530 auto fuel consumption ?
Discussion
I've owned a three year old 530 Auto for a couple of months now and I've done the first set of fuel consumption figures.
Very disappointing. 23 mpg average over a couple of thousand miles.
I never use the A/C, the cruise is on a lot, I never go over 4000 rpm, so can anyone explain / contradict the mpg I'm seeing ?
I don't know how heavy your right foot is, but it does not sound like it should be that bad. We have averaged 29MPG in our 528 manual. I would get the car checked out as you should be getting high twenties to low thirties, especially if you are driving it carefully. I get 23MPG out of my 19 year old 635.
sohlman said:
I don't know how heavy your right foot is, but it does not sound like it should be that bad. We have averaged 29MPG in our 528 manual.
The BMW service book has 18.2 mpg for the urban cycle for my car, and 35.7 mpg for the extra urban.
A simple bit of maths suggests that to get that combination to reach 23 mpg, I must be doing 72.6 % of my driving in town.
Possible, but unlikely.
ScoobyZoom said:
Thats wrong. Should be more like 30mpg if you do a little bit f town and more like 40mpg if your mainly on the motorway.
late 20's if mostly round town
It's a bit odd how you claim better numbers than the BMW service book.
We aren't mixing up petrol & diesel are we ?
Mine's petrol.
I think you all expect too much and the quoted figures are at best optimum and at worst just unachievable in the real world. A V8 auto is going to be pretty awful on fuel, worse than a 4 or 6 cylinder of similar capacity iirc. It will use more oil as well. I have a 540 auto and even on quite a long run I never get near 30mpg. More to the point I wouldn't have it any other way 
I mean that engine!!!
I mean that engine!!!JamesK said:
I think you all expect too much and the quoted figures are at best optimum and at worst just unachievable in the real world.
My experience of other cars is that manufacturer's numbers are very achievable.
JamesK said:
A V8 auto is going to be pretty awful on fuel, worse than a 4 or 6 cylinder of similar capacity iirc. It will use more oil as well.
True. For the record, the BMW 530 is a inline six cylinder engine.
I wouldn't expect any V8 to get any better than 25 mpg. My previous car, a Jaguar XJ8, with a 3.2 V8, only claimed 23 mpg, and I got 19 mpg.
JamesK said:
I have a 540 auto and even on quite a long run I never get near 30mpg. More to the point I wouldn't have it any other way
I wouldn't expect a 540 auto to do more than about 22-25 mpg.
However, the six cylinder 530 I've got isn't doing too well so far.
One of the reasons I bought it was the reduced fuel consumption over the Jaguar, which it is doing, but only just.
I've due for a 200 mile round trip at the weekend. I'll report back.
Marshy said:
I had a 730i V8 too - and in my opinion it was rather under-engined, certainly causing my fuel consumption to suffer - used to average just over 18mpg.
Yes, they are. Next time around I will go for 740i. It's my 3rd 7 Series, and for what you pay I am totally impressed. The V8 does sound better and I think it is much smoother, but defo lacks grunt
Somewhat suprised that it changes up @6250rpm when in sport mode 
That's a lot of mass recipricating there at that speed I was dead chuffed with my E38 7 too. Loved the look of the thing, loved in the interior too - bloody good place to be when munching the miles.
The older 540i I have now is a bit less refined due to various suspension knocks and seat creaks, but has _so_ _much_ _more_ grunt that it more than compensates.
And the steering's just as vague...
The older 540i I have now is a bit less refined due to various suspension knocks and seat creaks, but has _so_ _much_ _more_ grunt that it more than compensates.
And the steering's just as vague...
dcb said:
I've due for a 200 mile round trip at the weekend. I'll report back.
Over the trip, 27.1 mpg average.
Might get to 30 mpg if I try hard.
Interestingly, I tried out the sport modes on the auto gearbox for the first time.
Gave it a full-bore takeoff from a standing start and the traction control light came on & stayed on.
Looks like I've broken it.
Barry the BMW will be going in for some repair work to get the Traction Control fixed ;-<
Scoobs! 
dcb said:
Might get to 30 mpg if I try hard.
Duly, I tried hard, and got to 30.7 mpg for a 180 mile trip [A12 again].
Good for a 150 plus mph wagon. I won't be trying that hard again. 25 mpg does me.
dcb said:
Barry the BMW will be going in for some repair work to get the Traction Control fixed ;-<
70 quid trousered by the BMW dealers.
dcb said:
Duly, I tried hard, and got to 30.7 mpg for a 180 mile trip [A12 again].
Same trip, but got caught behind a load of folks that don't seem to know that we drive on the LEFT on UK motorways, and fuel consumption reached 32 mpg.
Getting better all the time.
Maybe next time if I slipstream a lorry, 35 mpg is possible.
dcb said:
I never use the A/C
You should use it. Lack of use is what eventually knackers A/C. Either the seals dry out, crack and leak, or the pump goes because it hasn't had any fluid and oil through it, and it seizes through lack of lubrication. Some go as far as to say it should stay on all the time, although I reckon every few days should do ok. The cost in slightly increased fuel consumption should be offset by lower maintenance charges (especially in a BMW)
>> Edited by gshughes on Wednesday 14th April 13:47
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