X3 - 2.0d vs 3.0d MPG?

[Nano2nd]

Hi all, i'm looking to buy an X3 for my missus to replace the Tiguan, theres some good deals to be had at the minute with the new model coming later in the year... i've found 2 cars as possibilities ones a 2.0d M Sport and they other a 3.0d M Sport

i've got some experience with the 2.0d as i had a 120d m sport for 3 years, i'm assuming its the same engine? i was wondering what real world economy was on the 3.0? is it worst than the 2.0 to an order of magnitude... or in my man maths head a biggest less stressed engine would be more efficient meaning that MPG wouldn't be hugely worst? - wishful thinking?

[p1stonhead]

Nano2nd said:

Hi all, i'm looking to buy an X3 for my missus to replace the Tiguan, theres some good deals to be had at the minute with the new model coming later in the year... i've found 2 cars as possibilities ones a 2.0d M Sport and they other a 3.0d M Sport

i've got some experience with the 2.0d as i had a 120d m sport for 3 years, i'm assuming its the same engine? i was wondering what real world economy was on the 3.0? is it worst than the 2.0 to an order of magnitude... or in my man maths head a biggest less stressed engine would be more efficient meaning that MPG wouldn't be hugely worst? - wishful thinking?

Its probably around a 10-15mpg difference.

But probably better to work out actual costs over a year to keep things in perspective?

10mpg over 10,000 miles is only about £300.

[Nano2nd]

really that much? i figured a 35-40MPG average about the same as the Tiguan, you think that could drop down as low as 25-30 with the 3.0? my M4 averages 23!

good point on the difference though i'll look into it, i'm a little sore on the extra £310 tax a year!

[p1stonhead]

Nano2nd said:

really that much? i figured a 35-40MPG average about the same as the Tiguan, you think that could drop down as low as 25-30 with the 3.0? my M4 averages 23!

good point on the difference though i'll look into it, i'm a little sore on the extra £310 tax a year!

I assume you mean new?

I reckon 30-45 is probably about right for the 3.0d lump I reckon depending on type of driving? I cant imagine it would go much lower unless you are exclusively in town traffic? I would have thought the 2.0 would be 40-50mpg?

The 330d does 40mpg all day long but its probably got a few mpg on the X3 just based on shape.

This reckons 36'ish average
https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/bmw/x3-f25-20...

Edited by p1stonhead on Monday 21st August 12:35

[Charlie Croker mk2]

My ( now sold ) X3 30d m sport on 19 staggered wheels could do 49 mpg on a long gentle run but stay in the outside lane on the autobahn then you would drop to 35 ish . Driving in town from cold really messes up the fuel consumption . Check the ride quality on these as they can be very jiggly at speed due to over firm springs and dampers .

[smashy]

Fwiw my f30 330d is just slightly better mpg than my 120d auto ed I had crazy but true. For example last two 700 mile trips round Cornwall in my 120d both came out at 44 mpg.Basically same two journeys in the 30d were both 46 mpg effortless engine love it

[Nezquick]

If it helps, i'm getting around 40mpg from my X3 35d. It's not run in yet either so i'm hoping that will improve.

(To add - that significantly drops when my wife drives it - she's a bit more of an aggressive driver than me).

[Nano2nd]

thanks guys, so i hoped generally its not that much worst than the 2.0d... tax is the same, insurance £100pa more so not two bad... i'm assuming the drive on the 3.0 is much nicer being a 6 pot?

re the suspension, i was a bit worried about that as the M Sport Plus cars all have 20s, we test drove one over the weekend and it is a little jiggerly i wouldn't say it was noticeably worst that the Tiguan, i know they've improved the ride on the new Tiguan but we haven't driven one yet but i imagine its better than the X3... if i was buying new i'd spec VDC however there just isn't any pre-reg cars that are still attracting the new car finance rate with VDC already speced

[p1stonhead]

Nano2nd said:

thanks guys, so i hoped generally its not that much worst than the 2.0d... tax is the same, insurance £100pa more so not two bad... i'm assuming the drive on the 3.0 is much nicer being a 6 pot?

re the suspension, i was a bit worried about that as the M Sport Plus cars all have 20s, we test drove one over the weekend and it is a little jiggerly i wouldn't say it was noticeably worst that the Tiguan, i know they've improved the ride on the new Tiguan but we haven't driven one yet but i imagine its better than the X3... if i was buying new i'd spec VDC however there just isn't any pre-reg cars that are still attracting the new car finance rate with VDC already speced

6 pot is (albeit I havent driven the X3) way way nicer generally, certainly on the 3 and 5.

[Ninja59]

As another 6 pot owner, albeit in my 640D is doing about 35 MPG at the moment (which it tends to hover round in day to day driving).

But, like some others short runs or town really screw the MPG, dropping my OH to work it will do about 27 MPG (10 minutes or so on the road). On decent run though I have pushed on to just under 50 MPG (really not bad for a vehicle of that size and weight).

[helix402]

The 3.0 will not be significantly worse on fuel than the 2.0.

[Ranger 6]

Nezquick said:

If it helps, i'm getting around 40mpg from my X3 35d. It's not run in yet either so i'm hoping that will improve.

(To add - that significantly drops when my wife drives it - she's a bit more of an aggressive driver than me).

I'm getting 35ish from my 35d as well and I would admit to aggressive tendencies.....

Having had a 2.0d and 3.0d old shape X3 as well, my economy actually improved with the bigger engine.

The key thing for me however is the vast improvement in refinement from the 6 cal motor.

Oh yes, your comments on VDC are fully correct, mine on 20s has a much better ride in Comfort and I only use Sport if I don't have passengers.

[Nano2nd]

so i ended up buying the 3.0d, really happy with it so far... i'll report back on MPG, i'm loving the HUD and sunroof and the suspension doesn't feel overly harsh which is a relief!

[helix402]

Good choice, 6 good, 4 bad. (E30 M3 excepted-and maybe the 2002 Turbo)

[Ranger 6]

Excellent choice - pics?

[bennyboysvuk]

Good choice. My wife has just bought an X3 35d and in the 6 mile nursery trips that we're doing in traffic we're seeing around 27mpg. On a clear road at 70mph though it settles into a 45 mpg cruise! I was utterly amazed.

[woodsyguyAlan]

Just bought a '66 reg X3 35D with12500 miles on the clock. After resetting all values the MPG is showing 18.3 after about 60 miles of use (local) driving sensibly using EcoPro mode.
That's not good I guess. Goes like stink tho' !

[Charlie Croker mk2]

Someone has a very heavy right foot LOL fwiw eco pro makes a very good engine dull and the air con hardly work .

[p1stonhead]

woodsyguyAlan said:

Just bought a '66 reg X3 35D with12500 miles on the clock. After resetting all values the MPG is showing 18.3 after about 60 miles of use (local) driving sensibly using EcoPro mode.
That's not good I guess. Goes like stink tho' !

That can’t be right surely? Unless constantly in traffic for those 60 miles?

[VerySideways]

woodsyguyAlan said:

Just bought a '66 reg X3 35D with12500 miles on the clock. After resetting all values the MPG is showing 18.3 after about 60 miles of use (local) driving sensibly using EcoPro mode.
That's not good I guess. Goes like stink tho' !

Worth checking if the thermostat is working properly.
If it's stuck open then it'll take forever to warm up and that badly affects fuel economy.
That twin turbo lump is a hell of an engine, very strong and reliable and very torquey, but you should still be getting WAY more than 18mpg.
I struggled to get below mid 20's, usually averaged in the low 30's.