[adc100]

First thread: I helped a good friend decide to purchase an '18 during her search for upscale suv's. I had indicated that minimizing the use of the turbo would increase mpg. Yes I realize that may not be a concern for lots of X3 owners..

I had told her I have at least 3 screens that indicate how much turbo is being used. I believe those do not exist except possibly with an app. She had indicated that there was an "economy" ? mode. Does this cut back turbo boost?

I can usually get by using only a couple lbs of boost. Increases mpg by about 10-15%

Am I missing something?

BTW If something happens to my XT my wife will get the X3. (I drive a chevy Spark..lol)

Thanks

[darrylo]

I assume you're talking about the X3, as you're in an X3 forum, and as I have no idea what a "W3" is.

If you want to get max MPG, put the X3 into Eco Pro mode, and let the car handle the MPG. Performance is going to be awful, though.

[Njerts]

You should not think in terms of controlling the turbo.
Like any other car you control the gas pedal, if you step on it you will use more gas, doesn’t matter if it is a turbo or non turbo car.

[adc100]

Originally Posted by darrylo

I assume you're talking about the X3, as you're in an X3 forum, and as I have no idea what a "W3" is.

Duuuhh..yea ..my bad

[darrylo]

Originally Posted by adc100

Duuuhh..yea ..my bad

Just to be clear, just put the car into Eco Pro mode and let the car handle the MPG. You'll get slower acceleration (less turbo and gas use), transmission shift points designed for better mileage, less AC use, etc., etc.. The one thing your friend can do to help MPG is to coast before a stop as much as is possible (but safely, without pissing off any other drivers). This is because the computer can automatically put the transmission into neutral, to maximize coasting distance (thereby using a little less gas).

In Eco Pro, the instrument displays also change to give you better feedback on gas usage (this might need the optional Premium or Executive packages, though).

[Tchgrif]

turbo's do not use gas to work they use exhaust gas flow to work, the higher you rev the engine the more turbo boost is generated. when you keep revs low you use less gas as an engine at idle uses far less gas than an engine near redline. however, low revs {RPM} means very slow acceleration and for most people there is a happy medium. If your only worry is MPG no non electric/hybrid BMW is the right car for you. these are machines built to perform and low Revs are not its strong suite.

[ParadigmDawg]

I average 16 mpg in myM40 which is 2 mpg better than my AMG so I feel like I am thrifty....

[adc100]

Originally Posted by ParadigmDawg

I average 16 mpg in myM40 which is 2 mpg better than my AMG so I feel like I am thrifty....

Yea..not really a valid comparison but in suburban driving I get 26+ mpg by using under 3 psi turbo boost. But again..apples to oranges

[383vett]

Swap for a Prius.

[skier219]

Got 32mpg with my M40i on a 95% highway drive. That is pretty darn good. I never did better than 34-35mpg with my 430i coupe.

[nogren]

Best I got with my current 30d is 5.0L/100km (47mpg), for 80-100km/h country roads. I expect the X3 30d be at least over 40. :-)

[swestland85]

Originally Posted by nogren

Best I got with my current 30d is 5.0L/100km (47mpg), for 80-100km/h country roads. I expect the X3 30d be at least over 40. :-)

I get 6.9l/100km after 3000km with the X3 30d. My E91 30d got about 6.5l so not bad.

[sor]

Originally Posted by skier219

Got 32mpg with my M40i on a 95% highway drive. That is pretty darn good. I never did better than 34-35mpg with my 430i coupe.

Yeah that's my experience too. I get 20-22 pure city (including fun time) and 30-32 pure highway, which I'm extremely pleased with for its size and utility.

[sc68z28]

Originally Posted by adc100

...in suburban driving I get 26+ mpg by using under 3 psi turbo boost. But again..apples to oranges

My BMW 330e has averaged 109 mpg over the 21 months we have had it.
My BMW X3 M40i average is 18 mpg and way more fun to drive.
Between the two I get 63 mpg.

Originally Posted by pheerIx

Shoulda just waited for the electric X3

---Bill.

[AndroidRobot]

You don't buy a performance SUV for fuel economy. I believe it's distasteful to not use the B58 properly because there's always the B48 based 30i if you care more about economy in an SAV.

[sc68z28]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

You don't buy a performance SUV for fuel economy. I believe it's distasteful to not use the B58 properly because there's always the B48 based 30i if you care more about economy in an SAV.

Hope this was not directed at me? Because I agree with you and I did not get an M40i " performance SUV for fuel economy".

---Bill.

[adc100]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

You don't buy a performance SUV for fuel economy. I believe it's distasteful to not use the B58 properly because there's always the B48 based 30i if you care more about economy in an SAV.

I agree with that thought. In my case I chose the Subaru FA 2.0 Turbo bc its a flat out better engine than Subaru's FB N/A engine. In fact subaru's Old EJ 25 Open-Deck (head gasket eating) N/A engine sucked while the semi-closed deck Turbo version was rock solid.

The FA 2.0 has been on Ward's 10 best engines of the year 3 times in the last 7 years..as have many BMW engines been on it. BMW was smart to make modular engines!!

[skier219]

Originally Posted by AndroidRobot

You don't buy a performance SUV for fuel economy. I believe it's distasteful to not use the B58 properly because there's always the B48 based 30i if you care more about economy in an SAV.

The real world gas mileage benefits of the 30i are so minor over the M40i, I don't think anyone needs to be forced to choose one way or the other. Get an M40i and you can have a hot rod when you want and great gas mileage when you want. The M40i can do it all. To me the only reasons to get a 30i are if you have no interest in the hot rod aspect and/or want to save some money.

[JayPichardo]

I am so confused right now.

[CHATMAN]

Originally Posted by nogren

Best I got with my current 30d is 5.0L/100km (47mpg), for 80-100km/h country roads. I expect the X3 30d be at least over 40. :-)

I'd hope so! My 535d was getting >40mpg on the highway at those speeds.

[AndroidRobot]

Originally Posted by skier219

The real world gas mileage benefits of the 30i are so minor over the M40i, I don't think anyone needs to be forced to choose one way or the other. Get an M40i and you can have a hot rod when you want and great gas mileage when you want. The M40i can do it all. To me the only reasons to get a 30i are if you have no interest in the hot rod aspect and/or want to save some money.

That's true, the M40i can achieve decent mileage when driven lightly.