F31 330d xdrive economy - not great
Discussion
I’ve just completed an 1800 mile round trip to the south of France and thought I'd post my fuel economy figures.
The car had 1300 miles on the clock at the start of the trip and it's got a TDI Tuning box on it which supposedly gives another 40+ bhp and 150+ NM of torque.
On the way down, I recorded 33mpg averaging 90-100mph most of the way. I used cruise control when I could.
As I was expecting a bit more I decided to take the tuning box off it for the journey back and averaged 35mpg with an average speed of 85-90 so not a lot better.
I did try running it in eco pro mode but this made no difference to the mpg except for giving me messages on the dash to reduce speed ! I also noticed it was more gentle on the throttle when resuming the set cruise control speed.
So overall;
Not that good on fuel
Maybe better after the engine has done a few more thousand miles?
TDI tuning box didn’t have any effect on MPG
TDI tuning box does give a bit more oomph but the standard engine is so good I’m not sure I really need it
ECO Pro doesn’t improve economy when cruising at high speed.
That said, I don’t really care that it only does 30ish mpg as it is a brilliant car, the engine is fabulous and it sounds great so it just encourages you to drive it hard. It does suffer a bit from buffeting when passing vans/trucks (maybe down to the estate body?) but other than that it was a totally relaxing drive.
Has anyone got anywhere near the 55mpg BMW advertise?
The car had 1300 miles on the clock at the start of the trip and it's got a TDI Tuning box on it which supposedly gives another 40+ bhp and 150+ NM of torque.
On the way down, I recorded 33mpg averaging 90-100mph most of the way. I used cruise control when I could.
As I was expecting a bit more I decided to take the tuning box off it for the journey back and averaged 35mpg with an average speed of 85-90 so not a lot better.
I did try running it in eco pro mode but this made no difference to the mpg except for giving me messages on the dash to reduce speed ! I also noticed it was more gentle on the throttle when resuming the set cruise control speed.
So overall;
Not that good on fuel
Maybe better after the engine has done a few more thousand miles?
TDI tuning box didn’t have any effect on MPG
TDI tuning box does give a bit more oomph but the standard engine is so good I’m not sure I really need it
ECO Pro doesn’t improve economy when cruising at high speed.
That said, I don’t really care that it only does 30ish mpg as it is a brilliant car, the engine is fabulous and it sounds great so it just encourages you to drive it hard. It does suffer a bit from buffeting when passing vans/trucks (maybe down to the estate body?) but other than that it was a totally relaxing drive.
Has anyone got anywhere near the 55mpg BMW advertise?
I guess the economy isn’t too bad considering the average speed although it felt like I went a fair bit slower on the way back without any real improvement in economy.
I’m only getting around 30 mpg on the urban cycle as well.
As I said, I don’t really care and measured it more out of interest than anything else.
I’m only getting around 30 mpg on the urban cycle as well.
As I said, I don’t really care and measured it more out of interest than anything else.
Hi all, thank you for your comments.
Just to say, I’m realistic about fuel economy and I bought the car for its performance, not on the basis that I’d get 55mpg. For me it’s about enjoying the power and driving it how I want to and if I get good economy then that’s a bonus.
What does surprise me is on a day to day basis driven gently mostly on the urban cycle my wife is only getting low 30’s which is a long way short of the combined cycle figure.
I'm just interested to know if anyone has managed to get anywhere near 50mpg ?
Just to say, I’m realistic about fuel economy and I bought the car for its performance, not on the basis that I’d get 55mpg. For me it’s about enjoying the power and driving it how I want to and if I get good economy then that’s a bonus.
What does surprise me is on a day to day basis driven gently mostly on the urban cycle my wife is only getting low 30’s which is a long way short of the combined cycle figure.
I'm just interested to know if anyone has managed to get anywhere near 50mpg ?
Frik said:
Anywho, to the OP, I wonder what the figures had been like of you'd have not used cruise. 90-100 mph uphill isn't the most efficient way to travel.
I'd say cruise isn't the most efficient method, as it can't see there is a big up hill after a downhill section where most drivers would build up some speed but the route through France was relatively flat so in this case it may only account for perhaps 1 mpg.The point of this thread was to really gauge if the mpg I achieved (33mpg at 90-100 mph and 35mpg 85-90) was typical for this model. I’m not that bothered as I can afford to drive it fast and not worry about the cost.
I went for a diesel because in the main my wife uses it and she is a gentle driver so I’d expect her restraint to offset the cost of my recklessness ! What I’m not seeing at the moment is the mpg improving much when she is behind the wheel. Perhaps it will as the engine and drivetrain loosen up over the next few thousand miles.
PS. I did get pulled by the cops as did lots of Frenchies by the way, as they’d set up a hidden speed trap on a toll section. 45 euro fine for doing an alleged 96mph, C'est la vie!
PPS. As a comparison of speed verses economy, at 145mph it only does 12 mpg !!
I went for a diesel because in the main my wife uses it and she is a gentle driver so I’d expect her restraint to offset the cost of my recklessness ! What I’m not seeing at the moment is the mpg improving much when she is behind the wheel. Perhaps it will as the engine and drivetrain loosen up over the next few thousand miles.
PS. I did get pulled by the cops as did lots of Frenchies by the way, as they’d set up a hidden speed trap on a toll section. 45 euro fine for doing an alleged 96mph, C'est la vie!
PPS. As a comparison of speed verses economy, at 145mph it only does 12 mpg !!
Sadly I do actually like the relaxed approach to performance a quick diesel gives, it easy to stonk along at speed without having to fish around with gears or being caught out not having enough revs that you get with petrol. The 8 speed auto in the BMW also results in a seemless shove as it keeps the diesel motor in it's sweet spot.
I do have a 911 to use when I want to really get stuck in so for me I have the best of both worlds.
I do have a 911 to use when I want to really get stuck in so for me I have the best of both worlds.
Edited by lambo911 on Thursday 9th January 11:56
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