F25 X3 30d fuel consumption

[JP BMW]

Morning guys

I have been lurking around here for a while and have already learnt a lot from the forum and decided to post my first post today.

I am the owner of a 2011 X3 30d and absolutely love it. (This is also my first BMW)

When reading through some other threads I see guys claiming consumption figures of 8.xxL/100 in town driving. Now I have tried to bring down my consumption by driving like miss daisy (Even my wife complained about it) but I cannot get my consumption below 10.2L/100.

My commute is 22km one way to work and mostly town driving. Does this consumption sound correct or might there be something else?

The BM has 131 000km on the clock and could it be the DPF filter that is blocked that is effecting my consumption?

 

[922-ZN]

You most probably have some sort of issue going on, with a 22km trip(I am assuming some highway) consumption should be lower.

On a 8km round trip to work and back, I average 8.9L/100km.

If all is healthy on the car, just monitor your consumption gauge, 9/10 times we hold the accelerator down more than is needed to maintain a speed.

 

[SMN325]

That consumption is too high. It's what we get with the 2 litre petrol version in traffic and with balanced to aggressive driving.

Also, you should first introduce yourself in the new members thread

 

[JP BMW]

Thanks for the replies. (Will start a thread to introduce myself with some pics)

With regards to pushing the accelerator too hard to maintain speed I have gone so far as to mainly use the cruise control to make sure that this is not the case.

Could it be software related (don't know if it was fiddled with) or should I start with a new down pipe and remove the DPF filter?

 

[FerdiBotha]

At that mileage I would definitely start by removing the DPF and fitting an aftermarket downpipe.

Maybe put some injector cleaner in the tank and see if that makes any difference as well.

In terms of quick, affordable fixes that’s where I would start looking before digging further.

 

[JP BMW]

Thanks will start there and see where it goes.

Where would you suggest I take it for the down pipe? I am based in Boksburg and read that Powerflow in Edenvale does a decent job?[/align]

 

[sash]

Some of the things i would check, in no particular order;
Blocked DPF
Partially blocked EGR
Dirty Air filter
Old fuel filter
Injector Clean
Boost leak( pipes, sensors, seals and intercooler)
Turbo with dirty vanes
Vacuum pipes (if the car has any)
Tyre Pressure
Sensors ( Air temp, MAF, boost)

 

[JP BMW]

Some of the things i would check, in no particular order;
Blocked DPF To be removed
Partially blocked EGR
Dirty Air filter Still ok
Old fuel filter Will Check
Injector Clean Added a bottle
Boost leak( pipes, sensors, seals and intercooler) All seems ok
Turbo with dirty vanes Will have too google to check
Vacuum pipes (if the car has any)
Tyre Pressure As per doorsill (2 Bar)
Sensors ( Air temp, MAF, boost) Cleaned with electric cleaner

Hi Sash

Please see in red

 

[sash]

Hi Sash

Please see in red

The turbo vanes issue, normally shows itself with surging or error codes at WOT.
the tyre pressure seems low in my eye, pretty sure my X1 is higher than that, also make sure you are checking cold pressures.

 

[JP BMW]

Thanks for this, I havent experienced any surging from the vehicle?

I saw a video on Youtube of a guy taking turbo cleaner and spraying it in directly into the air intake while the car is idling to clean the turbo vanes? Don't know if that is good practice or not??

Tyre pressures are always checked before I leave home and will look to up it a bit to 2.3 bar

 

[Solo Man]

I would take the temperature readings and see if the car is not running cold. Temp gauge normally allows for a range of i think 10 or 20 degrees where the needle will still be in the centre of the gauge. Check your actual temp and see if the thermostat/s need replacement. Egr and normal thermostat.

 

[JP BMW]

Hi Solo man

If the thermostat is not working properly and the engine is running cold, how will that affect fuel consumption? Engine not operating at optimum temperature?

Will it not only affect the emissions?

 

[FerdiBotha]

Hi Solo man

If the thermostat is not working properly and the engine is running cold, how will that affect fuel consumption? Engine not operating at optimum temperature?

Will it not only affect the emissions?

The car will fuel more to bring the engine up to operating temperature.

Obviously it won’t reach operating temperature, which will definitely result in poor fuel consumption.

 

[JP BMW]

Thanks for this Ferdi.

With regards to the EGR valve, I know on my Defender that it goes through a cleaning cycle as soon as you switch of the car which can give you an indication of the valve is working or not. Is there a way to check this on the BM?

 

[frs1]

For town driving robot to robot 10km/L is ok, highway traffic should be around 11.5km/l, open road at 128 should be around 14.5km/l.
They dont like city traffic, heavy on fuel

 

[JP BMW]

Thanks frs1

I will remove the DPF filter and see if it makes a difference and take it from there.

Open road at 130km/h I was getting 8L/100km?? Sounds a bit heavy?

 

[sash]

Thanks frs1

I will remove the DPF filter and see if it makes a difference and take it from there.

Open road at 130km/h I was getting 8L/100km?? Sounds a bit heavy?

Xdrive is heavier than s drive, but i dont think you get the option on the X3. also due to the shape of the X3 it is not as aerodynamic as say the 330d at the same speed.

I am not saying that 8L/100km is acceptable, just info to note. How was the car driven previously? My X1 started off pretty decent from the previous owner, but after a good few WOT and service the consumption improved.

 

[JP BMW]

Thanks frs1

I will remove the DPF filter and see if it makes a difference and take it from there.

Open road at 130km/h I was getting 8L/100km?? Sounds a bit heavy?

Xdrive is heavier than s drive, but i dont think you get the option on the X3. also due to the shape of the X3 it is not as aerodynamic as say the 330d at the same speed.

I am not saying that 8L/100km is acceptable, just info to note. How was the car driven previously? My X1 started off pretty decent from the previous owner, but after a good few WOT and service the consumption improved.

The BM had one owner before me (belonged to a doctor) and as far as I know wasn't driven hard and only did about 16 000km per year. Obviously when the car was at the dealers and was taken for test drives it was pushed hard.

I wonder if that might not have caused the DPF to start breaking down and blocked up?

8L/100km is not too bad considering the cars weight and xdrive but would like to get it down to 7 lol

 

[yush1]

Going forward you should drive the car hard now and again especially if it spends alot of time in the traffic.

 

[MR_Y]

Going forward you should drive the car hard now and again especially if it spends alot of time in the traffic.

Yes.
Also see:
https://www.theaa.com/driving-advice/fuels-environment/diesel-particulate-filters

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The BM had one owner before me (belonged to a doctor) and as far as I know wasn't driven hard and only did about 16 000km per year.

I remember back in the day of print ads, people would proudly put "doctor's car" or "one lady driver" on their ads.

To me it meant (back in the old days of being politically incorrect):
Doctor's car: Driven really hard, since he was on call a lot and didn't really care about mechanical sympathy, because he would always replace the car before the Plan expired.

One lady driver: The clutch is almost dead (in a manual car).

Non-smoker: Meant f-all, since all smokers throw their ciggies out the window anyway!