BMW 5-Series Real World MPG

Carnaught, not casting aspersions, just tell me how it's possible for a turbo charged engine to get that good mileage. That beats BMW's estimate. Maybe I'm making a mistake with going with a 530i instead of that 535i I saw. Of course, the difference in price is about $4,000. As the salesman explained to me, with twin turbos, there are extra moving parts that are not present on the other engine, so naturally, there would be a chance of problems, though they have not encountered any, so he says.

#15 of 22 Re: 25MPG on a Turbo Charged Car?? How? [carnaught] by richardga73

Dec 27, 2008 (9:43 am)

Replying to: carnaught (Dec 26, 2008 7:12 pm)

You guys are just funning us. Youre claiming that the 535 gets better mileage than the 335 which weighs 400 lbs less! Come on, you dont really believe the dash computer? Fill up, reset odometer to zero drive till its empty, refill then divide the mileage from zero by the gallons you just filled up. You, I am sure will be shocked by the difference in the ACTUAL mileage and what the computer says. I got about 19 MPG on a 330i no turbo. No way you are getting what you claimed.

Replies to this message:

carnaught (Dec 27, 2008 10:00 am)
- richardga73 (Dec 28, 2008 6:26 pm)
  - carnaught (Dec 29, 2008 11:16 am)

#16 of 22 Re: 25MPG on a Turbo Charged Car?? How? [richardga73] by carnaught

Dec 27, 2008 (10:00 am)

Replying to: richardga73 (Dec 27, 2008 9:43 am)

No way you are getting what you claimed.

Ya know, I really don't care if you guys believe me and the other poster(s) who claim great mileage with the twin turbo 6 engine. I've checked my "real mileage" against the computer and it comes out within 2-3mpg of the computer. I see and enjoy the great mileage with each tankful. (My '03 540's mileage was nothing to brag about.)

Since I am not a gearhead, I cannot give an explanation for the great mileage other than I am usually the only person in the car and I do not have a heavy foot.

Furthermore, I have no personal agenda in disclosing my mileage to this forum. I would not be fooling anyone but myself if I lie or embellish on this.

I'm done with this: peace...out.

Replies to this message:

richardga73 (Dec 28, 2008 6:26 pm)
- carnaught (Dec 29, 2008 11:16 am)

#17 of 22 Re: 25MPG on a Turbo Charged Car?? How? [carnaught] by richardga73

Dec 28, 2008 (6:26 pm)

Replying to: carnaught (Dec 27, 2008 10:00 am)

ok carnaught, no offense, we believe you. Since you get great mileage tell us something else about the 535. Please dont embellish! Compare to 540. And I guess you drove the 550 before you bought. How about steering feel? I have a Merc E63 and Im still pissed about the numbness of the feedback. How about some comparisons if you have the time between 550, 540, 535, and possibly a 3 if you owned one about your fun quotients. I hear the 535 is more tossable than the 550 due to weight.

Replies to this message:

carnaught (Dec 29, 2008 11:16 am)

#18 of 22 Re: 25MPG on a Turbo Charged Car?? How? [richardga73] by carnaught

Dec 29, 2008 (11:16 am)

Replying to: richardga73 (Dec 28, 2008 6:26 pm)

No offense taken.

I never drove/never considered a 550 after my so so experience with the 540. Although I'm sure 550 owners could testify to the positives of it, I felt that with its lighter weight and similar 0-60mph numbers, the 535 would be comparable to the 8 cylinder with better gas mileage. It fulfilled my expectations with about $5K (?) in savings. The 535 replaced my '06 3 Series and an '09 3 Series replaced an E350 Sport MB.

I personally find the 535 ALMOST as fun to drive as the two 3 Series which admittedly feel more nimble especially in the case of the '09. I feel that all of the BMW's despite their (gulp) slush boxes, are much more enjoyable to drive than the Mercedes. They all deliver more distinct road feel and less "numbness" than any of the Mercedes' (and especially the Lexus') I've owned, other than maybe an SL.

Keep in mind, much of this is subjective, and therefore IMHO. Others' opinions and experience(s) may vary and the three pedaled models offer even more driving experience.

#19 of 22 to all Bimmer-philes by carnaught

Dec 31, 2008 (4:08 pm)

(even if you're not)

Happy New Year to all !

Replies to this message:

bobbybuche (Feb 25, 2009 7:02 am)
- drmrmom (May 09, 2011 7:41 pm)

#20 of 22 1997 528i by bobbybuche

Feb 25, 2009 (7:02 am)

Replying to: carnaught (Dec 31, 2008 4:08 pm)

i have i 97 528i and on the highway at about 65-70 i get right at 35 mpg so i like that.....alot

Replies to this message:

drmrmom (May 09, 2011 7:41 pm)

#21 of 22 AWD gives at least 2mpg penalty by ishift

Nov 11, 2009 (5:51 am)

Just traded a 535xi wagon w/a manual trans (yes one of the few). Averaged 18-19 city and 24-26 hwy at 75 - 80 mph. My one month old 2010 535i sedan w/manual (had to order it) is getting 20-21 city so far with the same moderate driving style. That means I'm not afraid to use the power but I don't use it all the time. These numbers come from calculations at fill ups but are also backed up by the computer. Hope this helps. Bottom line is they both beat the sticker mileage. Of course if you read the fine print, the sticker gives a greater range than the big bold numbers anyway.

#22 of 22 Re: 1997 528i [bobbybuche] by drmrmom

May 09, 2011 (7:41 pm)

Replying to: bobbybuche (Feb 25, 2009 7:02 am)

I also have a 97 528i with 145,000 miles on it. We routinely get 35 mpg at 65 mph. Our car is a 5-speed manual. Using hypermilling techniques I am consistently getting 27 mpg in the city. It's really not that hard to do. When I drive the car normally I get 21 mpg in the city. Great car and simple to use and maintain.

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