[walendvay]

am wondering if I should wait or go for an N52 based now. If it's just a couple of mpg, I may prefer the N52 non-turbo model. Less parts and no HPFP!!!

[Mako]

it will be more than a couple of miles, but depending on how you drive, as is always the case.

Look at it this way, turbo's normally don't add MPG to a car, compare the current 28i to the 35i, they even show the 35i as getting better MPG.

estimate I have seen based on the X1 would mean that the X3 with the same engine (added weight) should be around 22/32 MPG. I think with the turbo 4 there will be a bigger jump in highway mileage than in city. although if you have a heavy foot, still estimate around 24 combined, but thats still 20% better than a current 28i (for people who drive it hard). If you take it easy a lot I think you could see 26 MPG on average in this thing, worth the wait if its coming in Q4 2011, only a few more months away!

personally I am holding out for a 35D or the X3M. BMW will have an amazing lineup of engines in the next few years for the X3, 4 amazing and effecient engines (new 28i, 35i, 35D, M), Audi might be in trouble, at some point looks start to fade away and its the inner beauty that counts most

[Lucky13]

I think BMW quotes 16% improvement in milage. This would mke it 22 mpg city and 29 highway.

[skier219]

So far, my experience with turbo-4 engines in mid-size SUVs and wagons suggests they are a fool's paradise. They look good on paper, but you have to get on them so much that the honest real world gas mileage sucks (and is way below sticker specs). I hope to be proven otherwise in the case of the X3 -- would be a pleasant surprise. BMW would have to be able to do what Honda, Mazda, Subaru, VW, etc... haven't been able to do (all have had turbo-4's that are beaten on MPG by competitors with normally aspirated V6 engines).

[BXM3W]

I've waited this long, only a few more months to go. Hopefully we'll get an announcement in the next few months. Either way, my current thinking is ordering the next model year if the add the N20 or not. If the N20 is available I'm hoping worse case is 22/29 with 25 combined.

[Lucky13]

Have you ever seen a car get as good milage as what the EPA estimates are? I had a 2007 X3 which was rated 24 hwy and the best I ever got was about 22.5 on the hwy. Actually the only car I have ever owned that got what the sticker said is my wife's 2010Mini Clubman S. I think EPA is 26 city and 34 hwy and we get 28.5 around Columbia and 34-35 on trips. By the way it's a turbo 4 but it isn't 4000 lbs. I think the direct injection on the N20 will give it a big advantage over the inline 6 and it has so much more torque. I'm sure they tested it enough to know and they wouldn't be doing it if didn't help them meet the gov't new standards. I read they are not saving any money on the engine so why do it if it doesn't meet higher emission and mpg standards.

[clivem2]

Your most important decision is whether you'll be happy with 4 cylinders vs 6.

[skier219]

Originally Posted by Lucky13

Have you ever seen a car get as good milage as what the EPA estimates are?

I tend to average 27mpg in my Z4 s30i in sport mode, while still having fun with the top down. If I exercise more restraint, it easily matches or exceeds the 28mpg on the sticker. Pretty damn good if you ask me.

Of course, this assumes that the calculated mpg in the info center is correct; some trip computers are a bit optimistic...