12 mpg normal?

[monterey]

I hit my first 200 miles in one tank today!

[Scrippy]

OP your car is broken. Best to just give it here! Gimme it!

[Scrippy]

I'd still do that for you. I'd take your car man.

[tlow98]

Originally Posted by Nihilation

My M3 is primarily driven 4 miles across town and back in mostly 25 - 35 MPH zones which takes me 30 minutes every morning. The engine isn't even warmed up till I'm half way there. With that type of commute I've been averaging 13-14 MPG. Best I've ever calculated was 19.9, pure highway up I-95. And I averaged 8 MPG at my last track day! I don't know how people are claiming 20'anything with this car.

Interesting thing is I drive a 328i wagon and only manage 13.5-14 in San Francisco - super hilly short commute.

I feel like any car except a hybrid is going to do terrible when subjected to such things...

Gas mileage is not a strong suit with any E90. My e46 M3 did better in every situation

[Flying Ace]

14 for me (commute is 10 mins in SF, 20 mins on 280)

[clevemont]

I've had my e92 DCT for the past two months and my daily commute to work is only 2 miles each way (all local, stop and go, neighborhood streets). I don't believe I have an extraordinarily heavy foot but I've averaging....9.5 MPG!!!

I was hoping to see some corroboration in the forums that this is normal but the only similar MPG I'm seeing is when people are on the tracks. I'm still getting the hang of driving the car (I guess), mostly in manual mode and tend to rev higher than when in automatic, but I've been surprised by the 9.5.

Any others having a similar experience?

[cclinard1]

Originally Posted by clevemont

I've had my e92 DCT for the past two months and my daily commute to work is only 2 miles each way (all local, stop and go, neighborhood streets). I don't believe I have an extraordinarily heavy foot but I've averaging....9.5 MPG!!!

I was hoping to see some corroboration in the forums that this is normal but the only similar MPG I'm seeing is when people are on the tracks. I'm still getting the hang of driving the car (I guess), mostly in manual mode and tend to rev higher than when in automatic, but I've been surprised by the 9.5.

Any others having a similar experience?

Have you reset the MPG reading to make sure that's actually accurate? That does seem low. I live in NC at the beach where it's hot most of the year...car is 6MT and I average 14-15MPG blasting a/c. Also, have you checked your air filter for replacement? It could be clogged. Spark plugs may also need changing. That's recommended very 37k miles.

[clevemont]

Originally Posted by cclinard1

Have you reset the MPG reading to make sure that's actually accurate? That does seem low. I live in NC at the beach where it's hot most of the year...car is 6MT and I average 14-15MPG blasting a/c. Also, have you checked your air filter for replacement? It could be clogged. Spark plugs may also need changing. That's recommended very 37k miles.

I haven't checked the air filter for replacement but the car is a 2012 and only has 25k miles on it (i've only put around 800 miles on it). Previous owner was meticulous in his care so if the air filter needed to be changed according to a schedule, I'm sure it was. I reset the MPG monitor every time I fill up on gas so it's tracking fresh on every fill up. I did a PPI at the dealership at the time of purchase and everything came back as clean, but perhaps I'll look into the spark plug and air filter issue. Thanks!

[M3 n X5M]

Originally Posted by clevemont

I've had my e92 DCT for the past two months and my daily commute to work is only 2 miles each way (all local, stop and go, neighborhood streets). I don't believe I have an extraordinarily heavy foot but I've averaging....9.5 MPG!!!

I was hoping to see some corroboration in the forums that this is normal but the only similar MPG I'm seeing is when people are on the tracks. I'm still getting the hang of driving the car (I guess), mostly in manual mode and tend to rev higher than when in automatic, but I've been surprised by the 9.5.

Any others having a similar experience?

This sounds perfectly normal for this kind of driving. My car gets efficient above 45 mph and over 3rd or 4 th gear. When putting around in stop and go and 2 nd gear it is below 10.

My average right now is 16.2. My average over the last 4 years had been 16.9 just daily driving. I am driving faster now due to enjoying some recent updates and repairs.

Try to drive your car over 15 miles at a time. The engine needs to warm up to be in its zone.

A good test would be to measure your highway mpg.

[clevemont]

Originally Posted by cclinard1

Have you reset the MPG reading to make sure that's actually accurate? That does seem low. I live in NC at the beach where it's hot most of the year...car is 6MT and I average 14-15MPG blasting a/c. Also, have you checked your air filter for replacement? It could be clogged. Spark plugs may also need changing. That's recommended very 37k miles.

Actually, I think my next steps are:
1) Check Tire Pressure
2) Check Air Filters
3) Calculate the MPG manually and compare to the computer (since this is what I'm going off)
4) Spark Plugs

[Rajmun340]

Originally Posted by clevemont

I've had my e92 DCT for the past two months and my daily commute to work is only 2 miles each way (all local, stop and go, neighborhood streets). I don't believe I have an extraordinarily heavy foot but I've averaging....9.5 MPG!!!

I was hoping to see some corroboration in the forums that this is normal but the only similar MPG I'm seeing is when people are on the tracks. I'm still getting the hang of driving the car (I guess), mostly in manual mode and tend to rev higher than when in automatic, but I've been surprised by the 9.5.

Any others having a similar experience?

2 miles daily commutes of local stop and go and you complain about 9.5 MPG ? Of course it will be that low. First, even after cold start the engine will be running rich for the first few minutes. If you immediately reset onboard mpg counter after cold start when you start moving you will see single digits for the first couple of minutes on all M3's. Second, you're driving only 2 miles each time and everytime, that means ALL your driving is in that mode...and on top of that the ECU adaptive setting will recognize your bad driving pattern for the car and will make sure to run extra rich mix (worst possible mileage) to protect the engine.

[thkfast]

I'm averaging 14.9 mpg city and got 21.5 mpg highway last weekend on a 160 mile round trip. I keep it out of "M" mode unless I have a reason and I let it shift itself.

[cclinard1]

Originally Posted by clevemont

Actually, I think my next steps are:
1) Check Tire Pressure
2) Check Air Filters
3) Calculate the MPG manually and compare to the computer (since this is what I'm going off)
4) Spark Plugs

Also maybe try to run some Chevron Techron through a tank of gas. I think you're on the right track though.

[cclinard1]

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

2 miles daily commutes of local stop and go and you complain about 9.5 MPG ? Of course it will be that low. First, even after cold start the engine will be running rich for the first few minutes. If you immediately reset onboard mpg counter after cold start when you start moving you will see single digits for the first couple of minutes on all M3's. Second, you're driving only 2 miles each time and everytime, that means ALL your driving is in that mode...and on top of that the ECU adaptive setting will recognize your bad driving pattern for the car and will make sure to run extra rich mix (worst possible mileage) to protect the engine.

This is an excellent point. Take the long way to work.

[houston]

Originally Posted by cclinard1

This is an excellent point. Take the long way to work.

Watch the condensation in the oil as well. You have the came commute/pattern as I do. Rod bearings seized at 17k on mine. I fully believe these cars like to be driven.... which I hardly ever get a chance to do.

PS BMW didn't goodfaith the engine, but my MBP coverage did.

[Rajmun340]

Originally Posted by houston

Watch the condensation in the oil as well. You have the came commute/pattern as I do. Rod bearings seized at 17k on mine. I fully believe these cars like to be driven.... which I hardly ever get a chance to do.

PS BMW didn't goodfaith the engine, but my MBP coverage did.

I second that, and the thick viscous synthetic oil never gets a chance to reach full operating temperature for extended times (>45 min couple times a week) to eliminate the fuel condensation accumulating in the oil over repeated short drives. With that type of commuter pattern, the oil lubrification degrades quickly and engine is poorly lubricated. The ECU is smart enough to notice you are submitting the engine to unhealthy cycles and in an attempt not to makes things worse will run a rich mix to avoid hot spots inside the engine.

Your RB seized at 17k on the car and they didn't replace the engine ? It's not a matter of good faith if under warranty, i would have sued BMW. Even if you are not the original owner doesn't the warranty carry over ? MBP is that extended insurance ?

[houston]

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

I second that, and the thick viscous synthetic oil never gets a chance to reach full operating temperature for extended times (>45 min couple times a week) to eliminate the fuel condensation accumulating in the oil over repeated short drives. With that type of commuter pattern, the oil lubrification degrades quickly and engine is poorly lubricated. The ECU is smart enough to notice you are submitting the engine to unhealthy cycles and in an attempt not to makes things worse will run a rich mix to avoid hot spots inside the engine.

Your RB seized at 17k on the car and they didn't replace the engine ? It's not a matter of good faith if under warranty, i would have sued BMW. Even if you are not the original owner doesn't the warranty carry over ? MBP is that extended insurance ?

BMW is no longer friendly because of all the pending litigation over Rod Bearings. They kept my car for 2months before denying me help. Basically they found out I had MBP coverage... and wouldn't help. Ended up around ~$25k luckily my MBP covered it 100%.

And to keep on topic ... engine #1 averaged about 13 mpg. Engine #2 is about 16mpg. More likely due to me driving like a grandma because these engines are time bombs

[Rajmun340]

Originally Posted by houston

BMW is no longer friendly because of all the pending litigation over Rod Bearings. They kept my car for 2months before denying me help. Basically they found out I had MBP coverage... and wouldn't help. Ended up around ~$25k luckily my MBP covered it 100%.

And to keep on topic ... engine #1 averaged about 13 mpg. Engine #2 is about 16mpg. More likely due to me driving like a grandma because these engines are time bombs

I am glad for you, but i don't understand what was your situation when the engine blew up (original owner or not?) and what is "MBP" ??
My impressions is that BMW seems to be more and more a fly by night shady company controlled by the financials and a slimy marketing team, even intentionally flirting on the wrong side of the law for profits. Just curious did your first engine consume oil between oil changes that required you to top it off ?

[houston]

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

I am glad for you, but i don't understand what was your situation when the engine blew up (original owner or not?) and what is "MBP" ??
My impressions is that BMW seems to be more and more a fly by night shady company controlled by the financials and a slimy marketing team, even intentionally flirting on the wrong side of the law for profits. Just curious did your first engine consume oil between oil changes that required you to top it off ?

I bought the car with 12500 miles on it from the original owner who took delivery in Germany and in the time I have owned it it never once left the "top mark". The only time I ever had to top off was when BMW did the oil changes under warranty and it wasn't at the top mark after a few miles of driving. I have 2000 miles on the new engine and same.. no noticeable oil burn

[clevemont]

Originally Posted by JoeM3SSII

2 miles daily commutes of local stop and go and you complain about 9.5 MPG ? Of course it will be that low. First, even after cold start the engine will be running rich for the first few minutes. If you immediately reset onboard mpg counter after cold start when you start moving you will see single digits for the first couple of minutes on all M3's. Second, you're driving only 2 miles each time and everytime, that means ALL your driving is in that mode...and on top of that the ECU adaptive setting will recognize your bad driving pattern for the car and will make sure to run extra rich mix (worst possible mileage) to protect the engine.

Looks like MBP coverage is Mechanical Breakdown Coverage that some insurance coverages provide.

I switched over to just using the automatic mode to see if it was my driving style in manual mode and my MPG immediately jumped up to 12mpg, lol.
I guess I still need to learn how to drive this car. Coming from an 2004 e500 MBZ, there is a learning curve, even though I did own an automatic 2009 e92 335, 3 years ago.

Great advice here though. Thanks everyone.

[audioMeth]

Originally Posted by monterey

Are you guys hitting 200 miles per tank?

i struggled to get over 16mpg for the first 45k miles, then my car started to throw a thermostat code intermittently. after i replaced it i"be been seeing 18mpg. this is math done at fill up and not the cars estimates.

[DSilk]

I'm averaging 18.3 mpg. The car is actually more efficient at 80 mph than it is at 65 or 70.