Miles vs MPG (KPM for metric versions)
 

My X5 has turned the 150,000+ miles. Going strong and daily driver. Out of curiosity, I checked the average MPG for consumer two. It's been running since a battery replacement in Feb. Not bad 17.0 MPG. It needs a tune up (spark plugs), better tires, and a few fixes. An oil change later this week. I'm changing the plugs since I have no idea of mileage on them. Running good and smooth. Wished idle was about 50 RPMs higher at stop lights to keep it from vibrating. First oil change was to clean it out. Second oil change has run 5k miles. Time for it's third for its next 5k miles. The average is slightly generous. Better than my 11-13 MPG truck though. However, the new HEMI may actually meet or beat the X5 with 395 hp and 8 speed.

How does the X5 stand against with others of similar mileage? Only one trip out town with speeds 70-75 has been made. The trip was about 230 miles round trip. It hit right above 24 MPG.

I get around 20s for mix city and highway driving. Road trips I get higher in the mid 20s--which sounds about right.

As per your vibration comment, changing motor mounts may indeed help with your issue. I did both of mine with little to no challenge (assuming you have the 3.0).

Wish my X got that kind of mileage.

You can up your idle speed with a Foxwell scanner. Well worth the $150 investment as it usually pays for itself the first time you use it.

I do own a Foxwell 520 Pro. I know the setting is there somewhere. I plan to update it with GM software this week. I need GM software for another vehicle.

I log all my mileage on all my cars. I have owned my X a little over 5 years and 22k miles, and I am at 117k total mileage now. My lifetime average since I bought the car is 17.0 mpg. Which is very low. I would not say 17mpg is good for a 3.0 unless you drive all city all the time. Or if you live in California or anywhere else that you have to drive the 0-90-0 dash like an absolute maniac every day just to survive.

The reason my average is this low because:
1. Somewhere around 25% of all the miles I have put on this car is towing a trailer, averaging 12-13mpg.

2. When I am not towing, this is a sparsely-used second vehicle, which I almost exclusively drive on short trips in town. The best I have gotten is 23mpg on the highway, but I rarely can get 20mpg from a full tank.

Here is my mileage and maintenance log. I have found this is a good practice to actually know what your mileage is, how it changes with your driving, and how it changes when things break and/or get fixed. I do not know how accurate the dash is, but they are often significantly off. Fuel-up logs will tell you the real story.

https://www.fuelly.com/car/bmw/x5/2003/bdc/454415

FWIW, I try to minimize my mileage on this car because the mileage is so bad. I prefer not to subsidize the Saudi royal family's next palace.

I would be extremely happy if I got 17mpg average. As with OP, ours just turned 150k miles as well and it's averaging between 13-14mpg with mostly city driving :(

It's mixed driving but we live in a large city. Austin, Tx.
I updated my maintenance log sheet. For 7528 recorded miles since purchase and fuel receipts, MPG = 16.06. So the gauge is generous by 1 MPG. I have a light food compared to the wifey. I can keep the gauge above 17, she's closer to 16. When the GMIII module is out for repairs, new plugs will go in. Diff oil too. The transfer case and transmission had oil changes immediately after purchase. Maintenance and cosmetic costs so far, about 3/4 of purchase price.

I've been tracking my mileage Since Nov 2015. 108500 miles tracked. 262000 miles on the X. My long term average is about 15.5. The last year has been almost exclusively city driving and that's been averaging between 12 and 13. I've seen 20 on a long freeway run, but that's the best I ever see. I don't have a light foot, so I could probably do a little better if I lightened it up.

That's what I mean, you Californians have to drive like absolute maniacs all the time just to survive. It takes a huge toll on your mileage.



I was on a business trip last week to SF (first trip since before the virus hit), and my blood pressure was sky high every time I had to get in my car. Everybody just drives like they are crazy people all the time, everywhere.

I've been driving for 46 years now, all of them in California, SF Bay Area. There were years my job had me putting in 20,000 to 30,000 miles a year. Drivers have gotten worse and worse. They were never very good, it's too easy to get a license, but the last few years have been particularly bad as things have declined.