[flea333]

I thought this car would get 18 mpg city like it says but I've been getting 15 mpg average just driving around town. WTF? I drive only 3 miles to work yet I use the same gas as I did when I drove 10 miles.
Does my car have an issue? What are others getting average with local driving?

[MrClean]

Your car is probably not even getting up to normal operating temperature in that distance. Also, do you do a lot of stop and go driving? That's worse than cruising at 70 mph. I recently had about a 250 mile round trip and averaged 40 mpg. However, around town that number can drop to around 26 because of the constant loss of momentum.

[gos]

i'm averaging about 20 mpg, mostly local driving

if you just got it, the engine will automatically run rich for the first thousand miles or so, then the computer will return to a normal mix

[Tory]

That's why they say average, your results may vary depending on average speed, average acceleration, and average stops.

[Hisam135i]

i get 18.8 mpg combined city and highway driving like a grandma but its worth it when i put my foot down rarely

[ThreeseriesFTW]

Throw an intake in there, and it'll improve. Also, you can get some aftermarket pullies that'll reduce the parasitic drag the engine has, which will improve gas milage. And if you want to get aggressive, you can get an upgraded intercooler, although that won't improve gas milage as much as the intake. Then of course you can do you weight reduction (carbon fiber whatever), but that won't really give you much of a mileage difference

[bsamoul]

Originally Posted by MrClean

Your car is probably not even getting up to normal operating temperature in that distance. Also, do you do a lot of stop and go driving? That's worse than cruising at 70 mph. I recently had about a 250 mile round trip and averaged 40 mpg. However, around town that number can drop to around 26 because of the constant loss of momentum.

Then again your number will always be higher because of the diesel

[John 070]

While the 328 seems to get mpgs on the lower side (based on over 1000 loaner miles), doing a mpg calc needs to be done in a way that the results are valid and reliable. A 3 mile trip is so short that there are all kinds of variables--a stop light at ave a., took 2 min. longer to leave house, stepped on gas harder to beat red light, etc.

Take your car on a trip at least 30-70 miles away, and set the cruise to 75 and don't touch it. Reset the computer prior to getting on the highway. 70 miles down the road, look at the mpg number. If it's still 15, you've got a problem.

[quality_sound]

I'm just curious why you drive if it's only 3 miles away? If I lived that close to work I'd run or ride my bike.

But to answer your question, as others have said, your engine isn't even warm yet. It's GOING to get shitty mileage.

[chucktang]

I've been a little disappointed with my MPG stats too... getting around 21mpg on 80/20 highway/city driving in my '07 335i e92. The highway usage seems to be fine... but I get really, really low in the city and I'm a moderate usage driver. It does take my engine awhile to reach operating temperature too.

[stressdoc]

I am pleased with 30mpg on highway with 335. City is unpredictable, dependent on many factors.

[Clarence Watson]

I also have about a 3 mile commute, and John 070 is right about the variables. I notice that when I get the green lights, I can get 18 or 19. When I don't, it's closer to 15 or 16. Idling and accellerating will kill the mpgs more than even a cold engine.

Originally Posted by quality_sound

I'm just curious why you drive if it's only 3 miles away? If I lived that close to work I'd run or ride my bike.

I drive because there's a foot of snow on the ground. I don't bike or run when the weather's nice because I can't easily do that wearing my work attire, esp. since there's no shower at work. People have valid reasons to drive short distances.

[qtrlifecrisis]

Originally Posted by flea333

I thought this car would get 18 mpg city like it says but I've been getting 15 mpg average just driving around town. WTF? I drive only 3 miles to work yet I use the same gas as I did when I drove 10 miles.
Does my car have an issue? What are others getting average with local driving?

your car probably doesn't even get to closed loop on that drive and back. run rich during open loop operation to warm up the engine.

i'm getting about 20 combined. still haven't had a full highway tank, but a few weeks ago it said 29mpg after about 160 miles. the city driving after that sent it down quite a bit.

[quality_sound]

Originally Posted by Clarence Watson

I also have about a 3 mile commute, and John 070 is right about the variables. I notice that when I get the green lights, I can get 18 or 19. When I don't, it's closer to 15 or 16. Idling and accellerating will kill the mpgs more than even a cold engine.



I drive because there's a foot of snow on the ground. I don't bike or run when the weather's nice because I can't easily do that wearing my work attire, esp. since there's no shower at work. People have valid reasons to drive short distances.

I understand, which is why it was a question. You can, however, run in the snow. I do it all the time.

[MrClean]

Originally Posted by bsamoul

Then again your number will always be higher because of the diesel

Well, yeah...

The point was that cruising at 80 mph my mileage is way better than puttering around town stopping at every other light.

[carve]

Is this a joke? MPG ratings are estimates. Actual mpg is entirely dependent on how you drive. 3-miles in the snow means your engine NEVER gets warm.

BTW- those kind of conditions are absolute murder on engine longevity, too. You should change your oil every 3 months if you want to avoid sludge buildup. You should also make sure it gets a ~25 minute + drive every week or two. Perhaps you can buy a beater to take that kind of abuse.

3-miles is nothing on the bike, even in work attire, without breaking a sweat. It'd probably take you an extra 5-10 minutes. I feel my commute, 10 miles and about 20 minutes, is borderline abuse on my car.

Corb: how would a low-restriction intake result in better mpg? The biggest restriction is the throttle. Lower restriction in front of the throttle just means you have to close the throttle more to achieve the same power levels. Aftermarket intakes also don't filter nearly as well.

[gasspasser]

[QUOTE=quality_sound;8679660]I'm just curious why you drive if it's only 3 miles away? If I lived that close to work I'd run or ride my bike.

+1. I would love to be able to ride my bike to work.

[Tom K.]

Originally Posted by flea333

I thought this car would get 18 mpg city like it says but I've been getting 15 mpg average just driving around town. WTF? I drive only 3 miles to work yet I use the same gas as I did when I drove 10 miles.
Does my car have an issue? What are others getting average with local driving?

I'm sure the EPA city cycle includes at least warming the motor up so 15 mpg is to be expected.

Get out on an interstate and cruise at 65~70 mph in top gear for 100 miles. If you aren't getting at least 28 mpg, get back to us.

Tom

[Hulley]

You will kill a battery like that. It takes about a 30-45 min drive to charge back what you used to start the car.

[solefald]

With 50/50 city/highway I've been averaging 19-20mpg lately on my E92 328i, but I've had as low as 15-16 before.... with a very heavy foot.

[Legion5]

I have a 335i and I get 20 in the city and 31 on the highway.

[IsI]

2009 328XI 15-17 city; 19-22 highyway, driving in NYC