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BMW 3-Series Real World MPG
Share your actual 3-series MPG with other owners here.
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DL
7K miles.... 22.9 MPG lifetime average in commuting/suburban driving..
I don't get to drive it a lot... But, at steady 70 MPH speeds, it is around 29-30 MPG... Probably 15-18 MPG on grocery runs..
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In town, well under 20 without any agressive driving as I respect the breakin period so far. I'll post again later.
Dont get me wrong, 28 on the hway is awesome! I love this car. We were going 90 today on I10 and when I told my wife and 12 yr old... they did not believe me. Smooth and quiet!
I am disappointed to say the least. Would love to hear about other's experiences. New and after break-in. And how long was break-in?
I am at about 60-65% of what to expect. There seems to be little I can do.
I wish I had known this before I bought a new car sight unseen -- in my state, you sign away your rights to return the car before you drive you car off the lot. I special ordered my car through a broker. The same problem would apply to any car where you could not test for mileage on the spot before purchase, however.
It's an agreement you have to sign, here in Cal., called, "there is no cooling off period", ie you cannot return your car even if you discover something like I did, seriously to your dislike immediately after purchase.
I love my car in every other way. But I feel like either I was not informed of what's true about these cars, in general, or my car is an exception. At this point, I am not sure which is the case.
In either case, personally, with what I have gone through, I would not buy a new car again, because I have learned that i have no recourse -- apparently BMW can make a car with any mileage they wish and not be legally accountable!
Each time, I have to figure out when I want to make a trip, it's going to cost me 30 to 40 percent more in gas than I thought.
I wish I knew what I could do. Any suggestions? Ideas would be gratefully received.
Thanks.
SO thanks for your ideas...I do appreciate...
It is unfortunate that BMW told me they refuse to stand by the car they produced.
Would I buy a BMW again? Yes! Do i *love* my car? Yes. But.....buy a new one? not a new car...especially a new BMW, never again. Wait ten thousand miles? And then what? What if then it isn't right? They've already told me they aren't going to do anyting about it.
I have heard there are other cars out there, 330s,with this problem. I am wondering if this is an issue that goes far beyond just me?
When I've asked the dealer and the manufacturer how many mpg the car should get, they say, they don't know. Now, do YOU believe that? I don't.
All I can say? I would never buy a new car, especially one where I could not check the mileage first hand again, first. THere is no one to protect you or me as consumers.
Thank you for your suggestions. I remain open minded for more ideas. Plain out of them over here and willing to try anything. I hate having to do math every time I want to take a road trip.
Apparently you have no recourse if you get something way off the mark. A warrantee doesn't do it.
Still would love to know what others are getting....
:-)
Although it is interesting to watch how the mileage counter does change when you drive, ie accelerate, decelerate, etc... .there are actually three mileage counters in my car... even one on the control panel! So I can see very well what happens every time I step on the gas, coast, brake, etc... I get a driving lesson just driving in my car on gas mileage!
And I do mostly freeway.
Just finished a trip to San Diego from Colorado Springs. Interstate driving along with some city. With four in the car and luggage, with air on, and normally at about 80mph on Interstates, I got 28mpg for the 1,300 miles.
Actually, they are correct.
Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer "guarantees" minimum mileage for any vehicle. (For that matter, neither does the EPA/DOE.) You need to accept the EPA estimate for what it is, merely an "estimate."
In fact, the government fuel economy website says: "Most consumers will notice that their fuel economy differs from EPA's estimates. This can be caused by any of several factors related to driving conditions, driver behavior, vehicle maintenance, and fuel characteristics as explained here."
More importantly, you should realize that BMW actually DOES give buyers a heads up that their expectations for mileage need to be kept in check. Look at the "technical data" information on the BMW website for the 2006 330ci in particular. It says clearly: "EPA est. mpg, city/highway. Your actual mileage will vary, depending upon speed, driving habits, trip length and driving conditions; actual mileage will most likely be lower." (I would be surprised if the same disclaimer weren't in the printed brochure, as well.)
I'm sorry you are disappointed in your gas mileage. I hope your car's mileage improves over time. (I've had that experience to some extent with my BMW's and to a much greater extent with my Acura.) But please bear in mind, neither the government nor BMW knows EXACTLY how you drive or in EXACTLY what conditions, so neither can tell you EXACTLY what mileage to expect.
Now, about your mileage. It's bad, very bad. On my 2002 530i 5-Speed I never got less than 22 even when driving in heavy NYC metro traffic, and got more like 31 at a steady 75 on the highway. There are a couple of things that I'd do were I in your shoes (beyond getting new oil in it that is).
1) Have the ODB-II system checked for any error codes. If some are found, have them fixed at either your local BMW dealership or at a good indy shop.
2) If #1 bears no fruit, I'd have a cylinder leak down test performed on all six cylinders. If one or more test low, I'd have a bore-scope performed to see what is wrong (i.e. valves or cylinder walls/rings).
3) Failing the above two, I'd have the engine control computer (OBC) reflashed with the latest firmware from your local BMW dealership.
Let us know how you make out.
Best Regards,
Shipo
The second tank now averages 18 mpg. My driving is 80city/20freeway with heavy stop-and-go and traffic jams everywhere I go (Los Angeles Area). I do hope this is not going to to be 14mpg City/30mpg Freeway. If I get 18mpg or higher average I will be extatic, as my last car ML350 averaged 12.5mpg, and JGC before it averaged 13. In fact I've never owned a car that averaged over 15mpg in Los Angeles. Hopefully this would be first.
Kinda like people....I am sitting trying to decide whether my mileage remains steady or falling off again :confuse:
I have always gotten the same 20mpg.
I drive slow off the redlight and then I continue to accellerate.......to very very very very fast speeds.
I don't 0-60 quick, but I continue to excellerate.
I think this milage is good and acceptable.
paperwork says 21-29.
so,
my 07 335 that states 20-29 SHOULD get 19mpg.
I gave up one mile per gallon for twin freakin' turbos~~~~!!!
Perhaps those getting less mpg should examine their driving style; I really think it affect mpg.
K
Regards,
OW
Absolutic, check the MPG gauge when you cruise on the highway -- maybe at night or on weekend. If it reads 30 or better, your car is just fine and traffic is to blame.
Regards,
OW
So far the posts here where 325i/328i/330i with mpg 20 to 30 average depending on city or highway use.
I am currently pondering replacing my old battered 1997 Geo Prism with a nice 3-series BMW, but I am so used to getting 30mpg out of driving 15% city 85% highway without having to limit my desire for speed in any way (read: above 80 where traffic permits) that I wonder how much worse it would be with the stronger, newer and more expensive car... I don't want to be stuck behind hybrids just to be fuel efficient ;-)
Is this expected or should I take it in for an inspection?
Regards,
OW
It could have been reset and then just driven around the dealer's lot.
Does it need to be reset?
Yes.
And how accurate are the on-board stats?
The actual fuel economy is @95% of the average OBC economy.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
My new problem is for the last month, my fuel gauge has been acting crazy. I would fill a tank of gas, and it would show accurate reading, and then, after about half-a-tank is gone, the gauge would just go to Zero or even less than Zero and it would indicate that I am out of gas! I ran to the gas station just to find out that I really have plenty of gas left and it is just a false reading. But it's been doing it lately. What could be the problem?
The E36(1992-1999) 3 Series cars had a similar issue. In that case the problem was caused by corrosion deposits on the fuel sending unit contacts within the gas tank. BMW cured the problem by introducing a replacement unit fitted with gold contacts that do not corrode. I solved the problem on my 1995 and 1998 3ers by using only Top Tier gasolines- which contain detergent properties that prevent the deposits from occuring. That said, since your car is still under warranty I'd simply return it to the dealer. If you want to attempt an interim fix, you could try adding a bottle of Techron to your fuel; it can't hurt and it may fix the problem temporarily.
Mine: 1995 318ti Club Sport-2020 C43-1996 Speed Triple Challenge Cup Replica
Wife's: 2021 Sahara 4xe
Son's: 2018 330i xDrive
Put on nearly 11,000 miles in 2007 and averaged 24.34mpg in a mixture of roughly 2/3 highway 1/3 city driving. Best tank (mostly highway) returned 27.31mpg. Worst tank (mostly city) returned 21.17mpg. Use sports mode frequently in city driving.
No question in my mind this car would get low 30s on a highway trip, and not just in the right lane at 55mph. I've seen what it's capable of on highway drives of 30 to 60 miles, at 70-80mph. I always have my on-board computer set to display the mpg.
Quite pleased getting this kind of gas mileage from a sports sedan. The G35 I had before it averaged about 22mpg.