Love my 328ci but.....................
Discussion
Look, comparisons are useless because town driving is very subjective and very small difference can make a difference to the MPG. For example, accelerating gently away in the 550M Sport in traffic, the OBC shows between 6-9mpg and then when I am up to speed at 25 mph just maintaining the speed the OBC shows 38mpg. Every morning it will be different. Every other driver here - unless driving behind you - will be totally different.
To illustrate, I did actually (and sadly) do this exercise for a day or two a few weeks ago. On consecutive days I reset the computer at the start of the journey to the station (this is a tube station and traffic is normalyl reasonably heavy). On both days I drover very gently and smoothly/sedately - just another car in the traffic sort of thing. I found that on one day the average was 14.2mpg, and the next day it was just over 18mpg! Sitting stationary in traffic etc. for longer will cause this of course, as well as very slow speeds where the consumption is generalyl ruined in any car. Exactly same route, exactly same style of driving as far as possible - a 25%+ difference over an identical route of only ca. 5 miles!
To illustrate, I did actually (and sadly) do this exercise for a day or two a few weeks ago. On consecutive days I reset the computer at the start of the journey to the station (this is a tube station and traffic is normalyl reasonably heavy). On both days I drover very gently and smoothly/sedately - just another car in the traffic sort of thing. I found that on one day the average was 14.2mpg, and the next day it was just over 18mpg! Sitting stationary in traffic etc. for longer will cause this of course, as well as very slow speeds where the consumption is generalyl ruined in any car. Exactly same route, exactly same style of driving as far as possible - a 25%+ difference over an identical route of only ca. 5 miles!
Don't think there's any reason for an argument about the fuel economy on a different car to that mentioned in the OP. My 325 is doing a 29mpg average according to the trip comp reading, and thats after regular resets.
I'd say that 25mpg is probably about right for that type of driving. Obviously longer uninterrupted journeys are going to return higher, but my reading is typically from town driving too so i'd say thats about right.
I'd say that 25mpg is probably about right for that type of driving. Obviously longer uninterrupted journeys are going to return higher, but my reading is typically from town driving too so i'd say thats about right.
Ok let me put it another way. £30 of fuel in the z3m i would do the same journey week in week out ie short start stop journeys & each journey being no more than 3 miles from my home. I was getting approx 200 miles out of £30 worth of fuel whereas the same journey's in the coupe with £30 worth of fuel (ok fuel prices has risen a couple of pence) i am lucky to get 150 miles out of £30. Now i am no genius but that means to me that the z3m was/is better on fuel. That is a fact & i cant explain why.
anonymous said:
[redacted]
Well, as has been mentioned, I think we can agree that 25mpg in town traffic driving is pretty good. I'd average around the same with the same type of driving, so i can see this being fairly accurate. I think my problem with the post itself is the vehicle comparison, as they are both very different.I think i can safely say that the mpg average on your 328 is about right, and to be honest, it seems you're actually getting quite a good average from the car at 25 around town. I typically use £40 per week doing a 25 mile round trip each day. So my average mpg is probably around the same as yours.
As has been said, unless we could see your actual driving conditions it is pointless to comment on the actual mpg. However, when comparing both cars, I would expect the amount of fuel that they sip to be pretty similar, unless the 328 is an auto in which case it will use noticeably more.
How many miles had the 'M' done? From experience once they are over about 60k they are surprisingly economical for a high specific output engine.
I tend to get 14-18mpg out of most cars driving around central London, but driving around Leicester where I occasionaly work I will get 23-28mpg. Both are in stop start conditions, but London has significantly more stop starts and no 30-40mph cruising to bring the averages up.
Did you put super unleaded in the 'M'? If so, the cost saving of putting normal fuel in the 328 should offset the increased cost that you are experiencing.
How many miles had the 'M' done? From experience once they are over about 60k they are surprisingly economical for a high specific output engine.
I tend to get 14-18mpg out of most cars driving around central London, but driving around Leicester where I occasionaly work I will get 23-28mpg. Both are in stop start conditions, but London has significantly more stop starts and no 30-40mph cruising to bring the averages up.
Did you put super unleaded in the 'M'? If so, the cost saving of putting normal fuel in the 328 should offset the increased cost that you are experiencing.
boobles said:
Lets not forget that the z3m is alot lighter than the coupe & with alot more horsepower, so in my opinion & according to my wallet, it was alot better on fuel than my coupe. I have owned both cars & can honestly say that the m was better on fuel.
so to summarizeYOU ARE SAYING
CAR A=the Z3M is lighter with good power and torque so less effort (Throttle) to move it in a stop start situation
car B=the 328ci is heavy and underpowered so more effort (throttle) to move it in a stop start situation
CAR A is ALWAYS going to be better on fuel in stop start cycle over CAR B
so what part of that is a surprise? the fact that the Light and powerfull Z3M was better on fuel than the overweight and underpowered 328ci!
battenburg2009 said:
boobles said:
Lets not forget that the z3m is alot lighter than the coupe & with alot more horsepower, so in my opinion & according to my wallet, it was alot better on fuel than my coupe. I have owned both cars & can honestly say that the m was better on fuel.
so to summarizeYOU ARE SAYING
CAR A=the Z3M is lighter with good power and torque so less effort (Throttle) to move it in a stop start situation
car B=the 328ci is heavy and underpowered so more effort (throttle) to move it in a stop start situation
CAR A is ALWAYS going to be better on fuel in stop start cycle over CAR B
so what part of that is a surprise? the fact that the Light and powerfull Z3M was better on fuel than the overweight and underpowered 328ci!
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