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      08-20-2013, 05:40 PM   #1
troggy1969
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Economy improvement

Has anyone noticed an improvement in economy as the miles have adding up?

Mine has just passed 12,000 miles and on a slow 30 mile 'A' road trip, previously done when the car was new about a year ago, the average improved from 50mpg to 56mpg, not bad for a 3.0D.

Overall tank average checked when refilling has gone from mid 30's to low 40's.
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      08-20-2013, 11:31 PM   #2
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Half tank = better economy

I have tested the following scenario:

Full Tank = 760 km (eco-pro mode) / Full Tank = 472 miles (eco-pro mode)
Half Tank = 450 km (eco-pro mode) / Half Tank = 280 miles (eco-pro mode)

I realized that with a full tank, the car is very heavy and sluggish, especially if you always have eco-pro mode activated.

So I tried to see what my range and consumption would be if I did 2 X half tanks and the results were that I got a total of 900 km / 560 miles out of them.

So thats 140km more than a full tank.

The downside is more fuel stops, but I live in Cyprus - its an island and we drive short distances every day.

I know my answer is irrelevant to you question, but i thought it might be helpful.

Last edited by gstyle333; 08-20-2013 at 11:41 PM..
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      08-21-2013, 01:02 AM   #3
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I drive like a maniac...sport mode makes me do it. So much fun. Mileage hasn't greatly improved over my 8,800 miles but it's not the car's fault.
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      08-21-2013, 02:15 AM   #4
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Yes - the economy has improved as the car has "run-in" - but....

I'm curious - why spend the extra to get the faster 3.0l - and then be interested in economy? (not being rude, just curious?)
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      08-21-2013, 02:23 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gstyle333 View Post
I have tested the following scenario:

I realized that with a full tank, the car is very heavy and sluggish, especially if you always have eco-pro mode activated.
Wow, you notice a difference of ~30kg mass on the car?

That is two grocery bags full.

May I ask how much you weigh? Because I am 120kg and if I get rid 30kg of my own weigh, I can improve the mileage and the car handling that much?!?

By the way, car weighs around 1800kg, what you are saying is that 1,5% more mass and the car is horrible and consumes a lot more?


OP: I haven't notice dramatic improvement of the mileage, I have real consumed fuels listed here, so this is not a reading from the OBD:

http://www.spritmonitor.de/en/detail/507578.html
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      08-21-2013, 06:18 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodion View Post
Wow, you notice a difference of ~30kg mass on the car?
Since both gas (0.76) and diesel (0.83) weigh less than water, half a tank of gas would be closer to 25 kg.
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      08-21-2013, 07:22 AM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by deVisée View Post
Since both gas (0.76) and diesel (0.83) weigh less than water, half a tank of gas would be closer to 25 kg.
Well, 67/2 * 0,83 = 27,805 ,ie. ~ 30 kg

~ meant "approx."

with gas it would be ~25kg

regards from engineer
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      08-21-2013, 11:45 AM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by plymjack View Post
Yes - the economy has improved as the car has "run-in" - but....

I'm curious - why spend the extra to get the faster 3.0l - and then be interested in economy? (not being rude, just curious?)
I don't often, that's why it took a year for a like for like trip!! Just came back from a trip along some nice A & B roads and got 24.7mpg

The nice thing about the 3.0 is power when you need it at very little cost over a 2.0D. When you look at the difference in price once you've added metallic and auto then divide over 3 or 4 years ownership then it'll cost you less than a coffee a day

Last edited by troggy1969; 08-22-2013 at 10:28 AM..
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      08-21-2013, 01:27 PM   #9
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Yes...it makes a difference!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Rodion View Post
Wow, you notice a difference of ~30kg mass on the car?

That is two grocery bags full.

May I ask how much you weigh? Because I am 120kg and if I get rid 30kg of my own weigh, I can improve the mileage and the car handling that much?!?

By the way, car weighs around 1800kg, what you are saying is that 1,5% more mass and the car is horrible and consumes a lot more?


OP: I haven't notice dramatic improvement of the mileage, I have real consumed fuels listed here, so this is not a reading from the OBD:

http://www.spritmonitor.de/en/detail/507578.html
I weigh 115kg...that + the 30kg fule weight is like carrying a passenger with you every day wherever you go. Yes...it makes a difference!
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      08-22-2013, 03:52 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gstyle333 View Post
I weigh 115kg...that + the 30kg fule weight is like carrying a passenger with you every day wherever you go. Yes...it makes a difference!
Ok then. If you feel the difference, then you feel it. I don't feel difference. But I rather not argue with you after seeing your player card. Even though you are almost 20kg lighter and 7 cm shorter than I am

But I do feel little difference when the car is packed with four people, or full of beer (as we had during our trip to Germany and back).
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      08-22-2013, 03:54 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by troggy1969 View Post
The nice thing about the 3.0 is power when you need it at very little cost over a 2.0D. When you look at the difference in price once you've added metallic and auto then divide over 3 or 4 years ownership then it'll cost you less than a coffee a day
Lucky you! In here it is 14€ a day divided into 4 year ownership. Plus even more expensive yearly taxation and insurance
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      08-22-2013, 05:43 PM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gstyle333 View Post
I have tested the following scenario:

Full Tank = 760 km (eco-pro mode) / Full Tank = 472 miles (eco-pro mode)
Half Tank = 450 km (eco-pro mode) / Half Tank = 280 miles (eco-pro mode)

...So thats 140km more than a full tank.
Is this a test like 2 x 30 litres, compared to one fill of 60 litres? (Filling from something like 50km remaining).

Or is this a 'gauge' fill to half tank?

The first way knowing exact litres used, is the only way to get a near accurate fuel consumption, and to be able measure the difference using half tanks vs. a full tank.

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      08-23-2013, 02:32 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by troggy1969 View Post
The nice thing about the 3.0 is power when you need it at very little cost over a 2.0D. When you look at the difference in price once you've added metallic and auto then divide over 3 or 4 years ownership then it'll cost you less than a coffee a day
A fair point but when you're at the edge of your budget then the difference becomes just too much - and 99% of the time the 2.0d is perfect so for the 1% time its could not be justified.

I can't imagine how amazing the big petrol ones are - and how expensive they would be in this country to run.
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      08-23-2013, 05:23 AM   #14
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Here I did 200 miles last night, on the 2.0d manual. Mostly in Eco Pro mode, but not necessarily with an "echo pro foot". Mix of 1 hour motorway at about 80mph, and lots of A roads at ~60pmh. Trip computer told me I did 46.2mpg on arrival. I think thats pretty good considering.

In eco pro (at least on the manual box) you get the power "later" in the acceleration; the first part of each shift is sluggish, unless you keep the revs up. But overrall, I feel there is no difference in 0-60 time in Eco Pro or Sports mode, it's just that sports mode is more uncomfortable.
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      08-23-2013, 07:11 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by plymjack View Post
A fair point but when you're at the edge of your budget then the difference becomes just too much - and 99% of the time the 2.0d is perfect so for the 1% time its could not be justified.

I can't imagine how amazing the big petrol ones are - and how expensive they would be in this country to run.
Understand the budget is key to most car purchases, but the bigger engines make the vehicle, IMO. My son ran the E83 X3 2.0d, moved to an E83 3.0sd. Totally different feel to the X3 in every way, the 3.0sd feels in a different league to the 2.0d. Doesn't cost him much more to run, fuel is nearly the same, about 2mpg less.

As to the big petrol's, I drive a 535i, the N55 engine is a masterpiece. Comparing to a 520d.... there is no comparison. Even against the 3.0d engines, the petrol just feels so refined and at another level. I won't comment on the BMW V8 engines, other than say they just blow you away.

Personally I'd rather buy a used 'big engine' model than a new 4-pot model. Keep running costs per mile virtually the same, but put it in the tank rather than in depreciation. My E39 540i (new value £50k) cost less to run per mile over 4-years than my new E91 330d (£37k), again over a 4-year period.

Hence why getting into a nearly new 5-series 535i at a huge saving on its £60k list, and running at similar pence per mile costs as a new 520d.

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      08-25-2013, 04:29 PM   #16
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The price of these cars an you are worried about fuel economy?

BTW my car is sitting at 10.8 L/100km over 27000kms
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      08-25-2013, 04:50 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lbjgh View Post
The price of these cars an you are worried about fuel economy?

BTW my car is sitting at 10.8 L/100km over 27000kms
How does the price of fuel in Canada compare to Europe or the US? If it's US level pricing then you'll be in for a shock when you see European pricing.
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      08-25-2013, 04:51 PM   #18
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+1

Quote:
Originally Posted by lbjgh View Post
The price of these cars and you are worried about fuel economy?

BTW my car is sitting at 10.8 L/100km over 27000kms
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      08-25-2013, 05:10 PM   #19
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It looks like UK fuel prices are more than double those in Canada, about $2.30 cdn/l.
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      08-25-2013, 08:43 PM   #20
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Ya, but distances are much shorter... Driving from coast is a day trip where here it's a week long journey. So likely drive shorter distances no?

Quote:
Originally Posted by clivem2 View Post
It looks like UK fuel prices are more than double those in Canada, about $2.30 cdn/l.
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      08-25-2013, 10:05 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lbjgh View Post
The price of these cars an you are worried about fuel economy?
Yup. The 1st BMW CA that I talked to "informed" me that people who buy BMWs don't worry about mileage. Ass.

I do worry about mileage - take care of the pennies and nickles, and the dollars take care of them selves. Mileage is one of the thing that pays for my BMW. I'm actually spending less on the Premium fuel for my F25 than I was paying for Regular on my previous GM ride. I have a smaller fuel tank, yet I have better range, my F25 has better mileage, and at the end of the day I'm spending less money on higher priced fuel than I was on Regular.
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      08-26-2013, 03:03 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lbjgh View Post
Ya, but distances are much shorter... Driving from coast is a day trip where here it's a week long journey. So likely drive shorter distances no?
Hard to say, most people we these sorts of newish vehicles i would guess drive within a range of 10, 000 to 30, 000 miles per year in the UK. Some drive across Europe on vacation. Others fly long distances which some Canadians must do too....

I don't care about small mpg differences but I do care about differences of say 6+ mpg (UK gallons).
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Last edited by clivem2; 08-26-2013 at 03:35 AM..
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