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BMW 3-Series Real World MPG

74 messages,  Last post on Nov 16, 2008 at 8:48 AM

You are in the BMW 3-Series Forum. Your Hosts are pat & karens

What is this discussion about? BMW 3 Series, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Sedan


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#25 of 74
Re: New 330ci - Much Lower than expected [pattiluv] by jrynn
Oct 13, 2006 (3:03 pm)
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Replying to: pattiluv (Aug 10, 2006 7:54 am)

When I've asked the dealer and the manufacturer how many mpg the car should get, they say, they don't know. Now, do YOU believe that? I don't.
 
Actually, they are correct.
 
Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer "guarantees" minimum mileage for any vehicle. (For that matter, neither does the EPA/DOE.) You need to accept the EPA estimate for what it is, merely an "estimate."
 
In fact, the government fuel economy website says: "Most consumers will notice that their fuel economy differs from EPA's estimates. This can be caused by any of several factors related to driving conditions, driver behavior, vehicle maintenance, and fuel characteristics as explained here."
 
More importantly, you should realize that BMW actually DOES give buyers a heads up that their expectations for mileage need to be kept in check. Look at the "technical data" information on the BMW website for the 2006 330ci in particular. It says clearly: "EPA est. mpg, city/highway. Your actual mileage will vary, depending upon speed, driving habits, trip length and driving conditions; actual mileage will most likely be lower." (I would be surprised if the same disclaimer weren't in the printed brochure, as well.)
 
I'm sorry you are disappointed in your gas mileage. I hope your car's mileage improves over time. (I've had that experience to some extent with my BMW's and to a much greater extent with my Acura.) But please bear in mind, neither the government nor BMW knows EXACTLY how you drive or in EXACTLY what conditions, so neither can tell you EXACTLY what mileage to expect.
#26 of 74
Re: 2003 325i mileage by pekingrick
Nov 06, 2006 (5:30 am)
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Replying to: tropes (Aug 10, 2006 5:31 pm)

I've got a 2006 325i - the mileage during break-in was definitely low - but I now get 10km/L (approx 23 mpg) in stop-n-go hwy commuting to work - less with the a/c on. I have gotten a high of 15.1km/L (approx 35.1mpg) from Bakersfield to Long Beach (a distance of approx 200 km - about 121 miles. However, normal highway mileage averages 12.5 km/L (approx 29.8 mpg)- just as expected. I use cruise control regularly to keep my speed no higher than 10 km/h above the speed limit (otherwise I can - and will - get ticketed for speeding, and I'm old enough that I don't want to keep paying for traffic school and higher insurance rates).
#27 of 74
15mpg on the city. 25mpg on the highway by dridmang
Dec 06, 2006 (6:42 pm)
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Just bought a 2003 330 used with about 60k on it. I drive very conservatively and still get 15mpg in the city. My own calculations confirm what gets read on the on board computer. 15mpg seems very low for this car. Air filter is new and tire pressure is good. I have a feeling the previous owner didn't use synthetic oil on his last oil change. Not sure if that can affect gas mileage.
#28 of 74
Re: 15mpg on the city. 25mpg on the highway [dridmang] by shipo
Dec 06, 2006 (8:45 pm)
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Replying to: dridmang (Dec 06, 2006 6:42 pm)

I'm going to go out on a twig here and say that as bad as it might be that your car might not have synthetic oil in it, it is highly unlikely that your problem is the oil. Either way, get that oil out of there and put some Mobil 1 0W-40 or some German made Castrol Syntec 0W-30 in it.
 
Now, about your mileage. It's bad, very bad. On my 2002 530i 5-Speed I never got less than 22 even when driving in heavy NYC metro traffic, and got more like 31 at a steady 75 on the highway. There are a couple of things that I'd do were I in your shoes (beyond getting new oil in it that is).
 
1) Have the ODB-II system checked for any error codes. If some are found, have them fixed at either your local BMW dealership or at a good indy shop.
2) If #1 bears no fruit, I'd have a cylinder leak down test performed on all six cylinders. If one or more test low, I'd have a bore-scope performed to see what is wrong (i.e. valves or cylinder walls/rings).
3) Failing the above two, I'd have the engine control computer (OBC) reflashed with the latest firmware from your local BMW dealership.
 
Let us know how you make out.
 
Best Regards,
Shipo
#29 of 74
Re: 15mpg on the city. 25mpg on the highway [dridmang] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Dec 07, 2006 (8:30 am)
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Replying to: dridmang (Dec 06, 2006 6:42 pm)

Effect of oil type on gas mileage would be very minimal unless it were radically heavy oil.
#30 of 74
How long is break-in period? by absolutic
Mar 06, 2007 (8:07 am)
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How long is a break-in period? I've had the car ('07 328i auto) for 6 days. The car came with a full gas tank and that averaged 14 mpg. But then I was trying DS and various manual shift options.
 
The second tank now averages 18 mpg. My driving is 80city/20freeway with heavy stop-and-go and traffic jams everywhere I go (Los Angeles Area). I do hope this is not going to to be 14mpg City/30mpg Freeway. If I get 18mpg or higher average I will be extatic, as my last car ML350 averaged 12.5mpg, and JGC before it averaged 13. In fact I've never owned a car that averaged over 15mpg in Los Angeles. Hopefully this would be first. )))
#31 of 74
Re: How long is break-in period? [absolutic] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Mar 06, 2007 (8:09 am)
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Replying to: absolutic (Mar 06, 2007 8:07 am)

Well break-in is probably no more than 1,000 miles but improvement in fuel mileage---that's a good question---from reading various people's experiences, the average claim is that a car's fuel mileage can continue to improve up to 20,000 miles....and then, remain steady for a long time, and then, naturally, as the car ages, the fuel mileage will start to fall off again. Kinda like people!
#32 of 74
Re: How long is break-in period? [Mr_Shiftright] by absolutic
Mar 06, 2007 (9:52 am)
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Replying to: Mr_Shiftright (Mar 06, 2007 8:09 am)

Well break-in is probably no more than 1,000 miles but improvement in fuel mileage---that's a good question---from reading various people's experiences, the average claim is that a car's fuel mileage can continue to improve up to 20,000 miles....and then, remain steady for a long time, and then, naturally, as the car ages, the fuel mileage will start to fall off again. Kinda like people!
 
Kinda like people....I am sitting trying to decide whether my mileage remains steady or falling off again
#33 of 74
Re: How long is break-in period? [absolutic] by Mr_Shiftright HOST
Mar 06, 2007 (10:06 am)
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Replying to: absolutic (Mar 06, 2007 9:52 am)

Wait til you hit 50...that's about 10 in car years and 7 in dog years
#34 of 74
Re: New 330ci - Much Lower than expected [jrynn] by vegaszen
May 04, 2007 (9:30 am)
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Replying to: jrynn (Oct 13, 2006 3:03 pm)

03 325
I have always gotten the same 20mpg.
I drive slow off the redlight and then I continue to accellerate.......to very very very very fast speeds.
I don't 0-60 quick, but I continue to excellerate.
 
I think this milage is good and acceptable.
paperwork says 21-29.
so,
my 07 335 that states 20-29 SHOULD get 19mpg.
 
I gave up one mile per gallon for twin freakin' turbos~~~~!!!
 
Perhaps those getting less mpg should examine their driving style; I really think it affect mpg.
 
K

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