[Sail Boat]

I received a few comments and messages requesting a real-world MPG test to confirm the accuracy of the on-board MPG computer.

Test started with a full tank and my odometer at 46,088 miles and the trip computer/MPG reset. According to the computer, I covered 262.3 miles and averaged 20.3 MPG. This is a combination of city driving (Washington, DC), highway (beltway, 495, etc) and backroads around great falls. I recently installed KW V3's and have been enjoying the snot out of them, so this MPG reading is much lower than usual.

I ran the tank close to empty and found my car had spent 12.37 gallons.

Let's do some math:

262.3 miles / 12.37 gallons = 21.2 MPG

If I've done this correctly, my MPG computer was .9 MPG conservative in this scenario. This is good news, since many have concerns that the on board computer is optimistic.

After Fuelling - reset Trip and MPG

Miles covered & AVG MPG (lead foot after the KW V3 Install)

Gallons added:





If any of you have followed my posts, It's no secret that I hype up the M235i; but come on... this is objectively impressive.

At 2:00 PM this past Friday (2/23), I drove 224 miles via I-95 from Washington, DC to Times Square, NYC. My highway speeds ranged between 65-70 mph and I only hit about 30 total miles of traffic, split between Baltimore and NJ Turnpike. Note that I drafted behind semis as often as possible, I'd say 25% of the trip.

Tank was filled prior to the trip + reset trip computer. The total drive consumed half a tank @ 224 miles with an average of 34.7 mpg, implying a total range of approximately 475-500 miles, traffic permitting.

I can't think of any direct competitors to the F22, especially at 320 hp and 6 pots, that can match this fuel efficiency? Perhaps the Golf R/S3 are contenders with fewer cylinders and less power...

]

[p912guy]

I've never completely trusted the onboard computer for mpg readings as I have found them to be a bit optimistic. That said, based on beginning with a full tank of gas, driving to approximately an 1/8th of a tank remaining and filling back up again and dividing mileage driven by gallons consumed, the best I have achieved is 31.98 mpg while interstate highway driving. My day-to-day commuting averages 22-24 mpg. Considering I am driving an m235i with a 300+ hp 6 cylinder engine, I am very pleased. It's not as good as my MINI Cooper S was (38-39 mpg hwy and 30 mpg day-to-day) but the BMW is so much more all-around enjoyable, I'm not complaining.

[petegtsv10]

With that great mpg you can afford to paint the chips from drafting semis.....

[3.0L]

Your MPG sounds about normal for the M235i.

I've enjoyed 32 to 34 MPG on 300+ mile trips that included about 200 miles on I-5. Cruising speed on I-5 varied from 70 to 80 MPH and 55 to 65 on the 2-lane highways, including brief excursions to 90+ MPH to pass a line of trucks.

It's simply a have-your-cake-and-eat-too car!

And oh yeah, I based my MPG on fill-ups, not the computer.

[Maynard]

I try to remember to use eco pro when I'm on cruise (the only time). It nets about a 3-5% gain, and on cruise you don't notice the eco-pro.

[stevenvillatoro]

Originally Posted by Maynard

I try to remember to use eco pro when I'm on cruise (the only time). It nets about a 3-5% gain, and on cruise you don't notice the eco-pro.

Strange how those crazy German "engineers" omitted the useful Instant Fuel Economy dash display whenever driving in ECO PRO mode.

[Maynard]

I thought you could program the ECO readout with all kinds of different info - youre spot on that it would be (is?) totally stupid to remove that from the ECO mode altogether (my gripe is that all the cute crap replaces the temp and trip odo, but I hadn't taken time to reconfigure it). That little needle guage is a joke - I'm eiahter at 50+ (decelerating to a stop) or pegging it to the low end by even thinking about the accelerator - I tried a few drives to accell w/o pegging it, but gave up when I couldn't hit traffic speed in a block.

[Sail Boat]

Originally Posted by petegtsv10

With that great mpg you can afford to paint the chips from drafting semis.....

You seem delightful! My car is fully wrapped in 3M vinyl.

[3rdcoast228i]

Even if the computer is optimistic, you are probably at least getting the manufacturer rating or better.


Best I've had in the 4pot is 39 mpg. I've been very impressed with the fuel economy under all driving conditions, but these cars sure do love the highway.

[petegtsv10]

Originally Posted by Sail Boat

You seem delightful! My car is fully wrapped in 3M vinyl.

I am delightful, but I forgot to add a to my post. It was meant very light-heartedly.

[MetalMK]

17 MPG city for 228i Xdrive here. I am definitely not a fuel efficient driver lol

[p912guy]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

Strange how those crazy German "engineers" omitted the useful Instant Fuel Economy dash display whenever driving in ECO PRO mode.

My m235i displays instant mpg while in Eco mode. Just have to scroll through selections with the button on the turn signal stalk.

[VIN240i13]

I’m tracking MPG’s by the fuel amount from day one, as other have mentioned I also do not trust the on-board computer numbers. So far 1235 miles since delivery; with drive mode in Sport the majority of the time and top down I am around 26 MPG average, I am more than happy with those numbers.

[tripitz]

Originally Posted by 3rdcoast228i

Even if the computer is optimistic, you are probably at least getting the manufacturer rating or better.


Best I've had in the 4pot is 39 mpg. I've been very impressed with the fuel economy under all driving conditions, but these cars sure do love the highway.

I'm averaging 27mpg over 3k miles so far in mixed driving without running eco mode. I think that's ok.

Curious what I will get on pure highway driving at speed. My C63S actually gets terrific gas mileage on the highway in Comfort mode... 28mpg average at a nice clip. The v8 doesn't have to work so it's easy to get good mileage. The 4 pot seems to have to work a bit...

[AlpsRider]

I was able to get 34+ mpg on highway trips as long as I was mindful of not doing any speed racer passes. If the trip is in the mountains then EcoPro makes a big difference on the downhill side. This car is capable of incredible gas mileage until you use the gas peddle. Since I upgraded to 235/265 tires the gas mileage has gone down, especially in city driving. I'm not complaining though because the handling is so much better.

[mayday813]

Drove 1395 miles at an average speed of 71 mph and averaged 28.6 mpg (actual, not computer). Held speed to 80 mph on the interstates IA to OH and back on winter tires.

[wjones14]

I never got close to the OP's mileage on mine in almost 3 years of ownership. The EPA numbers are just about spot on for me: 19/28/22 city/highway/combined.

I am pleasantly surprised by the urban mileage. My work commute is a 6 mile non-highway urban route with speed limit from 25 to 35 and 17 stop lights. I probably average hitting 6 red lights or so every day. I switch between Sport and Comfort modes, leave the auto-off feature OFF, short shift for fuel economy, and average almost 22 mpg.

[Sail Boat]

Originally Posted by wjones14

I never got close to the OP's mileage on mine in almost 3 years of ownership. The EPA numbers are just about spot on for me: 19/28/22 city/highway/combined.

I am pleasantly surprised by the urban mileage. My work commute is a 6 mile non-highway urban route with speed limit from 25 to 35 and 17 stop lights. I probably average hitting 6 red lights or so every day. I switch between Sport and Comfort modes, leave the auto-off feature OFF, short shift for fuel economy, and average almost 22 mpg.

Yours is a 6MT, right?

[wjones14]

Originally Posted by Sail Boat

Yours is a 6MT, right?

Yes, just fixed my signature. It did say M6, but seems the correct abbreviation is 6MT.

It looks like you have the automatic judging by your screenshot. What are the EPA estimates on your window sticker?

[ianp622]

Originally Posted by stevenvillatoro

Strange how those crazy German "engineers" omitted the useful Instant Fuel Economy dash display whenever driving in ECO PRO mode.

You can turn off the eco pro dash display in the iDrive settings for eco pro, and then it will still give you the mpg under the RPM gauge.

[harma24]

Originally Posted by ianp622

You can turn off the eco pro dash display in the iDrive settings for eco pro, and then it will still give you the mpg under the RPM gauge.

Or press the onboard computer button on the turn signal lever.

[ianp622]

Originally Posted by harma24

Or press the onboard computer button on the turn signal lever.

Yeah, but you have to do that every time, and the charge/power gauge is kind of useless.