BMW X3 and BMW X5 Real World MPG

I have a 2004 X3 2.5 Canadian version. Just drove to Ellicottville NY and back and I got 25 U.S. miles per gallon. I was surprised! My low is usually 18 MPG in winter/city driving and has dipped to 16 with lots of warm up and cold weather. Average mixed driving is between 22 and 24 MPG (U.S.).

Overall, I think it is great mileage for a car with this much power and weight.

#13 of 37 X3 3.0(auto) real-world MPG by jrynn

Oct 08, 2006 (5:17 pm)

X3 3.0(auto) -

High: 23.27 (pure highway)
Low: 14.29 (pure city; typically mid/high 15's in-town)
Avg: 16.66 (HEAVILY weighted toward city/suburban driving)

Replies to this message:

softerik (Dec 19, 2006 7:25 am)
- jrynn (Dec 21, 2006 2:10 pm)

#14 of 37 2004 x3 consumption has increased suddenly !! by softerik

Dec 19, 2006 (7:25 am)

Replying to: jrynn (Oct 08, 2006 5:17 pm)

Hi everyone!

I am a owner of a 2004 X3 with 2.5i Aut. Trans. with 33.000km, Canada model.

Since (around 3 weeks), my fuel consumption has inreased! It pass to a average of 10L/100km to 14L/100km !!

Can it be caused by;

Cold weather ?

Tune-up is needed ?

Dealer adjustement or recall or something else relate with engine computer ?

Also note that Last month i went to my dealer to check the Onboard computer for the in dash average fuel consumption L/100km because after a while it seem to freeze, i alway have to reset to putting back on !!! Dealer say that its normal !! Weird !

Is there someone having similar experience ?

Your help will be apreciate

Erik

Replies to this message:

jrynn (Dec 21, 2006 2:10 pm)

#15 of 37 Re: 2004 x3 consumption has increased suddenly !! [softerik] by jrynn

Dec 21, 2006 (2:10 pm)

Replying to: softerik (Dec 19, 2006 7:25 am)

From a Chevron corporate website:

*****

Climate

Winter weather conditions can combine to lower fuel economy 20 percent, compared with the summer. In cold weather, a richer fuel-air mixture is required to start and warm up the engine. Also, much of the warmup may be done at idle (zero fuel economy) because of the need to defog or defrost windows. (During defogging/defrosting, many vehicles not only heat the air but use the air conditioner to dehumidify it.) More energy is required to overcome the resistance created by the higher viscosities of cold lubricants � engine oil, transmission fluid, and differential lubricant. Head winds increase air resistance; rain necessitates windshield wiper use; water or snow on the road increase tire-rolling resistance; and bad weather in general requires slowing to less fuel-efficient speeds.

In summer, head winds increase air resistance, and higher temperatures increase air conditioner use.

*****

Of course, the fuel consumption difference you're experiencing -- 10L to 14L per 1000km is greater than 20%. And if you didn't see a similar pattern in previous winters with your 2004, then it's hard to imagine the cause is simply weather/winter-time oxygenated fuel.

Hope you get it sorted out soon.

#16 of 37 2006 3.0 BMW X3 Real-world MPG by matrsoskin

Dec 25, 2006 (3:37 pm)

I have 2006 BMW X3 with auto transmission.
So far, I have put 9,200 miles on it and the numbers are:

City - 17.5 mpg

Highway - 25 mpg. On the 100 mi flat highway stretch I was able to get 26 mpg.

Matroskin

#17 of 37 Re: BMW X3 & X5: MPG - Real World Numbers [tidester] by greg45

Jan 24, 2007 (6:13 pm)

Replying to: tidester (Aug 03, 2006 2:04 am)

If somebody has this figured out, it'll save me the math. My '04 X3 2.5L gets a miserable 15L/100KM, bouncing around 14.5 to 16. I'm curious (but lazy? Maybe stupid?) and wondering what that nets out for MPG. Thanks.

Replies to this message:

ghall (Feb 16, 2007 2:21 pm)
- nyccarguy (Nov 12, 2007 9:05 pm)
  - roadburner (Nov 13, 2007 12:24 pm) and 2 more...

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