How Juicy is your five? (Tank range)
Printed From: Bavarian-Board.co.uk - BMW Owners Discussion Forum
Category: Technical & Model Specific Forums
Forum Name: BMW 5 Series
Forum Discription: This forum will deal with any issues on the BMW 5 Series (E12, E28, E34, E39, E60 & E61)
URL: http://www.bavarian-board.co.uk/forum_posts.asp?TID=26765
Printed Date: 29-May-2024 at 04:10
Topic: How Juicy is your five? (Tank range)
Posted By: Loz535
Subject: How Juicy is your five? (Tank range)
Date Posted: 02-February-2006 at 15:39
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Just wondered what the comparison was in real life between a six banger and an 8 banger E39? If you wouldn't mind puting what you get to a tank and what your think (or your OBC tells you) your MPG average is per tank that would be realy helpful to this new owner. Cheers! ------------- BMW 535i V8 Step.   
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Replies:
Posted By: bencolem
Date Posted: 02-February-2006 at 15:50
| My E34 540iA Touring has delivered 24.1mpg since the day I bought it (4,000 miles ago) according to the OBC. Most I've seen from a tank is just over 400 miles, least is just under 300miles. Wrong car, but I hope it helps! |
Posted By: Gee
Date Posted: 02-February-2006 at 16:06
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30+ MPG and 500+ miles to a tank on my 530i Sport (manual). Granted most of my miles are A road. ------------- 2001 Alpina B10 V8 Touring 012/1 2004 Yamaha YZF-R6 |
Posted By: Loz535
Date Posted: 02-February-2006 at 16:08
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and is that a six banger, Gee?
------------- BMW 535i V8 Step.
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Posted By: darkspirit
Date Posted: 02-February-2006 at 16:16
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I get about 100 miles from £20 I have a 6 pot 528 ------------- '99 E39 528i SE Manual Scwartz black with Grey leather In the words of SPACEBALLS 'may the schwartz be with you...' :-) 
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Posted By: Loz535
Date Posted: 02-February-2006 at 16:20
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how often do you reset your OBC?
------------- BMW 535i V8 Step.
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Posted By: whitey
Date Posted: 02-February-2006 at 17:14
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My 523 has averaged 24.9mpg over the last 3 years. I zero'd one of the MPG computers the day I bought it and have not touched it since. Types of journeys are mostly short. The other MPG computer I zero before a long journey. Most I've seen is 34mpg over a 300 mile trip to Cornwall and on trips like this I see approx. 410 to 440 miles to a tank. Cars a 523iSE with steptronic box. Will be interesting after this weekend as I currently have the proverbial stuck open thermostat! I'm changing it Saturday. During this cold spell the temp gauge barely leaves the stop and the computer is reading 22.9mpg which is low. I reackon it will improve but by how much?
------------- 2000 e39 523i with full factory sport kit. 1989 e30 325i Convertible 1999 Golf GTI 1.8T |
Posted By: Loz535
Date Posted: 02-February-2006 at 17:16
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Thats good to know... I am hoping to get 300+ from a tank. Which I don't even know the cost of yet...
------------- BMW 535i V8 Step.
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Posted By: gordon530
Date Posted: 02-February-2006 at 17:46
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E39 528i/530i (6) Manual 27 - 33 mpg, 450 - 500 miles range E39 530d (6) Manual 40 - 47 mpg, 650 - 700 miles range E39 540i (8) Auto 22 - 30 mpg, 300 - 400 miles range. |
Posted By: Doive
Date Posted: 02-February-2006 at 17:55
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I know it's bit old for comparison, but I'm feeling better now. Having gone from an Astra 1.4, which got 45 - 50 mpg on a long run, to the 525e, which gets 35ish mpg on a run, I thought something was broken. In fact, I was underneath with a torch checking all the fuel lines! Around town the big girl gets about 25 mpg. 70 litre tank, 60 quid to fill, gives 500+ to the tankful, in theory. In reality I can watch the gauge drop as I accelerate, and when it kicks down you can hear the fuel swirling through the injectors. Ouch. And this is supposed to be the eta, the economical version! I dread to think what an M535 is like. ------------- 1987 BMW 525e Lux Auto (sadly deceased) http://www.getfirefox.com - Get Firefox - Ditch Hopeless Inertnet Exploder http://www.doive.co.uk - www.doive.co.uk 
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Posted By: Loz535
Date Posted: 02-February-2006 at 18:07
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I'm excited about my first fill up at the pumps. Want to see how long it lasts.
------------- BMW 535i V8 Step.
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Posted By: Doive
Date Posted: 02-February-2006 at 18:12
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I'm not excited, I'm terrified mate.
------------- 1987 BMW 525e Lux Auto (sadly deceased) http://www.getfirefox.com - Get Firefox - Ditch Hopeless Inertnet Exploder http://www.doive.co.uk - www.doive.co.uk
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Posted By: UKDaveJ
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 03:04
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On Saturday (last) morning I filled the car to the first click with normal unleaded from our local Esso garage. Car being a manual 1995 6 pot M50 engined E34 520i SE, non OBC. On Sunday afternoon I did the same exercise, same garage, same pump, first click. We had covered 417 miles on that tank. 4 adults, boot full of luggage etc. Using http://www.geocities.com/mpgcalc/ - THIS FACILITY , OUR economy worked out to be just over 31 mpg. Our journey had been from Bromsgrove (Worcs) to Leyland (Lancs) via Leeds/Bradford airport & the reverse the following day. Therefore whilst there was about 70% of the 417 miles journey that was motorway, there was also lots of fiddly urban stuff cutting around L/B getting to/from the airport, so the box got stirred a fair old bit & on the Saturday we were running late for the wedding so a good spell on the M62/60 saw 90 mph+ for a reasonable distance. We had travelled north at 75 - 80 mph, apart from above. Similar on way home. I reckon that this is not bad for a car thats done 137k. Just thought I'd share this with you all. Also, according to the AA route planner that journey should have equated to 419 miles, not too bad then that AA stuff!!!!  Dunno what happened to those 2 miles.......    PLEASE ALSO NOTE, JAYSON AT CHIPPEDUK FITTED A NEW CHIP & REMAPPED IT FOR ME A FEW MONTHS BACK, I'M SURE THIS MUST HAVE HELPED THE ECONOMY GAINED OVER THIS JOURNEY. ------------- My 635's.  
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Posted By: Gee
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 03:46
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It certainly is. As I said most of my driving is A road at 60 ish with cruise on. ------------- 2001 Alpina B10 V8 Touring 012/1 2004 Yamaha YZF-R6 |
Loz535 wrote:Posted By: Loz535
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 03:59
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I heard (and therefore offer this as one technician's oppinion) that
the 520I was the worst on fuel because it was still thirsty and
yet didn't give you the performance. I have to say, my first drive in an E39 was a 520i SE Steptronic and I thought it was fine for performance around urban routes. That was stepping out of my Audi TT... I've now gone for Mr Slurpy  If I pay £50 at the pumps and see 280 miles I'll be chuffed. ------------- BMW 535i V8 Step.
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Posted By: UKDaveJ
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 04:11
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Ours has got significantly better since Jayson chipped it. Its my wifes car! What does she need performance for?? Previously we had an 03 330d & prior to that 51 TT225   ------------- My 635's.
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Posted By: Exharper
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 04:36
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Hi, ive got a 523 i se, 134 K i get average 22-24 on short runs 34-36 mpg on motorway runs @ 80mph-cruise on 41 mpg on motorway at 64 mph-cruise on On average a trip to london (Woolich ferry)from bristol costs me £50 return. Thats about 360miles,so about 430 miles per tank. cheers
------------- Beemer dan 523i SE 1997 (184K) Canyon Rot Red, auto. 330 CI Msport Convertible, blue 51K. |
Posted By: Sarnie
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 04:47
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The best mpg I got from my 525 M50TU was on a non-stop gentle cruise back from the south of France at 65-70mph on the toll motorway which gave me 36.5mpg. The most I've got in the tank (1 click) is 78.51 litres a couple of weeks ago so in theory if my sums are right I could get a range of 630 miles on a tank ------------- 
1995 525i Touring Ford Capri 3.0 S Ford Capri 3.0 Ghia |
Posted By: Doive
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 06:14
My next car's a 530d, after reading this thread! 
------------- 1987 BMW 525e Lux Auto (sadly deceased) http://www.getfirefox.com - Get Firefox - Ditch Hopeless Inertnet Exploder http://www.doive.co.uk - www.doive.co.uk
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Posted By: bpc101
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 09:14
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Mines a 528 i SE E39 Auto Usually get 26-28 mpg on a tank which equates to about 400 miles and just under £60 to fill. Best run was 60 miles up the M11 last month where I achieve 36mpg... ------------- ----- E39 528i SE |
Posted By: Mick525i
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 09:26
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Help, Im only getting 20.4mpg mostly around town but over 3K miles I have yet to get 300 miles from a tank... Mick ------------- Cheers Mick 
BMW E21 318 1980 BMW E39 525i 2002 MTech VW Golf Gti 2003 |
Posted By: Exharper
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 10:10
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lift the foot off slightly!!!!! and try resetting the OBC again and drive as eco as possible for a couple trips...Dont forget its been cold out there and i think that uses more fuel. How far are your journeys? ------------- Beemer dan 523i SE 1997 (184K) Canyon Rot Red, auto. 330 CI Msport Convertible, blue 51K. |
Posted By: mmm-five
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 10:16
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My 'six-banger' does a maximum of 475 miles on a 90L tank (about 24mpg) - and the last 75 miles were with the fuel warning light on! More usually it does 350 miles on a tank (17.5mpg) and about 150 miles of track work (7.5mpg). ------------- |
Posted By: Bill-
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 10:16
change the oil it gives imediate gains  ------------- Hayabusa |
Posted By: Bill-
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 10:17
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and what engine ------------- Hayabusa |
Posted By: stephenperry
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 12:41
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i get about 26mpg average according to the OBC, 70 litre tank gives... err... 390 - 400 miles to a tank ? mostly a-road and b-road driving with minimal town work 6-cylinder 3.3 litre petrol, 5-speed manual ------------- 2007 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI Titanium X Auto 1983 Ford Sierra XR4i 2000 Alpina B10 3.3 #118 1999 BMW 323Ci 1995 BMW 318i SE 1994 Vauxhall Omega 2.0 GLS 1995 Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX 1990 Honda Concerto 1.6 EX 1986 Ford Orion 1.6 GL 1989 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Firefly |
Posted By: EurIng
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 14:03
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530d E60 auto - 42.5 mpg for the last 50k miles - not bad eh?
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Posted By: whitey
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 14:47
i got time to change the stat (and yes it was totally shot to bits!)when I got home tonight and I've just been on a rough 20 mile run mix of country lanes and by pass up to 90 mph! Zero'd the computer which was reading 22.7mpg on mainly a similar type of driving. After the 20 mile run of my normal driving..........the trips reading 28.2mpg!!!!! 22.7 to 28.2 after just changing the stat! Can engine temp REALLY make that much difference? It certainly feels much free'er and smoother.
------------- 2000 e39 523i with full factory sport kit. 1989 e30 325i Convertible 1999 Golf GTI 1.8T |
Posted By: Loz535
Date Posted: 03-February-2006 at 16:32
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Inlet temp and engine temp are critical to both performance and economy respectively. Ever noticed on a cool damp morning how spritely your car feels? intake! Ever noticed how much more economy you get when your engine sits at the prescribed temp (blueprinted tollerances)? Your car is working harmoneously thats all. PS. can I just say: " V8 rules!!!! " just got mine tonight and I LOVE it. ------------- BMW 535i V8 Step.
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Posted By: Loz535
Date Posted: 04-February-2006 at 15:11
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having reset the mpg I'm getting 24 urban driving. might go for a
little run down the motorway to see what it returns... would be nice to
see 27+ but its a 3.5 v8 so I'm not going to get my hopes too high!
------------- BMW 535i V8 Step.
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Posted By: Doive
Date Posted: 04-February-2006 at 15:41
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Haha, I took mine out for a blast tonight, waited until nice and warm then gave it loads of right foot. Quick old girl once you put your foot down, she squats down nicely and gathers pace. However, when I got back to the house I pressed the consum button on the OBC - 12.8 mpg! Lovely job. ------------- 1987 BMW 525e Lux Auto (sadly deceased) http://www.getfirefox.com - Get Firefox - Ditch Hopeless Inertnet Exploder http://www.doive.co.uk - www.doive.co.uk
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Posted By: Loz535
Date Posted: 04-February-2006 at 17:33
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I'm wondering what it will take before I give my bimma a good hard
right foot full? I just cant see it happening somehow. I like the
serenity of its effortless cruising power...
------------- BMW 535i V8 Step.
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Posted By: Mick525i
Date Posted: 05-February-2006 at 04:45
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hi again, After reading the figures posted here I decided to go for a drive. I restet the obc loaded up with wife and child and did a 80 mile round trip on the motorway for half and the rest back over the wicklow gap.(my fav road when on my own O mines a 523i auto 2000 reg. with 56k miles on the clock
cheers Mick ------------- Cheers Mick
BMW E21 318 1980 BMW E39 525i 2002 MTech VW Golf Gti 2003 |
Posted By: Loz535
Date Posted: 05-February-2006 at 12:30
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just done another 130 mile trip and my OBC is now showing a pretty
unshakable 27.7mpg. I've well chuffed. Even if its only 25mpg when I
fill up that won't be a huge departure from a well driven TT Turbo four
banger! Happy days... Loz ------------- BMW 535i V8 Step.
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Posted By: M5Dave
Date Posted: 05-February-2006 at 15:05
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Currently a 19.8mpg average, giving about 290 miles/tank. But it's an M5 so that's not the point.......  ------------- Dave M5 1999 e39 |
Posted By: Loz535
Date Posted: 10-February-2006 at 05:08
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Well here is a turn up for the books!! JUst reset the trip for a 40mile drive from Leeds to Blackburn. In rush out! (left at 7:50am) reset the Cons2 and on arrival it showed 31.2mpg!!! I am stunned as my TT would struggle to do the same. This a 535i auto we are talking about. in fairly heavy traffic. lots of stop start and about 15 miles on the motorway. It bodes well for my long run down the M6/M5 to Taunton... I'm lovin' this car more and more... ------------- BMW 535i V8 Step.
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Posted By: marky
Date Posted: 10-February-2006 at 12:09
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Ive got an e39 '97 528i. Around town/giving it some :-), I get 28mpg, (400-450miles a tank) To work and back (all motorway @ 70mph) 34mpg (500-550miles a tank) Oh, I reset the OBC every time I fill up. |
Posted By: chazzer
Date Posted: 10-February-2006 at 13:12
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Well guys my 540 is averaging about 19-21 mpg if i drive with gusto that drops, the lowest i have seen is 7.2 mpg or gpm !!!! cant complain though its such a buzz to have all that power and effortless cruising and just think someone paid about 40k for it when new and still had to put fuel in the 520 I has always done about 28 mpg the most i have seen is 35.6 on a run so when i feel bad about spending all that money on juice i take the 520 I.... Regards Charlie ------------- Current : 1995 BMW E34 540I Auto 98K Fully Loaded, Leather, Sat Nav & Dvd. Previous: 1991 BMW E34 520I Manual(non-vanos) 185K with full leather. 1990 BMW E34 525I Auto 113k in sterling silver & 1993 BMW E34 520I SE in dimond black |
Posted By: Doive
Date Posted: 10-February-2006 at 19:15
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Does Optimax make that much of a difference? Might give mine a drop after her service to see what she goes like then.
------------- 1987 BMW 525e Lux Auto (sadly deceased) http://www.getfirefox.com - Get Firefox - Ditch Hopeless Inertnet Exploder http://www.doive.co.uk - www.doive.co.uk
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Posted By: stephenperry
Date Posted: 10-February-2006 at 19:28
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ive tried to always use optimax wherever possible in all three of my bms (e36 318i, e46 323ci, e39 alpina) and i dont forsee changing any time soon, im that convinced ------------- 2007 Ford Mondeo 2.0 TDCI Titanium X Auto 1983 Ford Sierra XR4i 2000 Alpina B10 3.3 #118 1999 BMW 323Ci 1995 BMW 318i SE 1994 Vauxhall Omega 2.0 GLS 1995 Ford Mondeo 1.8 LX 1990 Honda Concerto 1.6 EX 1986 Ford Orion 1.6 GL 1989 Ford Fiesta 1.1 Firefly |
Posted By: SeeSure
Date Posted: 11-February-2006 at 05:58
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23.1mpg according to the OBC, so around 300 on a tank full, but like M5Dave it is the 4.9 V8 M5. When I filled up on Thursday the OBC was reading 408 mile as the range left, I almost crashed the car !!! I didn't realise it displayed as high as that in the OBC |
Posted By: Loz535
Date Posted: 12-February-2006 at 17:28
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Mine has just done a 720 mile weekend trip. mainly motorway and some town and some A/B road to the coast. Leeds/Bradford - Blackburn at rush hour Blackburn - Highworth ( Nr Swindon) M6 - M5 Highworth - Taunton M4 - M5 Taunton - Minehead - Taunton (A358) Taunton - Rugby M5 - M42 - M6 Rugby - Leeds/Bradford M6 - M42 - M1 Long old trip!! Average MPG - 31.7 !!!!!!!!! I'll drink to that. ------------- BMW 535i V8 Step.
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