Overall Range 550i vs 535i?

550i: While driving in a spirited manor, I'd get about 16.8mpg. My usual mixed road/freeway average is 20.8 and U.S. freeway average is 23.6, but that value changes depending on the terrain and how long of a drive it is. My Euro Autobahn averages were around 19-20mpg as well.

-Zathris

Driving home from the dealership with 150 miles on the odometer the 550xi got 25.6 mpg over about 60 to 70 miles at 73mph with no getting on it. During 60% highway and 40% city, we had 21.5 mpg. This car is a great highway cruiser.

Originally Posted by pharding

Unfortunately I am getting 16 mpg.

This will improve.
Careful not to drop below 1/4 tank in the winter especially in Chicago.

Originally Posted by twin snail 4.4L

Driving home from the dealership with 150 miles on the odometer the 550xi got 25.6 mpg over about 60 to 70 miles at 73mph with no getting on it. During 60% highway and 40% city, we had 21.5 mpg. This car is a great highway cruiser.

Impressive car, impressive milage. Your buddy with the M5 won't get near your driving range.

Originally Posted by jimefam

I averaged 21.7 MPG over 2417 miles on my ED in my 550i. I would say that was 80% highway 20% city but I took a big hit on the mpg on my drive on the almalfi coast. Wasted almost an entire tank on what couldn't have been more than 80 miles.

Track it and a tank is gone in a few runs.

How do you know your "miles per gallon" ? Is it calculated by the car? I have not finish reading the manual so I don't know if there is a way to get the MPG number.

My 535ix with 1100miles averages 23mpg in blended city/hwy conditions.

How about if you guys just posted your best and worst not necessarily MPG but miles per tank that you ever had.

Originally Posted by CarBrain

How do you know your "miles per gallon" ? Is it calculated by the car? I have not finish reading the manual so I don't know if there is a way to get the MPG number.

Yes its calculated by the car. My Gm products have been right on when I check the numbers but my wifes Four RUnner was alway high by 2 to3 miles per gallon. Seems like there is a vehical info tab second or third from the bottom when you hit menu or info. I did it while driving, and did not pay too close attention.

Originally Posted by CarBrain

How do you know your "miles per gallon" ? Is it calculated by the car? I have not finish reading the manual so I don't know if there is a way to get the MPG number.

I think the one that really counts is the one you get the old fashion way i.e. # miles /# gallons at fill up.

Originally Posted by CarBrain

How do you know your "miles per gallon" ? Is it calculated by the car? I have not finish reading the manual so I don't know if there is a way to get the MPG number.

I always reset the trip computer and divide by gallons pumped- at every fillup. The car seems to be within .2-.3mpg when I reset MPG at the same time. My GM trucks are also very accurate. All of my MB's were optimistic by 1-2mpg....


CarBrian- yes the car does show the number - you need to hit the button on the stalk to the left of the wheel a few times to display it...

I have the 550 xdrive M-sport which I finally picked up yesterday after a 1.5 month wait from my ED dropoff. I don't know how you guys are getting 20+mpg on this baby. I get 18 at the most driving 50/50. In Germany, while averaging 50+ miles/hr, and most of the time going 100+, I was getting 17mpg. Is it gas? Is it the dynamic setting?

No, that is the big V8 - I have it in my 7 and I am lucky if I reach 16... even with some highway miles... Granted, my 7 is heavier...
In my 5,... much different story... I drove two weeks agao in Houston for 2 days then back home, 231 miles, and filled up 7.8 gallons... I thought impossible... better than my last 335i...???
I'll check it out again... , but definitely, if you have to watch your gpm,... the 535i presents the best economic choice...

I'm getting indications the dynamic setting may have some influence on mileage/range in my 535i Sport/DHP/IAS on my particular commute. My best mileage attained is with Sport suspension setting and throttle setting on normal. About 28.5 mpg on my commute vs. 26.0 with Normal suspension. Today, I tried the Comfort setting - suspension softest and throttle in the most economical setting - and interestingly my mileage showed up only at 26.5 mpg. I checked the tire pressures cold, and they are 35 fronts/38 backs (psi).

My commute is twisty, windy, and has up/downs at high speed, and one hypothesis is the suspension setting may be influencing how much kinetic energy from the turns/dips gets siphoned off and damped by the suspension. Comfort being the worst (bounciest), and Sport being the best (stiffest) for mileage on this type of twisty course.

The Sport setting's outstanding mileage has repeated several times (29, 28, 28.5) or about 2-3 mpg better than Normal setting. I will continue the comparisons on this commute, possibly keeping a log book now to get some statistics. I never expected a mileage difference just by this suspension settings alone.

Of course dynamic settings are going to influence your MPG - if you leave the "powertrain" box checked in iDrive. It's making the throttle much more aggressive.

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Of course dynamic settings are going to influence your MPG - if you leave the "powertrain" box checked in iDrive. It's making the throttle much more aggressive.

I was careful to keep Throttle setting on Normal (non-Sport) via Idrive setting in each comparison - I thought I made this clear above. I only varied the suspension stiffness. The only exception is on Comfort mode, the "Normal" throttle setting is the least aggressive throttle and in theory should be the best mileage. However, I'm getting something quite different.

Just checked my wifes milage over seven mile city commute, 18 mpg, not bad