x 3 is High Consumption
 

I just got an X3 3.0 "is" Auto (272 HP, 6-speed).
During the first 1000 km, i noticed a consumption of 21 liters for every 100 km (city) and 14,5 L/100 Km in highways with 4000 rpms.
Is it going to be reduced ? do you agree that it is too high?

Huhhhh? I converted that and it works out to about 11 mpg city and 16 hiway. In the U.S I get 21 city and 25 hiway with my 3.0 auto. Maybe you should keep your foot out of it. What does BMW say you are supposed to consume? How many km on your X3? I would expect lower milage when new but those figures don't make sense.

Why are you staying at 4,000 on the tach??? It is an auto which means you must be on it to keep it that high.

How new is your X3?? How many tanks have you gone through? This just be during the engine break-in process.

my gas mileage improved after my X3 was fully broken in and above 2,000 miles or so. i would think that yours will improve as well - be patient and drive moderately...

Bmw Is Very Surprised, And Asked Me To Wait Few More Weeks. Perhaps It Is The Break In Period. Presently I Have Only 600 Km.
Some Friends With An 3.0 I Consume 16 Ltrs/100 Km, And As I Said I Am At 22 Ltrs/100km. Bmw Specs Says 14 Ltrs/100km, But There Is Always A Deviation. Lets See. Thanks For The Goods News, I Hope Soon To See A Reduction.

I also wonder about your 4000 rpm stint on the hiway. If memory serves, I see about 2800rpm at 80mph. What were you doing running up at 4000 rpm. I'm guessing that might be part of you BAD milage. Try driving like a civilized human and see what happens with your milage

Are you operating your automatic transmission in manual mode and are you indicating that 4000 rpm is your shift point? As others have indicated, 4000 rpm can't possibly be what your engine is turning at highway cruising speed, unless you are holding it in 3rd gear. Please clarify your remarks for the benefit of those who answered your post. Thanks.

Welcome to the world of SUVs. If you wanted better fuel economy, you shoud have gotten the diesel version.

My old ML320 pretty much ran at 16-17L/100km everyday not matter what. Long highway trips of over 2 hours would drop it down to around 12L/100km, but nothing any better.

Our E320 4Matic wagon runs about 12-15L/100km in the city and 9-11L/100km on the highway, so it is a bit better but not much.

Diesel is the only way to go. If BMW would allow me to have a 3.0d X3, it would be on order tomorrow.

Not meaning to be an echo, but.... 4000 RPM?????:loco: What the heck are you doing, locking it in third gear in manual mode on the highway???? If that's not what you're doing, then you have a serious transmission software problem that needs to be repaired immediately. Get it back to the dealer as soon as possible. 8-10L/100km highway and about 14L/100km city is about what it should be.

I'm not surprised they were surprised :rofl:

Sounds like your driving that thing really hard for only having 600 Km on it. Take it easy. Remember: The higher the RPM the more gas it sucks. If your using the manual mode try shifting at 2500. Better yet, use regular Auto mode until the car is broken in.

Once your X3 is broken in you should see an improvement in fuel consumption, but not if you keep driving it the way you are.

since it was my first ride, i think that i was testing the manual mode. Let me clarify that with the new 6 speed gear, you get 160 km/hour at 4000 rpm with the M6.
I kept 4000 as the max rpm according to bmw for the break in time of 2000 km.
hope that everything is clear now.....

let me also say, that in city , where my problem is with the high consumption , i use only D. Thanks for the support. I ll wait few more weeks to see ... and i ll tell you.

yeah, i agree with the people that said you need to break in the engine before you'll see higher mileage.

Diesel motors are not allowed for Athens.Yianni your car is brand new!I understand your excitment but wait for at least the first 2000 km to break in the engine.It is the most important procedure for your new car.Use the auto mode at the beginning and keep the revs up to 2500 until you reach the first 500 km,then 3000-3500 rpms until you reach 2000 kms.You have enough torgue for urban traffic.Try using the car for a change to highway with a steady speed and
revs not higher than 2500-3000 and use the obc to see the readings on consuption.I am confident it will be reduced.

Hmm I also live in Europe and this is a big consumption, bunt not for 3.0i.

For me, in Bucharest, Romania, the medium speed is from the bord computer ~ 22 Km/h :( and my fuel meter shows 13.5l/100 Km on 3.0d (diesel !!!)

On the highway the fuel economy is very good ! ~ 9.6l/100 km.

For comparison, my wife has a Subaru Outback 3.0 gasoline and in Bucharest it eats ~ 24l/100 km...

So you are good for the Europe city traffic.

Sorry that you cannot have a diesel made by BMW !!! :D

X3 3.0s are pumping 272hp?

4000rpm in the lower gears means your foot is like, 2/3rds of the way to the floor. There is no way 6th gear is turning 4000rpm@100mph, because even my tightly-geared 2.5iA with 5-speed automatic turns about 3800rpm @ 100mph. 6th gear should be an overdrive with super-tall gearing for fuel economy.

Let it break in a few thousand more miles.

Yup. At least in Europe and probably everywhere else except the US and Cananda. We get 265 hp here. I really don't understand that :confused: .

First let me say :xoutpost: . I forgot to do that yesterday :banghead: . It is nice to hear from another part of the world of BMW!

Now, back to the subject at hand...

Ah... So you were using manual mode and shifting at 4 grand. That explains a lot. Lighten up on the throttle a bit there and shift around 2000-2500. Mileage will improve immediately. When you are in Drive mode don't put your foot into it quite so hard. Then the trans will shift earlier, like around 2000-2500 rpm. That will help a lot.

As others have mentioned mileage will improve some after a few thousand miles but heavy stop and go city driving will still take it's toll. The worst I got during break-in was 14.5 mpg/city. Now I get 16-17 most of the time. Highway is usually around 26 mpg at 70-75 mph and drops to 23 or so at 80-85.

Good luck and hope you enjoy your new X3! :thumbup:

Different measuring standard. Just like Imperial MPG vs US MPG, the only true measure is L/100km.

They also might be getting a different 3.0 liter engine. From what I know, europe gets a 3.0 liter petrol making 272hp that we dont get in the states.

I think the engines are the same they just produce different hp because of the american regulations.I think the same happens with co2 emissions,some countries allow higher and others lower standards.In Greece Athens diesel engines are not allowed.Each country has its standards.Japan has a hp limit,for instance a subaru sti in greece produces 330 but in Japan less than that.If you visit a bmw dealer you could ask that and how you can increase the bhp of your 3 littre engine to 272.Probably it is only a matter of remapping the engine.

Unfortunately, BMW stealers in the US don't really do much except care when your next BMW purchase or lease is coming up. They won't even program stuff like convenience close windows and are very willing to void parts of the warranty if you even try and mess with the electric wiring stuff.:rolleyes:

Thanks for the correction AzNM. :thumbup: Guess I was just hoping for an extra 5 ;) . I'm also hoping BMW puts the turbo engine in there by the time I want to purchase another X3! :bmw:

Send complaining letters to bmw in germany.American market is the biggest for bmw and i quess is concerned for complaints.In greece there are not such problems.Why not trying to a bmw workshop and not the official bmw.A mechanic specialised in bmws could do the job or an upgrader.You have one of the best in the world,dinan.

I AM SURE DIESEL IS BUCH BETTER AND X3 SD! HAS NOW 286 HP!! HOWEVER DIESEL IS NOT PERMITTED IN ATHENS! GOING BACK TO OUR SUBJECT, I AM SURE THAT NEW X3 CONSUMPTION WILL GO DOWN. AT LEAST THATS WHAT I SEE FROM EXISTING OWNERS.

THE ENGINES ARE 100% SAME. IT JUST A DIFFERENT TUNING DUE TO SOME REGULATIONS I GUESS.

I Tested Again This Weekend; And With D In Highways I Can Have 3800 With About 140 Km ! I Dont Know Which Gear It Uses, But Thats What I Can See. I Think Consumption Started To Go Down.... I Did See An Improvement At 1000 Km. Why So Much Surprise For 4000 Rpms? I Think That Even The Manual Considers 4000rpm As A Safe Max Limit. I Ll Check Again Tonight But I Am Sure. Shall I Mention That I Am Not Talking About Diesel Engine?

Thanks/reverting

People aren't questioning that 4000 RPM is a "safe limit" (everyone knows BMW engines can safely rev far higher than that). What people are questioning is whether your car is in the proper gear when you are driving at that speed. It sounds like it's not in top gear. Try putting it into manual mode and making sure it is in top gear at that speed, then check the RPM. I find that ours often shifts down and holds a lower gear when it doesn't need to, and I will manually shift it to the highest gear to keep the RPMs lower (and get better fuel economey).

ILL CHECK OT SOON. BARE IN MIND THAT I GOT THE NEW 6-GEAR BOX, WHICH IS QUITE DIFFERENT COMPARED TO YOURS.

IN ANY CASE LET ME INFORM YOU THAT I HAVE SEEN A GREAT REDUCTION NOW. FROM 22LTRS/100KM , I AM AROUND 17 LTRS/100KM IN CITY....! AND I AM STILL UNDER 1000 KM. REVERTING

Your 6 speed still has the same final drive ratio as a 5 speed.

MPG is UP!
 

Today I averaged 26.4 MPG (based on computer) at 70 MPH for 100 miles. I used cruise control. It was about 32 degrees F. The terrain is flat and I had a slight tail wind. I run a K & N filter. I am pleased with those numbers considering the type of vehicle.

Mark

Excellent! I actually broke 27 mpg ONCE on the way to Oklahoma City. But that was with a 30 mph tailwind! Thankfully the wind changed direction and calmed down before the trip back home. I almost always get 26-26.5 mpg at 70-75.

DIESEL COMSUMPTION and rpm restrictions
 

Just got X3 3.0 SD for my wife...

Took it yesterday from dealer and insurance company. We also noticed 22 litres/km consumption on computer... Car is in first 100 km of use....

X3 3.0 SD manual specifies max 2000RPM and max speed of 150KM untill first 2000 km is reached.

So the figures of 4000 rpm you are declaring is for petrol engines - which is also stated in manual....

Our diler mentioned that we can try the car in any rpm an in any speed but just for a short run test...

Will post data of diesel usage in furter progress...

Regards

How could all of us spend 40 large on a X3 and be so darn concerned about gas milage? Who cares? Want milage by a Prius

Actually, no. As Jeremy Clarkson will tell you, any ordinary diesel will get much better gas mileage than the Prius. The Prius will get no more than about 38mpg tops in normal driving.

I agree
 

spell check on isle 5. ;)

:iagree: If you want high mpg then by a motorcycle or small car:thumbup: I want to maximize my mpg, but I did not purchase the X3 for economical driving. I purchased the X3 for comfort, safety & versatility.

I think considering a 4000 lb vehicle with 260HP and a high profile shape the X3 gets pretty good mileage--My '07 does 23-26 easily on the road and a steady 18-19 in the 'burbs"--on 89 octane gas.

Funny how you spelled aisle wrong. (Or was it intentional?)

40 LARGE ? I VE SPENT USD 91000 ! AND THE COST / LITER IS 1.3 USD !

ITS NOT A MATTER OF MONEY ! IT IS ONLY IS ENGINE WORKS ALRIGHT

I FULLY AGREE WITH YOU.THE DEALER SAID THE SAME FOR MY PETROL. I SAW 22 FOR THE FIRST 500. ITS GOING BETTER KNOW. I WANTED AN SD BUT NOT PERMITTED HERE. PERHAPS AFTER 1-2 YEARS. KEEP ME POSTED WITH YOUR CONSUMPTION. IT IS INTERESTING TO KNOW.THANKS

funnier still is that "by" was caught but many posts here don't have 3 words in a row spelled correctly.
This thread started out by a guy driving his new X3 down the hiway for hours at 70mph and 4000 rpm. It's turned in to a spell check???
We still haven't got to the root of 4000rpm at 70mph.
How'd I do? Eervytinhg splel chcek OK?

what you dont understand ? 4000 rpm & 160 KM(about).

If my math is correct 160KM per hour equates to about 99MPH
A new car with almost no miles on it, traveling at 99 MPH for extended periods of time = bad gas milage. What you don't understand? This thread has become a waste of bandwidth. Tell us what kinf of milage you get when you get 16,000KM on the X3 and start driving like you want better milage. Doing 160KM isn't going to give it to you.

1st...the car had 400 km or more
2nd... nobody said extended. the oposite. here we dont have such long ways, and the trafic is alway bad. i was able to maintain it for max 5-10 mins, then down to 3500 then slowly back to 3900.
3rd... neither bmw nor dealer have a doubt on that ! manual says no more than 4000 rpm.
4th do you think that going low is better ? as a mechanical engineer I realy think that there is no prob at all. from one side the perfect machining of these engines, the quality of metals and the progress in lube oils will not do any harm at all.
To be honest with you, i dont understand that last 3 lnes ...!
why do you think that bmw gives you 25,000 km for the first oil change???
the times have changed. Let your car breath !!!

Sounds like this guy is determined to drive in lower gears and higher RPM --3500 to 3900 RPM is way to high for normal driving--Just because the manual limits to 4000 RPM does not mean to cruise at 3900 RPM---put the car in "D" and drive (or 6th gear if manual)--Or just drive as you are and quit complaining about gas mileage. :rant:

No one speaks of harm to your engine and no one doubts that BMW engines are engineering masterpieces meant to be driven. You original post had such little info in it that I'm still suprised it went on for this long. Your concern was for gas "consumption" We understand you have a 6 speed, that's not your problem. Keep your foot out of it and watch you consumption go way down, that's your problem. Going "low" is better for mileage going fast is better for fun. Lastly, I don't know why "BMW gives you 25,000 km for the first oil change". I change mine at much sooner than that.
Ok now, I have to go watch the grass grow.

Whats going on here?
Last time I checked and read , all YES ALL SUVs , SAVs consume more fuel because of its weight. PERIOD. NO IFs or Buts AROUND IT. Only way to get around it is by buying a Hybrid or compact cars.

I disagree--most SUV's consume more--the '07 x3 is EPA 18/26 about on par with larger cars. It gets better mileage than the Audi Allroad I traded in--a station wagon--it was rated at 15/23.--in the SUV group it gets good mileage and does not require premium fuel.:thumbup:

dug01 ,
I stated hybrid or compact cars, not an Audi allroad or larger vehicles. My point is, if anyone is willing spend dollars on these type's of vehicles AWD, SUV, Full size high end cars, the last thing you should be worried about is gas consumption nor the type of fuel its neeed for it to run.

Now if the Diesels were offered here and MB has a few models out there, that would be a totally different discussion. But I do not believe they offer it on the ML series.... Which is what I earlier stated, Gas consumptions on SUV's. Can't get around it because they are heavy.
Power to weight ratio!

Actually, MB has their ML 320 CDI........as shown from my pics at the auto show. The X5 apparently will be the first diesel in the US coming soon.

interesting those CDI's have massive torque...thanks for the clarification

dear friend, the complaint was only for city driving with D mode and 2000 - 2800 rpm !!! where I see 21 - 20 ltrs/100 km.

when i go out, with D mode or manual at 3500 rpm or more the consumption is just perfect about 14 - 13 ltrs/100 km. I have to clarify that here we dont have roads to maintain such speeds for long time, few minutes that s all. And for the last 1300 km, only 100 - 200 have been with more than 3000 rpm.

so the case applies to all, and it is simple : which is the consumption with d mode in city for a new X3 3.0L petrol auto and low KM ???:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Yannis,

City driving, stop and go traffic will obviously consume more fuel than driving on a highway.( didnt you say you are a mechanical engineer?) There is really nothing you can do with the Revolutions Per Minute on an automatic transmission. You can switch it to manual mode and start off at 4rd gear if you want , but why do that.
My suggestion raise your tire pressure( it may help in consumption) keep it on D and enjoy the vehicle. If it continues to bother you... have a few drinks and SELL IT .

all discussions started which was your consumption for the first 1000 - 4000 km.
it is crystal clear that city demands more fuel. but there is a limit for everything. you can not accept 30 ltrs/100 ...just because it is the city. Thats why there is this forum, to exchange opinions with other users.
it is perhaps the desease of engineer not to leave behind anything, and try to understand any problem. The gear is always set to D in city.

30l/100km in the city average? Geez something's wrong cuz that's about 7.8 US miles per gallon. Either you're driving in a parking lot, or something else is messed up. Even when I am a leadfoot in the city, I don't get any worse average than 12mpg (19 l /100km). Overall, every tank of gas ends up averaging 20-21mpg, or 11-ish l/100km.

Btw, I found this nifty calculator: :p http://www.onlineconversion.com/fuel_consumption.htm

With the diesel option $1500 to $3000 more than gas and diesel fuel as much as $.30 more a gallon in some areas and the higher maintenance (more frequent oil change and most have 3 to 4 more quarts capacity) I don't see the financial advantage unless you tow stuff alot. The same with hybrids--the extra cost up front (even with the gov incentives) it was calculated in many sources that you would have to own the vehicle for at least 5 years to break even if you drive average miles per year when compared to the standard engine--and in 5 years could be the battery pack would need replacement. For most of us the gas (not ethanol) fueled internal combustion engine is the best so far. :thumbup:
I am quite pleased with the mileage on my X3--and my Z4

Dug01,

Cost is not the issue....MPG buddy;)