finski

Not sure why the mph reference and I never pay attention to that stat. around city with combined hwy I have never gone below 20 mpg, even at virtually all city. On long hwy trips running 80+ mph, I have hit 33 mpg. 2004 545.

tuffluck

from wikipedia:

"EU fuel economy testing is done on a rolling road with two segments, ECE15 and EUDC, which correspond to city and highway driving, respectively. The city driving cycle simulates a 4,052 m (2.518 mile) urban trip at an average speed of 18.7 km/h (11.6 mph) and at a maximum speed of 50 km/h (31 mph), while the highway cycle lasts 400 seconds (6 minutes 40 seconds) at an average speed 62.6 km/h (39 mph) and a top speed of 120 km/h (74.6 mph).[13]"

EPA testing procedure through 2007:

"Two separate fuel economy tests simulate city driving and highway driving: the city driving program consists of starting with a cold engine and making 23 stops over a period of 31 minutes for an average speed of 20 mph (32 km/h) and with a top speed of 56 mph (90 km/h); the highway program uses a warmed-up engine and makes no stops, averaging 48 mph (77 km/h) with a top speed of 60 mph (97 km/h) over a 10 mile (16 km) distance. The measurements are then adjusted downward by 10% (city) and 22% (highway) to more accurately reflect real-world results. A weight average of city (55%) and highway (45%) fuel economies is used to determine the tax."

EPA testing procedure: 2008 and beyond

"As a means of reflecting real world fuel economy more accurately, the EPA adds three new tests[33] that will combine with the current city and highway cycles to determine fuel economy of new vehicles, beginning with the 2008 model year. A high speed/quick acceleration loops lasts 10 minutes, covers 8 miles (13 km), averages 48 mph (77 km/h) and reaches a top speed of 80 mph (130 km/h). Four stops are included, and brisk acceleration maximizes at a rate of 8.46 mph (13.62 km/h) per second. The engine begins warm and air conditioning is not used. Ambient temperature varies between 68 °F (20 °C) to 86 °F (30 °C)."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fuel_ec...in_automobiles

lincvert

My car is in the shop right now, but I have hand calculated every tank for 35k miles and range between 20mpg low and 26mpg high. This is in primarily stop and go traffic heading into DC every day. I think the manual transmission must make a HUGE difference. I'll get mph figures in a few weeks once my car is back home.

baby_d

2004 525i 23.3 mpg and I think I'm at 24.7 mph.

vsark

2004 530i

consistently get 16 - 18 MPG

avg. speed ~ 22 MPH in city

On all highway, I have got ~ 25 MPG, 55 MPH

Sounds kinda low compared to everyone else here. Cleaned Air Filter, added fuel system cleaner, etc.. but no improvement.

any ideas?

tuffluck

how many miles are on the car?

sounds close to what i get, tho slightly different engines. also i get better on the highway...

vsark

58K miles.