bmw 2008 320d sport fuel issues?

[jcnyc]

Hi All,

I'm an American expat that just moved to Joburg from NYC. I just purchased a used bmw 320d sport with 80km on the clock. This is actually the first car I've ever purchased as no one ever drives in NYC. I know very little about cars and even less about diesel cars.

I purchased the car from a private seller and got an AA report done and everything checked out. However, I think there may be something wrong with it.

The fuel meter seems to be going down a lot faster than I'd think it should for a diesel car. The kilometers until empty meter also fluctuates drastically. Like it could be at 120km when I turn it on and could drop to 100km after driving it for a kilometer and the fuel gauge moves accordingly. I don't drive crazy or anything and everything else about the car feels fine. I replaced two of the tires when I first got it as well. The tuneup light has not turned on either so it's not time for a check up.

Anyone here have any idea what this could be due to? Should I be concerned/should I be taking this to the shop to get something checked out? Thanks.

 

[danieljames]

According to your obc, what's your avg fuel consumption per 100km? The range that the computer gives is just an estimation and therefore should be treated as such. With regards to your fuel gauge dropping...that's a bummer. U can also google the technical specs of your model and use the fuel consumption there as a guide. I drive an E36 325i so as soon as I put my foot down I see my fuel disappear haha :biglol:

 

[Avi123]

Hi JCNYC, welcome to South Africa!!!!

Please go to the new members introduction area and introduce yourself.
Sorry, but it is a rule of the forum.

There are plenty of helpful folk on this forum that will be ever willing to assist you when you have done so.

 

[Dippies]

Hi All,

I'm an American expat that just moved to Joburg from NYC. I just purchased a used bmw 320d sport with 80km on the clock. This is actually the first car I've ever purchased as no one ever drives in NYC. I know very little about cars and even less about diesel cars.

I purchased the car from a private seller and got an AA report done and everything checked out. However, I think there may be something wrong with it.

The fuel meter seems to be going down a lot faster than I'd think it should for a diesel car. The kilometers until empty meter also fluctuates drastically. Like it could be at 120km when I turn it on and could drop to 100km after driving it for a kilometer and the fuel gauge moves accordingly. I don't drive crazy or anything and everything else about the car feels fine. I replaced two of the tires when I first got it as well. The tuneup light has not turned on either so it's not time for a check up.

Anyone here have any idea what this could be due to? Should I be concerned/should I be taking this to the shop to get something checked out? Thanks.

When and how often do you reset the avg consumption and Avg Speed and what is your current L per 100km consumption.

Mite just be a faulty sensor.

Then again if you have never owned a car before so you will not have a basic impression on how long the Diesel should last as it is also a misconception on the distance you are traveling. Cause in JHB you can have a daily commute of 250KM plus and a tank will last you only a week depending on traffic

What is your daily Commute distance.

 

[Avi123]

Hi All,

I'm an American expat that just moved to Joburg from NYC. I just purchased a used bmw 320d sport with 80km on the clock. This is actually the first car I've ever purchased as no one ever drives in NYC. I know very little about cars and even less about diesel cars.

I purchased the car from a private seller and got an AA report done and everything checked out. However, I think there may be something wrong with it.

The fuel meter seems to be going down a lot faster than I'd think it should for a diesel car. The kilometers until empty meter also fluctuates drastically. Like it could be at 120km when I turn it on and could drop to 100km after driving it for a kilometer and the fuel gauge moves accordingly. I don't drive crazy or anything and everything else about the car feels fine. I replaced two of the tires when I first got it as well. The tuneup light has not turned on either so it's not time for a check up.

Anyone here have any idea what this could be due to? Should I be concerned/should I be taking this to the shop to get something checked out? Thanks.

When and how often do you reset the avg consumption and Avg Speed and what is your current L per 100km consumption.

Mite just be a faulty sensor.

Then again if you have never owned a car before so you will not have a basic impression on how long the Diesel should last as it is also a misconception on the distance you are traveling. Cause in JHB you can have a daily commute of 250KM plus and a tank will last you only a week depending on traffic

What is your daily Commute distance.

This vehicle should be giving you at least 900km in open road driving.
i would recommend you have the car plugged in for a diangostic asap, this is usually the easiest way to pinpoint any issues. If you prefer to go to the dealers, i am sure that most of them would be able to assist you on arrival. If the car is already out of the motorplan and you dont have too much cash to spare, then there are quite a few specialists on the forum who could assist. what area are you based in during the weekdays?

 

[jcnyc]

Hey guys, I have absolutely no idea about anything car related but I know that this car says 7.9L/100km on the dashboard. Don't think I'm getting anythign close to that. My commute is abotu 4km each way and it's just a straight shot down Rivonia road from Sandton to Illovo in the mornings.

Where can I take this car in for a diagnostic?

 

[Avi123]

if i'm not mistaken, your closest dealership would be Fordsdicks, although i cant comment on whether they would be able help you right away.
also maybe send a pm (private message) to Netercol, he is a diesel fundi and should be able to point you in the right direction.
on the face of it, it does indeed sound like a faulty sensor (maf, map, rail pressure, etc)

Forsdicks Sandton
cnr Rivonia and Alon Road
Forsdicks BMW
Morningside
Sandton
Gauteng
Tel : 011 - 259-2100
Afterhours : 083 - 2800850
Fax: 011 - 259-2177

Business hours:
Mon-Fri 08:00 - 17:30
Sat 08:30 - 12:30


Email: [email protected]

GPS Co-ordinates:
E28 03 54.2
S26 04 30.4

n the vehicles performance, does it hold decent acceleration, difficulty starting, etc.

 

[jcnyc]

Hey Avi, it starts fine from everything I can see. Driving feels smooth. Car sounds louder than other cars I've had but I've heard that is because of the diesel engine. It accelerates like a beast and I've never actually driven anything that accelerates as well as this bad boy.

 

[Avi123]

Hey Avi, it starts fine from everything I can see. Driving feels smooth. Car sounds louder than other cars I've had but I've heard that is because of the diesel engine. It accelerates like a beast and I've never actually driven anything that accelerates as well as this bad boy.

then i would definitely suggest a diagnostic, regretfully, i dont have the diagnostics system for your model, as i drive the older e46 model.
also note that with short, local runs you wouldnt get the best economy (same as a small petrol/gasoline) car, but with freeway non trafffic situations, you would be hard pressed to find anything that delivers better.

 

[EdOC]

Hi JCNYC,

that's normal for a 320d as when you get towards the bottom of the tank it can fluctuate the remaining miles and the gauge accordingly, depending on how you drive it obviously! those are pretty accurate the sensor's in the tank and if you drive it hard those last few liters will go fast, although i've even seen my remaining k's go up after a gentle economical 20k drive to work, have to love that with a diesel !

about 900 k's to a tank with mixed driving is my norm

 

[jcnyc]

Hi JCNYC,

that's normal for a 320d as when you get towards the bottom of the tank it can fluctuate the remaining miles and the gauge accordingly, depending on how you drive it obviously! those are pretty accurate the sensor's in the tank and if you drive it hard those last few liters will go fast, although i've even seen my remaining k's go up after a gentle economical 20k drive to work, have to love that with a diesel !

about 900 k's to a tank with mixed driving is my norm

I think we may have the exact same car. Perhaps I just need to fill my tank up fully and just take note of how many km i get by the time it runs out. I'm told you absolutely must fill it up with vturbo diesel?

 

[Avi123]

Always use 50ppm (low sulphur diesel) usage of the standard diesel will lead to premature injector failure as i have experienced.

 

[jcnyc]

So i just filled this sucker up. I think it is around a 60L tank and the "km to empty" reading (not sure how accurate it is), says I only have 600km till empty. That's 10km/liter, about 24mpg. I'd have thought the diesel engine would get a much better mpg than this? Does this sound right? My coworker said it may be nearing the end of its maintenance cycle and i may need to take it in.

 

[Naruto]

So i just filled this sucker up. I think it is around a 60L tank and the "km to empty" reading (not sure how accurate it is), says I only have 600km till empty. That's 10km/liter, about 24mpg. I'd have thought the diesel engine would get a much better mpg than this? Does this sound right? My coworker said it may be nearing the end of its maintenance cycle and i may need to take it in.

JCNYC have you taken the car for a nice long stretch or just 100km of uninterrupted driving, just you and the car and the road?

That car shouldn't give you those kind of figures, maybe it will readjust. Just reset your OBC and enjoy it.

How many KMs do you drive a week?

 

[jcnyc]

I drive like 100-125km a week I'd guess. Haven't taken this car on the open road yet but I'm just shocked because I keep reading other posts about people getting like 35+mpg on their 320ds.

How do i go about resetting the obc? Any good tutorials out there?

 

[tman]

I drive like 100-125km a week I'd guess. Haven't taken this car on the open road yet but I'm just shocked because I keep reading other posts about people getting like 35+mpg on their 320ds.

How do i go about resetting the obc? Any good tutorials out there?

Have a look at your indicator stick on the left of your steering wheel. Right in the middle you should see a button that allows you to go through the different options of your OBC. Once you are on the 'kms per litre' or 'litre per 100kms' option hold the button in for a few seconds and it will reset.

Did you get a service book with your car? In the black leather pouch containing your service book you should also have a general instruction manual that should guide you. :thumbs: