UK 2.0D mpg nowhere near BMW claim

gIzzE · 12-05-2015, 09:03 AM

My 20d gets 38mpg calculated over the last year and 20,000 miles.

The OBC was reading 44mpg, the reality was 38mpg, I have adjusted it in the settings and now spot on.

So if you think the OBC is bad, work it out properly and you will be properly disappointed.

Mine has pano roof, 19" sport wheels with all season tyres, it is awd, it is an auto and it is a big heavy car, 38mpg is pretty impressive imho.

I get close to 50mpg on the motorway, and have had 700 miles from a single tank, but most tank fills are 450 miles and 38mpg.

If I followed the EU test I could get the figures, when I was on 17" wheels, or pretty close, my urban figure was 46mpg from memory though (2013 SE auto).
But I never drive like that so pointless.

The official figures tell you what you will get if you follow the test, nothing else, they don't tell you what you will get, and neither can they be used to compare cars, the test is an average of 39mph, so drive at 70 and it tells you nothing.

Tony golfer · 12-06-2015, 03:32 PM

Thanks for all your replies!
I was quoting imperial MPG and in comfort mode driving a mix of town and motorways at steady speeds!
The 3 litre is very silky and quiet so its the price you pay!
Tony golfer

Flipflop99 · 12-12-2015, 03:07 PM

Our 4000 mile 2015 2.0d X3 does 43mpg (indicated) and 500 miles to a tank nearly all the time. For a near two ton, 4 wheel drive car with an incredible amount shove for a 2.0d, I'll take 43 mpg all day long. I hate ECOpro mode and never use it. The X3 has the most impressive Diesel engine I've ever experienced. The power, economy and refinement in comparison to so many other diesels I drive at work is second to none. I didn't buy the car expecting 55mpg and I would never trust anything a salesman ever told me in a month of Sunday's. Merry Christmas all!

plymjack · 12-12-2015, 03:53 PM

We have an indicated avg of 37.9mpg - we use it 70% longer trips 30% town so reall OK with that..... Have had 40mpg @ 70mph on a 7 hour run before but it sits at 85 on most motorways so happy with the 40 ish we get...

Tjalle · 12-13-2015, 12:53 AM

I have put a black tape over accumulated fuel consumption- just enjoying power and engine/exhaust sound. Waiting for my Klappenshalldämpfer for even greater joy!

gIzzE · 12-14-2015, 03:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flipflop99

Our 4000 mile 2015 2.0d X3 does 43mpg (indicated) and 500 miles to a tank nearly all the time. For a near two ton, 4 wheel drive car with an incredible amount shove for a 2.0d, I'll take 43 mpg all day long. I hate ECOpro mode and never use it. The X3 has the most impressive Diesel engine I've ever experienced. The power, economy and refinement in comparison to so many other diesels I drive at work is second to none. I didn't buy the car expecting 55mpg and I would never trust anything a salesman ever told me in a month of Sunday's. Merry Christmas all!

The fuel tank is 14.7 gallons, you can get 15 gallons in there when empty, but for arguments sake let's say we put in 14 galloons, so we are leaving 4.5 litres in the tank for reserve.
If you do 500 miles that is 35mpg.

Hence why I said I calibrated my OBC, it was saying 44mpg, after calibrating it it now reads a very, very accurate 38mpg.
In fact the last 4,000 miles have read 37.5mpg on the obc and calculated is 37.7mpg.

43mpg will give you around 625 miles to a fill up.

gIzzE · 12-14-2015, 03:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tjalle

I have put a black tape over accumulated fuel consumption- just enjoying power and engine/exhaust sound. Waiting for my Klappenshalldämpfer for even greater joy!

The problem is, you buy a diesel to get good economy, and it sort of takes over the ownership experience, economy watching I mean.

If BMW UK released the 35i here I would swap tomorrow, I loved my 335i sport touring, and I really like the X3, I just wish it had that engine in it.
I am now down to 20,000 miles a year, so the savings going diesel just don't really make sense to me, sure it helps justify a new car but when you work out total ownership costs the extra cost for going with such a sweet engine is negligible.

I am hoping with the VW scandal we will see a return to some petrol models on the next version.

atrueb · 12-14-2015, 04:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gIzzE

The problem is, you buy a diesel to get good economy, and it sort of takes over the ownership experience, economy watching I mean.

.

I totally hear you. I have 2l diesel which gets over nearly 1000km per tank. That's awesome I. Use that thought to compensate for the foregone fun with a petrol. Mind you though, here in Switzerland the 35i costs 40% more than the 20d which also has 400nm torque. In light of the fuel economy AND way higher price for same torque, the 20d is pretty cool. Just missing that horsepower and sound.....

gIzzE · 12-14-2015, 08:15 AM

I'm not knocking the 20d, I find it remarkable performance wise, mine is mapped and was showing 226bhp (186bhp standard) and now feels incredibly rapid day to day, obviously not as fast as my M3s or mapped 335i's, but never does it feel lacking.

What I am not sure is what the 0-60mph times are? The official ones I mean?
I have an AP22 timing meter from Race Technology, it is very accurate and was calibrated at the strip a few years back.
I am seeing 7 seconds to 60mph from the tuned 20d, which is quicker than I was expecting from a 4cyl diesel, I thought the official figure was 8.4 seconds? Maybe that was to 100km/h which is 62mph?

Anyway, the 20d is fine, if a little agricultural when pressing on, just that once you get used to something you do think "Now, if only I had....."

gIzzE · 12-14-2015, 08:20 AM

Actually, just looked on here...

http://www.060calculator.com

184PS
3800lbs
0-100km/h
8.5 seconds

226HP
3800lbs
0-60mph
7.1 seconds

So I guess that is right.

Ranger 6 · 12-16-2015, 09:16 AM

That's good for a 2.0, as fast as my old 3.0!!

Have a phone app which has measured mine at 5.39. Wonder what a remap would get......?

gIzzE · 12-16-2015, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger 6

That's good for a 2.0, as fast as my old 3.0!!

Have a phone app which has measured mine at 5.39. Wonder what a remap would get......?

You would get it down to around 4.9 I would guess.

I am trying to decide what to do with my X3, either sell up and have a change, keep it for a year and then see what the F-Pace etc. offers, or swap now for a 30d or 35d and run that for 5 years.

Ranger 6 · 12-17-2015, 04:35 AM

F-Pace is looking very good. A good looking, quality product from what I've seen.

Having said that I love my 35d, it is an excellent performer, comfortable and despite comments on another forum

a nice place to sit. I'm planning to keep it for a while.

There's still very little to touch the 35d from a performance perspective without going to a cayenne/macan turbo or one of the VAG 4.2 engined beasts - all of which have associated cost differences.

gIzzE · 12-17-2015, 06:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger 6

F-Pace is looking very good. A good looking, quality product from what I've seen.

Having said that I love my 35d, it is an excellent performer, comfortable and despite comments on another forum

a nice place to sit. I'm planning to keep it for a while.

There's still very little to touch the 35d from a performance perspective without going to a cayenne/macan turbo or one of the VAG 4.2 engined beasts - all of which have associated cost differences.

Haha, I have no problem with the interior of the X3, it is just I think the others, especially Mercedes have really moved the game on with their interiors on the cars they are now releasing.

I personally think BMW have led the way the last generation, especially on the 5 and 7 Series compared with the E and S and the A6 and A8, but those new Merc interiors are great.

Would it stop me buying a 30d or 35d X3? No, but I wouldn't buy one new at this stage of the lifecycle, I think I would rather wait and see what the new X3 has to offer.

Pinewood · 02-08-2016, 06:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ranger 6

Grounds for action? Yes, drive differently.....

Mine's a 35d and my average is 33mpg (imperial) and it's better than my old 3.0d so I'm happy.

Have only had my x30d for 3 weeks so far, and it's averaging 33mpg in urban and central London driving. Big test come this weekend when I'll be leaving the South Bucks area for the Midlands and then Manchester.
My plan is to drive at a consistent speed of around 80mph in comfort mode and at least 1/2 a tank of regular diesel.
So far I'm happy with 33mpg as my old E60 530d would give around 31mpg.
This brute is bigger,heavier,yet faster!

Ranger 6 · 02-09-2016, 03:12 AM

Enjoy it

Mine is still on 33mpg - it appears that no change in driving habits will affect it. I haven't tried hyper-miling though.... (And I'm not sure I want to!)

Peter_R · 02-09-2016, 07:19 AM

A lot depends on the types of trips you do. Being retired, but still having two cars, we do all short shopping and local runs using my wife's little SEAT IBIZA SC 1.4 litre petrol (2008). By the way it averages less than the X3.

This means our X3 xDrive 30d M Sport (63 plate) always does longish runs of around 50 miles or more and in the warmer weather, and over 10,000 miles it has averaged 38.0 mpg. This is not the on board computer calculation, it is actual figures using fuelly.com . By the way, the car is never using for any commuting.

For a 3 litre 6 pot diesel in such such a heavy car driven at moderate speeds, I think this is phenomenal. I expect this to drop when we sell the second car and use the X3 for short runs and in the cold weather.

bounderboy · 02-16-2016, 06:14 AM

I don't reset my computer I do mainly A road driving with little stop starting - i do occasional Motorways - I don't drive harshly but I must do something wrong as my trip shows UK 34.0MPG.

I would love to know how I could increase that without life being a misery.. I am too disappointed with the fuel return.

However I did get the same 34MPG from my previous Volvo V60 2.0 D3 so know I am the consistent in this test..

Peter_R · 02-16-2016, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bounderboy

I don't reset my computer I do mainly A road driving with little stop starting - i do occasional Motorways - I don't drive harshly but I must do something wrong as my trip shows UK 34.0MPG.

I would love to know how I could increase that without life being a misery.. I am too disappointed with the fuel return.

However I did get the same 34MPG from my previous Volvo V60 2.0 D3 so know I am the consistent in this test..

The key point here is ...

Quote:

Originally Posted by bounderboy

my trip shows UK 34.0MPG.

Just remember the trip computer (single journey and the overall consumption) readouts are a one size fits all average readout for all drivers.

You can adjust this trip computer software up and down in the hidden menu to change these figures to make them read reasonably accurately and fairly close to the actual fuel consumption you are getting.

To get an accurate reading over time, you first need to join fuelly.com http://www.fuelly.com/ and take very accurate readings of fuel uptakes against mileage and enter them into the program. If you are serious about this (many aren't or do not have the time), then over at least 5000 miles or perhaps more, you will get good representation in mpg that will reflect your driving habits.

When you have driven the 5000 miles or more and have obtained an accurate reading, this is when you carry out the adjustment in the hidden menu.

I do not have the instructions to hand do the adjustments to the hidden menu, but if I can locate the thread where they are posted I will provide the link. If the member who kindly posted the information sees this he may very well post it.

gIzzE · 02-16-2016, 08:47 AM

This was the instructions I posted before....

Calibrate BMW MPG

1. Hold down the odometer reset button and turn the ignition on by pushing start/stop button.
2. Release the odometer reset button, and you should see a menu of 4 items on the dashboard. From here on, use the odo-reset button to advance to the next entry through a short press, and to select through a long press.
3. Choose the one that says Unlock through the above, which will take you to a passkey screen. Your passkey is the sum of the last 5 digits of your VIN. Increment the two-digit number until you get to it, and with the long press of the odo button, select it.
4.then scroll down to correction factor and modify it from 1000 to whatever you require, mine is at 964 and it's now almost spot on every fill up.

Standard factor is 1000 going up above 1000 reduces the mpg on the dash, below 1000 increases the mpg reading.

I got this from someone else but it worked for me. The OBC on mine was 5 - 7% optimistic, so I changed it from the default setting of 1000 up to 1060 (so -6%) and now the OBC is rarely more than 1% away from the brim to brim measurement.

Also, definitely do reset your OBC as it may be better as the miles rack up etc.

buze · 02-22-2016, 02:22 AM

I very often do >50mpg on my 2.0L with moonroof with a lightly loaded car with 2 people, on a combination of A roads and M4. Manual gearbox tho.

I use ECO Pro on these trips -- the 'secret' of ECO pro is that on the manual gearbox it is actually a lot more fun to drive than the 'comfort' mode, you just have to keep the revs up if you want power. Perhaps that's something you can't easily to on the auto gearbox..?

And yeah, driving style must matter -- I brake very little, I try to keep my speed constant even on open roads. Just work on your trajectories getting in and out of corners; use engine braking, etc.

Here's a trip I made back from wales, using only A roads mostly, and not being /particularly/ nice to the throttle. I know the road very well, so I tend to pass a couple of cars at a time something; getting from 6th yo 4th and flooring it...

Peter_R · 02-22-2016, 05:06 AM

buze

Impressive figures from the onboard computer I must say. You should be aware that the figures might be skewed by the computer because of the "one size fits all" algorithm that is used to "estimate" the figures, that might need correcting.

See my previous post about getting accurate figures with fuelly.com and the gIzzE post on how to correct the computer.

With regards to using manual vs auto box, the auto box is the best way to get a better consumption. So say BMW.

12-05-2015, 09:03 AM	#23
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	My 20d gets 38mpg calculated over the last year and 20,000 miles. The OBC was reading 44mpg, the reality was 38mpg, I have adjusted it in the settings and now spot on. So if you think the OBC is bad, work it out properly and you will be properly disappointed. Mine has pano roof, 19" sport wheels with all season tyres, it is awd, it is an auto and it is a big heavy car, 38mpg is pretty impressive imho. I get close to 50mpg on the motorway, and have had 700 miles from a single tank, but most tank fills are 450 miles and 38mpg. If I followed the EU test I could get the figures, when I was on 17" wheels, or pretty close, my urban figure was 46mpg from memory though (2013 SE auto). But I never drive like that so pointless. The official figures tell you what you will get if you follow the test, nothing else, they don't tell you what you will get, and neither can they be used to compare cars, the test is an average of 39mph, so drive at 70 and it tells you nothing.
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12-06-2015, 03:32 PM	#24
Tony golfer Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: F25 X3 xDrive3.0d M Sport Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Hull iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all your replies! I was quoting imperial MPG and in comfort mode driving a mix of town and motorways at steady speeds! The 3 litre is very silky and quiet so its the price you pay! Tony golfer
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12-12-2015, 03:07 PM	#25
Flipflop99 Private 4 Rep 55 Posts Drives: X3 LCI 2.0d SE Auto Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: South West UK iTrader: (0)	Our 4000 mile 2015 2.0d X3 does 43mpg (indicated) and 500 miles to a tank nearly all the time. For a near two ton, 4 wheel drive car with an incredible amount shove for a 2.0d, I'll take 43 mpg all day long. I hate ECOpro mode and never use it. The X3 has the most impressive Diesel engine I've ever experienced. The power, economy and refinement in comparison to so many other diesels I drive at work is second to none. I didn't buy the car expecting 55mpg and I would never trust anything a salesman ever told me in a month of Sunday's. Merry Christmas all! Last edited by Flipflop99; 12-13-2015 at 10:43 AM.. Reason: Typo
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12-12-2015, 03:53 PM	#26
plymjack Nuclear Chief of the Watch 120 Rep 637 Posts Drives: X3 (F25) 2.0D, i3 BEV Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Plymouth, UK iTrader: (0)	We have an indicated avg of 37.9mpg - we use it 70% longer trips 30% town so reall OK with that..... Have had 40mpg @ 70mph on a 7 hour run before but it sits at 85 on most motorways so happy with the 40 ish we get... __________________ BMW i3 (BEV) 2014. . Capparis White. . Park Assist, Comfort Access, Enhanced USB BMW X3 (F25) xDrive20d SE 2017. . . . Oyster Leather . . 8 Speed Servotronic. .RFTs. . Electric Seats Canon 70D 500mm, 85mm, 40mm, 24mm Sony QX10 & GoPro Hero 3
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12-13-2015, 12:53 AM	#27
Tjalle Major 183 Rep 1,259 Posts Drives: X4 35i Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	I have put a black tape over accumulated fuel consumption- just enjoying power and engine/exhaust sound. Waiting for my Klappenshalldämpfer for even greater joy!
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12-14-2015, 08:15 AM	#31
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	I'm not knocking the 20d, I find it remarkable performance wise, mine is mapped and was showing 226bhp (186bhp standard) and now feels incredibly rapid day to day, obviously not as fast as my M3s or mapped 335i's, but never does it feel lacking. What I am not sure is what the 0-60mph times are? The official ones I mean? I have an AP22 timing meter from Race Technology, it is very accurate and was calibrated at the strip a few years back. I am seeing 7 seconds to 60mph from the tuned 20d, which is quicker than I was expecting from a 4cyl diesel, I thought the official figure was 8.4 seconds? Maybe that was to 100km/h which is 62mph? Anyway, the 20d is fine, if a little agricultural when pressing on, just that once you get used to something you do think "Now, if only I had....."
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12-14-2015, 08:20 AM	#32
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	Actually, just looked on here... http://www.060calculator.com 184PS 3800lbs 0-100km/h 8.5 seconds 226HP 3800lbs 0-60mph 7.1 seconds So I guess that is right.
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12-16-2015, 09:16 AM	#33
Ranger 6 Yorkshireman trapped in a Berkshire postcode 12 Rep 213 Posts Drives: X3 3.0d M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW X3 [0.00]	That's good for a 2.0, as fast as my old 3.0!! Have a phone app which has measured mine at 5.39. Wonder what a remap would get......?
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12-17-2015, 04:35 AM	#35
Ranger 6 Yorkshireman trapped in a Berkshire postcode 12 Rep 213 Posts Drives: X3 3.0d M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW X3 [0.00]	F-Pace is looking very good. A good looking, quality product from what I've seen. Having said that I love my 35d, it is an excellent performer, comfortable and despite comments on another forum a nice place to sit. I'm planning to keep it for a while. There's still very little to touch the 35d from a performance perspective without going to a cayenne/macan turbo or one of the VAG 4.2 engined beasts - all of which have associated cost differences.
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02-09-2016, 03:12 AM	#38
Ranger 6 Yorkshireman trapped in a Berkshire postcode 12 Rep 213 Posts Drives: X3 3.0d M-Sport Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: UK iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW X3 [0.00]	Enjoy it Mine is still on 33mpg - it appears that no change in driving habits will affect it. I haven't tried hyper-miling though.... (And I'm not sure I want to!)
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02-09-2016, 07:19 AM	#39
Peter_R Air Vice Marshall 256 Rep 1,639 Posts Drives: X1 LCI xDrive 2.0i M Sport Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Somewhere in Blighty (UK) iTrader: (0)	A lot depends on the types of trips you do. Being retired, but still having two cars, we do all short shopping and local runs using my wife's little SEAT IBIZA SC 1.4 litre petrol (2008). By the way it averages less than the X3. This means our X3 xDrive 30d M Sport (63 plate) always does longish runs of around 50 miles or more and in the warmer weather, and over 10,000 miles it has averaged 38.0 mpg. This is not the on board computer calculation, it is actual figures using fuelly.com . By the way, the car is never using for any commuting. For a 3 litre 6 pot diesel in such such a heavy car driven at moderate speeds, I think this is phenomenal. I expect this to drop when we sell the second car and use the X3 for short runs and in the cold weather.
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02-16-2016, 06:14 AM	#40
bounderboy Private First Class 6 Rep 180 Posts Drives: BMW X3 LCI 2.0d X-Line Join Date: May 2014 Location: United Kingdom iTrader: (0)	I don't reset my computer I do mainly A road driving with little stop starting - i do occasional Motorways - I don't drive harshly but I must do something wrong as my trip shows UK 34.0MPG. I would love to know how I could increase that without life being a misery.. I am too disappointed with the fuel return. However I did get the same 34MPG from my previous Volvo V60 2.0 D3 so know I am the consistent in this test..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-16-2016, 08:47 AM	#42
gIzzE Major General 363 Rep 5,984 Posts Drives: F11 + 911 C4 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Norfolk, UK. iTrader: (2)	This was the instructions I posted before.... Calibrate BMW MPG 1. Hold down the odometer reset button and turn the ignition on by pushing start/stop button. 2. Release the odometer reset button, and you should see a menu of 4 items on the dashboard. From here on, use the odo-reset button to advance to the next entry through a short press, and to select through a long press. 3. Choose the one that says Unlock through the above, which will take you to a passkey screen. Your passkey is the sum of the last 5 digits of your VIN. Increment the two-digit number until you get to it, and with the long press of the odo button, select it. 4.then scroll down to correction factor and modify it from 1000 to whatever you require, mine is at 964 and it's now almost spot on every fill up. Standard factor is 1000 going up above 1000 reduces the mpg on the dash, below 1000 increases the mpg reading. I got this from someone else but it worked for me. The OBC on mine was 5 - 7% optimistic, so I changed it from the default setting of 1000 up to 1060 (so -6%) and now the OBC is rarely more than 1% away from the brim to brim measurement. Also, definitely do reset your OBC as it may be better as the miles rack up etc.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-22-2016, 02:22 AM	#43
buze Owner 132 Rep 566 Posts Drives: G05 30d M-Sport Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Berkshire, Powys iTrader: (0) Garage List 2019 BMW X5 G05 30d ... [0.00] 1999 Z3 2.8L Roadster [0.00]	I very often do >50mpg on my 2.0L with moonroof with a lightly loaded car with 2 people, on a combination of A roads and M4. Manual gearbox tho. I use ECO Pro on these trips -- the 'secret' of ECO pro is that on the manual gearbox it is actually a lot more fun to drive than the 'comfort' mode, you just have to keep the revs up if you want power. Perhaps that's something you can't easily to on the auto gearbox..? And yeah, driving style must matter -- I brake very little, I try to keep my speed constant even on open roads. Just work on your trajectories getting in and out of corners; use engine braking, etc. Here's a trip I made back from wales, using only A roads mostly, and not being /particularly/ nice to the throttle. I know the road very well, so I tend to pass a couple of cars at a time something; getting from 6th yo 4th and flooring it... __________________ Received 190911: X5 30d M-Sport:Artic Grey:Comfort Pack:Tech Pack:Visibility Pack: Driver Assist Pro Pack:Heat Pack:Glass Roof:Leather Dash
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02-22-2016, 05:06 AM	#44
Peter_R Air Vice Marshall 256 Rep 1,639 Posts Drives: X1 LCI xDrive 2.0i M Sport Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Somewhere in Blighty (UK) iTrader: (0)	buze Impressive figures from the onboard computer I must say. You should be aware that the figures might be skewed by the computer because of the "one size fits all" algorithm that is used to "estimate" the figures, that might need correcting. See my previous post about getting accurate figures with fuelly.com and the gIzzE post on how to correct the computer. With regards to using manual vs auto box, the auto box is the best way to get a better consumption. So say BMW.
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