Fuel consumption: X1 20D diesel discussion

[li21]

Hi all

I know theres many fuel discussion threads around but none that really go in to diesels that much as I know North America the 28i is the pick of the lot.

In Australia however, most X1s are diesel..

I'm basically repeating what Ive said in another thread here for more in depth discussion.

I'm driving an X1 2011 Xdrive20d
(has 50,000kms on the clock now)

The rated economy for this car is:
7.0L/100kms (33mpg) City
5.1L/100kms (46mpg)Highway

I do 80% around town (not heavy traffic at all) and sometimes drive on freeways which are fast flowing. Rarely do stop start, bumper to bumper.

I drive lightly and don't accelerate that hard to try test the economy.
Average consumption has never shown less than 9.3L/100kms by the end of the fuel cycle. (25mpg)
The only way I can get it to be lower is be on the freeway then reset the computer then, and it will show about 7-8's but thats cheating.. It will average out back to about 9.3, maybe higher
I have NEVER got more than 600kms (372miles) from a tank .. usually about 550kms (340miles) a tank.

Now I don't expect to get factory ratings...

But very disappointed when
A) My last car VW Jetta Diesel which has WORSE economy on factory rating than my X1 managed to do average of 6.5L/100kms (36mpg) each and every fuel cycle.

B) When I tested my brothers E90 320i which is a Petrol... it can easily do 9.9L/100kms on same driving roads/style. Thats not much difference from a diesel... and sounds a hell of a lot better.

So I wonder if there is something wrong with my car or whether BMW just overstate fuel figures.
My next car won't be a diesel if that's the case.

[JL350]

We get about 9.3 L/100km around the city. Don't take it easy, drive in sport mode and enjoy the torque of the diesel motor. I think it is a great motor and prefer it over the small petrol motor where you have to rev a lot for excitement.

I guess is fuel economy is more important than all the other good points of the X1 diesel, then that is personal choice. I chose the diesel cause it is a damn nice drive over the petrol model.

[Dilbert2402]

As I'm the UK efficient dynamics version I can get up to an average 56 miles/gallon in the summer and 52 in the winter. This is achieved without any conscious effort from 25% urban, 75% out of town mileage and fairly enthusiastic driving. Miles per tank would be 650 - 700 miles.

[fdpxfunix]

Hi

Another Uk owner here. I have a 2010 18d sDrive and drive 510 miles a week commuting. A varied mix of country roads, 'A' roads and motorway. I'm currently getting 51.3mpg, but have seen 54.3mpg last summer. I usually fill up with just £60 of fuel (at £1.37 to £1.40 a litre) and get 500 miles out of it.

The X1 now as 52000 miles on the clock, but the MPG has been pretty consistent since 7000.

J.

[mikeo]

Originally Posted by fdpxfunix

Hi

Another Uk owner here. I have a 2010 18d sDrive and drive 510 miles a week commuting. A varied mix of country roads, 'A' roads and motorway. I'm currently getting 51.3mpg, but have seen 54.3mpg last summer. I usually fill up with just £60 of fuel (at £1.37 to £1.40 a litre) and get 500 miles out of it.

The X1 now as 52000 miles on the clock, but the MPG has been pretty consistent since 7000.

J.

Damn! I wish BMW would bring an X1 diesel to the US market. Even with UK Imperial gallons that's great mileage compared to my 28i sDrive.

[BMWDave]

X1 23d in Australia

You could say that I drive pretty hard - I love the torque so tend to apply the throttle liberally. I do lots of small trips, down the road to the gym, shops, etc. Few freeway runs, mostly out of peak hour, and other than that, just driving around town to restaurant, pubs, etc.

I've owned the car from new and have never reset the fuel computer and after 22,000 kms, I'm returning 8.6L/100km. Reckon most tanks of fuel, I'm doing closer to 9.2-9.5L/100. I'm pretty happy with that given how enthusiastic I am with the throttle.

Hope that helps.

[InLimbo]

Another 23D here (pre stop/start), similar story. 95% city driving and I average around 9.5l/100km. I did a recent country trip and only managed around 7.5l/100km or 800kms to a tank. The official figures must have been done driving down an Alp with a tail wind.

I did notice improved economy using Vortex Diesel or Premium Diesel (BP) so I might suss out the price difference next time...

[li21]

Seems like I'm getting worse than everyone else.. my 20D should be a bit more efficient than you guys driving 23Ds.. I know there are alot of factors to consider, but to get 550kms from a full tank is disappointing..

BTW Im in Australia too - I fill with 7-Eleven Diesel and Shell Diesel and get similar results.
Haven't tried vortex or BP before.

[NordicBMW]

I am still waiting for my X1 to be delivered in August. But in the meantime my X3 20d averages approx 6,5l/100 km after one year's ownership. I am not particularly light-footed but not exactly a street racer either. My regular driving also includes 50km daily in the rush to an from work. IMO achieving around 9l/100km on a 20d sounds quite high. But avg consumption was reduced at around 4000km and also again at around 15000km for some reason so I assume that breaking in affects the average fuel consumption.

[li21]

Months on... still getting terrible consumptuon.
This week I got 560kms before having to fill up, absolutely feathering the throttle all week!

My collegue tells me his X3 xdrive20d , he gets 850kms a tank minimum around town!!

WHAT gives!?

BMW service tell me that theres nothing wrong with my car?

Every day I'm questioning whether I should just sell and get a Skoda Octavia RS

[Andy_o]

I have an 23d manual in the uk .. My economy has settled at about 38 mpg which is a mix of commuting and family use .. I do a 70 mile round trip to/from work and generally get mid forties .. Town use and the loud pedal (addictive) drop it .. On a recent 100 mile morning rush hour gentle trip ... Pretty impressive I thought !
See pic below

As a reference to the op I usually fill up at about 500 miles when the fuel light comes on .. So prob 525-550 range if I used the full tank

However motorway runs can see very good consumption I did a recent trip four up from the north of England down to Bournemouth on the south coast .. About 290 miles each way and the x1 went there and back on one tank and wasn't quite empty so that would equate to a range of over 600 miles

[Naambezet]

Originally Posted by li21

B) When I tested my brothers E90 320i which is a Petrol... it can easily do 9.9L/100kms on same driving roads/style. Thats not much difference from a diesel... and sounds a hell of a lot better.

How the hell do you drive?
I can do 9.9L/100km in a 325i around town with a lots of fun

[li21]

Originally Posted by Naambezet

How the hell do you drive?
I can do 9.9L/100km in a 325i around town with a lots of fun

Very lightly!
Ive tried to opposite and drive it hard, and consumption jumps over 10.5l/100kms

[Big Stew]

I'm getting an average of 52mpg with a mix of driving, I also tow a twin axle 1700kg caravan and still get 30mpg. Well happy with that as it's only covered 6000 miles at the moment.

[bmwx3805]

i do mostly interstate with very little stop and go. i can easily get 460 or 470 some times more out of a tank on long trips. with my regular driving i can normally get any where from 430-450miles. but its pretty weird your diesel is getting so little. i would think it could triple that. if they ever brought a diesel x1 to the USA i would have to own one.

[GTony]

Hi Ii21, Your stated rated economy is what I have been getting from my 20d. Max 7L for big Country Town/City and 4.6 to 4.9L for Freeway/Highway driving. I use Vortex Premium Diesel Fuel. Although I feel it gives me better Km's it doesn't mean you will improve to the same as me BUT it should. Your dealer needs to go over your car and fix this - NO EXCUSES. Like to know his comments.

[li21]

Originally Posted by GTony

Hi Ii21, Your stated rated economy is what I have been getting from my 20d. Max 7L for big Country Town/City and 4.6 to 4.9L for Freeway/Highway driving. I use Vortex Premium Diesel Fuel. Although I feel it gives me better Km's it doesn't mean you will improve to the same as me BUT it should. Your dealer needs to go over your car and fix this - NO EXCUSES. Like to know his comments.

Thanks for the info..

Yeh I have my car booked in at BMW Sydney now to check it out once and for all.. really ridiculous consumption I'm getting really..
I've also tried multiple diesels and they all return about the same.

I wonder if its anything to do with the gearing or wheel alignment which both seem to be ever so slightly off..

[GTony]

I have made comments on your other threads. Before people can help they need to know basic information. Was the car STOCK STANDARD when you got it? What extra work, if any, was done during regular services. What is your WARRANTY? You talk about gearing and wheel alignment, this should be part of BMW's pre handover inspection/service. Doe's your X1 have standard wheels and tyres? I would like to know whats happening after it comes back from the dealer.

[li21]

Yep sorry if I wan't clear.. but the car is completely stock.
Standard 17" rims with bnrand new Pirelli run flats which I check the tyre pressure of all the time. No special work done.. only the standard maintenace. It was recently serviced.
Car has just come out of the standard 3 year warranty, but BMW said they will look anyway to sort this out once and for all.. Will keep you all updated.

[DWB1873]

Jan 2011 x-drive 20D auto, pre stop/start, 14,000 miles.

My driving is average of 13 miles p/d stop and start with maximum free run of < a mile - I get 9l/100 or slightly better.

I've taken it away and got around 6l/100 for smooth A-road and motorway.

Your figures do seem high.

[Billy Porter]

I've only had my 2.0d for 2 months but can’t believe the mileage I’m getting. Around town 41.5mpg and on longer journeys 48-52mpg. I recently went from Newcastle to Cambridge with a top-box and bike on the rear and got 49.5 going down (with bike & box) and 51.5 coming back (with box)

550mile round trip plus still enough left for a few weekends. My last car (118i) only did 38mpg on the same journey.

I use the cruise control whenever I can and set it to 75mph (70 on my sat-nav). Don’t know if that helps save some fuel but saves on speeding tickets

Edit: our X1 also has the brake regeneration where the alternator only engages when you back off the throttle or brake plus auto stop/start which I believe gives 3% improvement

[GTony]

Hi,
How's that dealer getting sorted? I noticed you got new 17" Pirelli RFT's and you got the X1 with about 50,000 Kms on the clock. Where the tyres you replaced the original ones? What type of tyre where they? RFT's at 50,000 Kms is fairly good life. My 17" Bridgestones RF's have 28,000 and the back ones were chris/crossed to the front some time back. Front are just about done. I have just received rims from USA and wont be going with RFT's. Sorry for asking lots of questions but everything helps others out there to understand and improve their X1's. Perhaps if you get your X1 sorted to your satisfaction we should start a "Diesel Thread".