Is anybody also getting 15.0 mpg on their 530I?

Hello,

I am wondering if anybody else is experiencing the same problem? I recently got my car back from the dealership after they fixed all my computer bugs, (cruise control malfunction, DSC malfunction, and active steering malfunction) and somehow my gas mileage stinks! I was getting 17.5 to 18.3 MPG before all my computer problems started. My car was in the dealership for almost a month to fix these problems, and they eventually replaced the entire "computer control module", which I believe regulates all the sensors (steering, suspension, etc).

On the further note, NO, I do not drive my car like I stole it, recklessly, and pushing the metal to the pedal at every stoplight. I accelerate very normal, and drive my car at avg speeds of 40 to 50mph. I drive my car 50/50 on city roads, and highway roads which I cruise at 65-70mph.

Do you think there is something wrong with my computer now and warrants coming back to the dealership? Or is this normal for a car that just received a new "control module" where you have to give it some time (a few weeks) to recalibrate the fuel system and get me better gas mileage in the long run?

I've already read up on all the other forums, and it seems like my problem hasn't been voiced before...

Thanks for all your input! Bimmerfest is truly a great forum to read with opinions and comments from true "enthusiasts" who LOVE their BMW's like myself.....

My driving habits are pretty much like yours and I am getting about 22 MPG. 90% of highway driven. Average miles per week is about 350 miles.

I've had my 530i for 3 weeks and have gone through 2 tanks of gas and I'm getting a solid 23mpg.

I'd say my driving habits are like yours also. I'm 50/50 city/hwy also.

15 mpg on a 530i are def. not normal, no matter how you push it. This number - when taking your driving habits into consideration as well - is about what I'm getting on my M5...

Man, one problem to the next...I believe my 5 is truly a lemon...Been having problems ever since I purchased it back in 12/05. It was purchased certified from Bob Smith BMW & MINI in Calabasas CA. Maybe I should sell my car and purchase something brand new instead.....

Back to the dealership once again : )

im getting a solid 19-21 depending how i drive

this is on my 550. something done broke on ur car

Abe

I'm getting 22 mpg to 23 mpg on my 530xi back and forth to work - 19 miles each way with a mix of 40mph and 50mph with lights and stop signs. I get about 29 mpg to 31 mpg on longer trips - up and down the hills of PA, NY and MA. I do, occasionally, like the quick starts in the sport mode.

We are getting in the high 19s on a new 550i, and 17 to 18 on the new 7. I got to think somethings not right too.
vz

Your mileage does not sound normal, I'm getting between 19-22 mpg with about 80% city driving. I think your situation warrants a call to the dealer.

Originally Posted by GolferEngineer

I'm getting 22 mpg to 23 mpg on my 530xi back and forth to work - 19 miles each way with a mix of 40mph and 50mph with lights and stop signs. I get about 29 mpg to 31 mpg on longer trips - up and down the hills of PA, NY and MA. I do, occasionally, like the quick starts in the sport mode.

I'm getting a solid 17 on my 530xiT no matter what. Drive it easy, drive it hard, around town, on the highway.

asianexecutive... Please keep us posted on your results. I'm close to Bob Smith -- if they fix yours, maybe they can fix mine!

I got my lowest average this weekened at 17.8mpg. That is a LOT of holiday traffic in the Los Angeles area, speeds crawling at ~10mpg with regular bursts to 30-40mpg.

I drove out to Colorado a week ago (the first weekend I had the car) and averaged a little over 30mpg with cruise control set to 90mph.

I'll reset my MPG clock and see what happens....Otherwise, another trip to the dealership means more headaches! I'll keep you guys informed of my results : )

Thanks for all the feedback.....

Good lookin out.

Admittedly my engine is different from the 530i; however, on the road I always get around 30-32 mpg, which dips down into the 28 mpg range when there is some city driving included. I am very pleased with the mpg as it does as well as if not better than my former 4-cylinder Honda Accord.

after seven month and 4500 miles I'm sorry to report I'm getting 12.9 mpg in my '06 550.
90% stop and go city driving...

Have you tried diagnosing the problem with the dealership O6black550? If so, what did they inform you?

Originally Posted by 06Black550i

after seven month and 4500 miles I'm sorry to report I'm getting 12.9 mpg in my '06 550.
90% stop and go city driving...

That sounds about right - I get closer to 13.5 - but we are in the same ball park. Of note
1. Highway mileage is excellent at 25-26
2. I just got upgraded to Progman 22 and things seem better. While I have a rough stumbling idle upon cold start (sounds really cool however), my mileage appears to have improved. Unfortunately I've got some additional highway mixed in so it is hard to say for sure.

asianexecutive - as an FYI, we both have 550s - sorry to take this off topic.

Originally Posted by asianexecutive

I recently got my car back from the dealership after they fixed all my computer bugs, (cruise control malfunction, DSC malfunction, and active steering malfunction) and somehow my gas mileage stinks! I was getting 17.5 to 18.3 MPG before all my computer problems started.

Yep, but mine's a 545.

My car was getting high 22 to low 23 mpg in mixed driving, including some spirited sprints.

After my computer update (which I had them partially back out with a special measure to restore my active steering sensitivity), mileage took a dump to 17-18.

I get 19 mpg if I watch the mpg like a hawk and drive mostly freeway. When it came time to register the car for another year I had to show the California DMV proof of a mandatory (federal?) emissions change (my words, don't recall the exact terminology). My BMW service person provided written verification, signed by the svc mgr.

The reqmt was apparently a federal reqmt, but it did two things: severely cut my mpg, and drastically reduced throttle response, such as at tip in. The gas pedal response is spongier now than it was. No amount of hard driving to get the car to re-adapt ever got it to where it was.

I am very upset that a supposed emissions improvement resulted in lower fuel economy by such a wide margin. I have not brought this up to my service person, but will in Oct when I go in for oil, brake fluid and microfilter changes.

i am only on my 2nd gas tank so far.....the first i averaged 17, this time i am avg 16.2....

I drove Laurel Canyon north to Mulholland west to Coldwater Canyon (fun drive I take at least once a week). I averaged 9.8mpg up Laurel Canyon, but ended up 17.8mpg by the end of my route. I kept it in third or lower the whole time as well pretty much too.

My engine isn't fully broken in so hopefully will increase efficiency, I've had my car for 3 weeks and have around 2600 miles (drove to Colorado the first weekend I had it and averaged nearly 30mpg the whole way averaging almost 95mpg trying to keep it under 100 for break in).

Originally Posted by asianexecutive

Have you tried diagnosing the problem with the dealership O6black550? If so, what did they inform you?

I don't think it's a problem -- It's a result of all city driving and the way I tend to enjoy the torque whenever possible

My 550i gives me 16.6 mpg on average.
It's 6K miles on the clock now.

That's amazing...seems like 545 and 550 owners are getting better gas mileage than I am. I reset the clock recently, and somehow it's gotten a little better at 16.5 mpg, but that still seems weird considering I drive according to the speed limits and my car is a 530 as well...Maybe I'll give it more time to see if it improves.

Have you actually checked your mileage manually? I would try to check that against what the ECU is telling you.

BTW, my 22-23 mixed driving mpg pre-software update was with AC on. I leave it on normally.

Today I reset my mpg with this thread in mind and drove a constant 25 mph for 1 mile: 17 mpg, AC *off*.

I spent the day in stop and go traffic taking visitors around Los Angeles yesterday (four adults in the car), averaging 15.8mpg on this tank so far.. the lowest yet. AC on auto, seat vents on all day.