[Surf4]

Apologies in advance as I'm sure you fellas get sick of annoying first timer questions but here goes, and I appreciate any useful answers in advance.

So, not new to BM's but its a long time since me E39. Just purchased a 2011 mint F25 3.0l M Sport. I should have got the 2.0l SE but the M sport looks better for a start. I hoped but expected the mpg to be a bit garbage but didn't expect the ride to be quite so firm so these are my thoughts after reading lots of your posts/discussions.

1) MPG is going to be rubbish 21-23mpg local and then 35-40mpg motorway. Anything I can do to improve this?

2) Its up on 19" rims with runflats.
Is the ride significantly more comfortable on non runflats?

3) Do you get better mpg on non runflats?

4) Looks like it has those adaptive dampers (it has the option to change the sport mode drivetrain and chassis but only has Sport+, sport and Normal mode, no eco mode, was I expecting too much?

Here goes all the cred......
5) Does anyone tow a caravan with one, if so whats the guide mpg I should expect?


Thanks all.

[kh0619]

There are two 3L engines for the F25.
A quick search returned mpg figures as 19/25 for N52 and 19/26 for N55 so quite a bit lower than what you are seeing. I'm surprised you are getting that high but I also drive almost exclusively in sport mode. I do not tow but I would imagine there being a significant reduction in mpg.

I put 18in rims with nonRFT Dunlop Winter Sport 4s on for winter and I do think it softens the ride. I just put the OEM 19in rims with RFT all seasons back on today and could tell the difference. I will switch to a nonRFT once these all seasons are worn.

[S4NoMore]

Originally Posted by kh0619

There are two 3L engines for the F25.
A quick search returned mpg figures as 19/25 for N52 and 19/26 for N55 so quite a bit lower than what you are seeing. I'm surprised you are getting that high but I also drive almost exclusively in sport mode.

Judging by his location those would be imperial figures. 22/37 to him is about 19/30 to us.

Originally Posted by Surf4

1) MPG is going to be rubbish 21-23mpg local and then 35-40mpg motorway. Anything I can do to improve this?

Plenty of hypermiling advice all over the internet, comes down to keeping a light foot and minimizing time spent idling.

Originally Posted by Surf4

2) Its up on 19" rims with runflats.
Is the ride significantly more comfortable on non runflats?

I picked mine up with worn out Pirelli runflats, 19" as well, and switched to non runflat Michelin Pilot Sport A/S 3+, noticeable improvement in harshness, I recommend. Change in fuel economy is unlikely to be measurable.

[shumster]

REMEMBER IT'S ABOUT THE SMILES PER GALLON NOT THE MILES PER GALLON

My RX8 gets like 12MPG City so the X3 is unreal in comparison.

I think 17-18MPG City and 30-33 MPG Highway is probably more realistic. We have an N55 35i and the short trips really burn through the gas.

IMO ECO mode really defeats the driving performance of having a BMW for minimal mpg gain.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by Surf4

1) MPG is going to be rubbish 21-23mpg local and then 35-40mpg motorway. Anything I can do to improve this?

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new ride.

It's a 2+ ton vehicle, if you wanted higher mpg, you should have selected a lighter vehicle, or at least a diesel engine. Not sure you'll ever get above 30mpg highway, and that's at a lower speed downwind. There's nothing you can do to dramatically improve the MPG, driving with a very light foot helps. If there were ways to increase MPG, the manufacturer would have already done it

[Wgosma]

Originally Posted by pungo

Welcome to the forum and congrats on your new ride.

It's a 2+ ton vehicle, if you wanted higher mpg, you should have selected a lighter vehicle, or at least a diesel engine. Not sure you'll ever get above 30mpg highway, and that's at a lower speed downwind. There's nothing you can do to dramatically improve the MPG, driving with a very light foot helps. If there were ways to increase MPG, the manufacturer would have already done it

Agreed, these are heavy vehicles and sitting high they push a good deal of air, wind resistance I have N52 non-turbo engine, about best mileage I get is (U.S.) 18 MPg city and 27 MPG at best on highway driving.....driving at modest speeds. If I push the car with heavy pedal numbers definitely drop.

[Surf4]

Thanks for all the replies, really helpful.
What I didn't mention was that due to the pandemic and restrictions I have it on a 14 day no quibble return and full refund option. I'm 5 days in and love the car just not the mpg.
I'm doing a big (UK) run tomorrow of 200 miles, I know thats nothing compared to the US but will give me a good mpg to take it or leave it I guess. Pretty convinced the F25 M Sport is for me but may have to drop to the smaller 2.0l Diesel for a few more mpg. Also i've looked everywhere and can't figure out why I have no "Comfort mode". I have adaptive damper drive train and chassis options but only "Normal, Sport and Sport+. Other cars seem to have Eco sport instead of Normal? Any ideas?

[andreigbs]

"Normal" may just be the equivalent of "Comfort"?

[najnad]

Originally Posted by Surf4

Thanks for all the replies, really helpful.
What I didn't mention was that due to the pandemic and restrictions I have it on a 14 day no quibble return and full refund option. I'm 5 days in and love the car just not the mpg.
I'm doing a big (UK) run tomorrow of 200 miles, I know thats nothing compared to the US but will give me a good mpg to take it or leave it I guess. Pretty convinced the F25 M Sport is for me but may have to drop to the smaller 2.0l Diesel for a few more mpg. Also i've looked everywhere and can't figure out why I have no "Comfort mode". I have adaptive damper drive train and chassis options but only "Normal, Sport and Sport+. Other cars seem to have Eco sport instead of Normal? Any ideas?

2011 didnt have the Comfort mode or Eco mode, just Normal/Sport/Sport+ as you mentioned.

[Surf4]

Thanks, I've just been using it in Normal and I'm not sure what's happening but dropped it off at the garage for the wheels balancing as there was vibration over 70mph and since it came back it seems a lot more smoother but sure its not just the balancing. Maybe I'm just getting used to it. Still love it though and have embarrassed a few sports car drivers from the traffic lights with its power. Happy days.

[pungo]

Originally Posted by Surf4

Still love it though and have embarrassed a few sports car drivers from the traffic lights with its power.

That will dramatically effect your mpg
Many sports car drivers are not traffic light racers, so depending what you were up against, they may not have tried very hard.

[Villa Steve]

[QUOTE=Surf4;27415499]Apologies in advance as I'm sure you fellas get sick of annoying first timer questions but here goes, and I appreciate any useful answers in advance.

So, not new to BM's but its a long time since me E39. Just purchased a 2011 mint F25 3.0l M Sport. I should have got the 2.0l SE but the M sport looks better for a start. I hoped but expected the mpg to be a bit garbage but didn't expect the ride to be quite so firm so these are my thoughts after reading lots of your posts/discussions.

1) MPG is going to be rubbish 21-23mpg local and then 35-40mpg motorway. Anything I can do to improve this?

2) Its up on 19" rims with runflats.
Is the ride significantly more comfortable on non runflats?

3) Do you get better mpg on non runflats?

4) Looks like it has those adaptive dampers (it has the option to change the sport mode drivetrain and chassis but only has Sport+, sport and Normal mode, no eco mode, was I expecting too much?

Here goes all the cred......
5) Does anyone tow a caravan with one, if so whats the guide mpg I should expect?

Hi
I have a 2015 2.0D auto and tow a caravan, I towed from Warwickshire to the Lake District last September and averaged 28mpg on the motorway. I also average about 38ish to the gallon when not towing depending on how heavy my right foot is.
I had my X3 mapped and it is now 235bhp and 440NM torque, this is more than enough for my Coachman caravan at 1650kg
Hoppe this helps

[Wgosma]

Regular "go-flat" tires typically yield significantly improved ride quality, I am guessing they don't have a significant impact on fuel consumption; best way to keep the gas usage under control is easy does it on the throttle

[martinisounds]

I just have to say i also recently just picked up a 2017 F25, and well i'm actually impressed with the fuel economy i have been getting. So far it is better than the e83 manual i had before this. Not worlds better, but improved. Both are I6's for reference.