?
Does your car have the new 330 diesel?Someone suggested I start a thread to try and get to the bottom of what appears to be BMW over inflated MPG's in the sales brochures.
Last Saturday I bought an efficient dynamic (post Sept 07 build date) 330d m sport, it's done 7000 miles and only getting 28mpg urban (brochure 34.9), combined 36 (brochure 45.6) and extra urban 42 absolute tops (brochure 55.4).
Am going to test it tomorrow to see what it does at a steady 60 mpg for a distance when warm and will update post.
Can I please have your experiences of ED's actual efficiency and accuracy compared with brochure - any series BM? "Which" are very interested in my case and with all the pressure and focus on "green" living and "green" driving, I think would be further interested in opinion on this.
Are we being taken for a literal ride? Or are some of us just unlucky?
One big thing to remember here is that everybodies average journey is different & their driving style is going to be different to yours.
Ave MPG/urban/extra urban are impossible to replicate for your own personal routes & what you carry in the car.
Suggest you read this thread.
http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Ave MPG/urban/extra urban are impossible to replicate for your own personal routes & what you carry in the car.
Suggest you read this thread.
http://www.pistonheads.com/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Just had to put in this article on the new 245bhp 330d.
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results...
Please note the very last bit about the 6th gear gearing. @100mph it is doing 2,000rpm. So that means 1,400rpm @70mph or at max revs 5,000 250mph....
Still clearly it does 155mph which in 6th gear is a remarkable 3,100rpm... thats barely 62% of the rev range & I'd assume cruising in this new 245bhp would be very relaxing.
As it states its 0.1 seconds slower to 60mph than the 335d - which is £3k more but its an auto so in reality only £1.4k more, that said its nearly 20% more fuel efficient!!!
One big thing to note none of the 6 cylinder units yet have the stop start facility of efficient dynamics but it is coming and when it does watch out for 50mpg++(guess 53mpg) combined 330d's and 335d's which might be up to 45mpg.
http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results...
Please note the very last bit about the 6th gear gearing. @100mph it is doing 2,000rpm. So that means 1,400rpm @70mph or at max revs 5,000 250mph....
Still clearly it does 155mph which in 6th gear is a remarkable 3,100rpm... thats barely 62% of the rev range & I'd assume cruising in this new 245bhp would be very relaxing.
As it states its 0.1 seconds slower to 60mph than the 335d - which is £3k more but its an auto so in reality only £1.4k more, that said its nearly 20% more fuel efficient!!!
One big thing to note none of the 6 cylinder units yet have the stop start facility of efficient dynamics but it is coming and when it does watch out for 50mpg++(guess 53mpg) combined 330d's and 335d's which might be up to 45mpg.
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