Gas Mileage

[SanDiegoBMWfan]

I was hoping that all the new owners could comment on the gas mileage they are getting in there new cars. I was getting about 16 mpg with spirited driving in my e46 M3. I assume the V8 wouldn't do as well but by how much?
Can we expect the DCT to get maybe another one mpg? Thank you.

[Pancho]

This car is an animal. Don't worry about mpg. Enjoy. BTW my consumption is 5.8 Km per liter in 5,000 kms.

[spike357]

I've been averaging 15.0 mpg

[AlpWtE92]

My car is telling me I'm getting about 18.0 mpg on mostly highway driving (averaging about 80 mph), though not a lot of hard accelerations (I'm still in the break-in period). I'm able to get 20.0 mpg on the highway if I drive like a grandmother and never pass (tried it on one trip just to see if it's possible). After my first service next week, this all goes out the window.

[PocketRocket]

yeah! but why the heck buy a M3

Originally Posted by spike357

I've been averaging 15.0 mpg

you must have been really gently driving it, or under breakin period

I heard 14mpg ave

... and saw it as low as 11.4mpg, that guy must have been really burning rubber

gee! the new M guys will not honestly say what they get for it at 3.69 a gallon now... WTF is wrong with this picture

a M3 guy at 14mpg driving 50 miles a day cost $13.17/day to drve

a 325i guy at 23mpg driving 50 miles a day cost $8.02/day to drve

a honda civic guy at 31mpg driving miles a day cost $5.95/day to drve

[Davinhci]

13-14 is what i heard in the city

[lucid]

If you drive it hard (under 5500rpms), you will get 11-12 mpg. If you drive it like a civic in the city, you will get 16-17 mpg. If you drive it at 65 mph constant speed on the highway in 6th gear, you will get 22 mpg. At least this is the case during the break-in period. Consumption should decrease after everything is all broken-in.

[KASM3]

Originally Posted by PocketRocket

yeah! but why the heck buy a M3



you must have been really gently driving it, or under breakin period

I heard 14mpg ave

... and saw it as low as 11.4mpg, that guy must have been really burning rubber

gee! the new M guys will not honestly say what they get for it at 3.69 a gallon now... WTF is wrong with this picture

a M3 guy at 14mpg driving 50 miles a day cost $13.17/day to drve

a 325i guy at 23mpg driving 50 miles a day cost $8.02/day to drve

a honda civic guy at 31mpg driving miles a day cost $5.95/day to drve

yeah, but the smile on my face everyday and the fun driving it. PRICELESS!

[ersin]

Originally Posted by KASM3

yeah, but the smile on my face everyday and the fun driving it. PRICELESS!

Well said.

[midlifecrisis]

I drove mine out Route 78 from Berkeley Heights, NJ to Bethlehem, PA (about 60 miles each way) and got about 22 mpg. I had the cruise control set to 72 or 73, and used the gas to pass slower cars a few times. I-78 is moderately hilly for the east coast. The car only has 800 miles on it, so I hope the highway mileage improves as it breaks in. It's turning right about 3000 rpm in 6th at this speed. I wonder what kind of mileage I'd get with a longer cruising gear.

I figure I'm getting better mileage than all the SUV's out there with me on the road, and I'm having a lot more fun than they are! Still, I've been spoiled by my e46 328i, which regularly gets 32 mpg on trips. I'll be happy if the E90 M3 can get 24 on the highway once the car breaks in. That way, I hope I'll be using little enough gas so the rest of you can enjoy yourselves, too!

I have to admit to having a "green" streak in me. I've replaced most of the lightbulbs in my house with compact florescents, I try to keep the heat down in winter, and I walk to work when I can.

I'll do about anything to have enough gas to keep that M3 on the road!

[danielbreese]

14 mpg

[skierman64]

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

I drove mine out Route 78 from Berkeley Heights, NJ to Bethlehem, PA (about 60 miles each way) and got about 22 mpg. I had the cruise control set to 72 or 73, and used the gas to pass slower cars a few times. I-78 is moderately hilly for the east coast. The car only has 800 miles on it, so I hope the highway mileage improves as it breaks in. It's turning right about 3000 rpm in 6th at this speed. I wonder what kind of mileage I'd get with a longer cruising gear.

I figure I'm getting better mileage than all the SUV's out there with me on the road, and I'm having a lot more fun than they are! Still, I've been spoiled by my e46 328i, which regularly gets 32 mpg on trips. I'll be happy if the E90 M3 can get 24 on the highway once the car breaks in. That way, I hope I'll be using little enough gas so the rest of you can enjoy yourselves, too!

I have to admit to having a "green" streak in me. I've replaced most of the lightbulbs in my house with compact florescents, I try to keep the heat down in winter, and I walk to work when I can.

I'll do about anything to have enough gas to keep that M3 on the road!

Midlife, don't forget part of the break in sequence is to vary the RPMs, obviously cruise control does the opposite and locks the engine in at a specific RPMs for an extended period of time. Just a reminder. I don't mean to be critical, just a reminder.

BTW, we're going to have a NJish E92 get together here in about 2 or 3 weeks so we can get some photos of a lot of forum members E92s all in one spot. Let me know if you're interested.

[PocketRocket]

I dont know M guys, we have not see the worse of the gas prices yet, I wonder if prices of M3s next year will drop as soon gas per gallon reaches 5.00+

Honestly, raise you hand guys. Who among you guys will reconsider unloading the car when it reaches $5+/gallon

be honest

[PocketRocket]

and also guys, it is not advisable to an engine to be kept at a steady rate during breakin. Owners Manual dictates are vaired rpm but not to exceed 5200rpm or 100mph(or something)

[ersin]

Originally Posted by midlifecrisis

I figure I'm getting better mileage than all the SUV's out there with me on the road, and I'm having a lot more fun than they are!

Just for reference I have a Nissan Pathfinder. It's not a big SUV and I drive it about 85% highway. I average around 18 mpg. I'm guessing an M3 in the same driving scenario will get better. That of course, is only if the driver has enough will power to keep from winding the engine out to redline.

[uthatch]

Originally Posted by PocketRocket

I dont know M guys, we have not see the worse of the gas prices yet, I wonder if prices of M3s next year will drop as soon gas per gallon reaches 5.00+

Honestly, raise you hand guys. Who among you guys will reconsider unloading the car when it reaches $5+/gallon

be honest

Not I. The higher the gas prices, the less people on the road, the faster you can go .

[midlifecrisis]

Originally Posted by skierman64

Midlife, don't forget part of the break in sequence is to vary the RPMs, obviously cruise control does the opposite and locks the engine in at a specific RPMs for an extended period of time. Just a reminder. I don't mean to be critical, just a reminder.

BTW, we're going to have a NJish E92 get together here in about 2 or 3 weeks so we can get some photos of a lot of forum members E92s all in one spot. Let me know if you're interested.

I think it'll be OK - I was accelerating to pass cars and I had to get out of cruise a few times. RE the get together, maybe I'll be available, but life's pretty busy these days.

[midlifecrisis]

Originally Posted by PocketRocket

I dont know M guys, we have not see the worse of the gas prices yet, I wonder if prices of M3s next year will drop as soon gas per gallon reaches 5.00+

Honestly, raise you hand guys. Who among you guys will reconsider unloading the car when it reaches $5+/gallon

be honest

This car's keeper, whether gas is $3 or $5. (I might be driving it less at $5 - I hope they bring a diesel X3 someday. That would be a great road trip car.)

[lucid]

Originally Posted by PocketRocket

Honestly, raise you hand guys. Who among you guys will reconsider unloading the car when it reaches $5+/gallon

be honest

I wouldn't. I'm being honest. I spend my money carefuly--I work hard for it--and this is one luxury I have allowed myself, and will keep on doing so regardless of gas prices. If finances were ever an issue, I would cut expenses from another budget like eating out and/or fine wine and/or Celtics tickets. That's how much I like this car.

[PocketRocket]

Holy Cow ! you guys are fanatics.... are you sure this bimmer crowd is not a bunch of automotive Sciencetology

crzy ! insane ! I better not test drive a M3 or I'll be like a zombie too

[KASM3]

Originally Posted by PocketRocket

Holy Cow ! you guys are fanatics.... are you sure this bimmer crowd is not a bunch of automotive Sciencetology

crzy ! insane ! I better not test drive a M3 or I'll be like a zombie too

We will get you! If gas goes to $5 and the engine goes back to a 6 cylinder with turbo, I still would keep it. It would become even more special. The car does everything well! Worse case scenario, for me, is to get a used daily 3 1/2 cylinder hooptie to get back and forth from work and drive the M like a bat outa hell on weekends. OOOHH Yeah.

[lucid]

Originally Posted by PocketRocket

crzy ! insane ! I better not test drive a M3 or I'll be like a zombie too

M3 <=> me zombie <=> good