Difference in MPG between a 2.5L and 3.0L

[benv6]

Hi Everyone !!

I was wondering what was the difference in MPG between a 2.5L and 3.0L ??

On paper there is a very slight difference but I am sure it is different in the real world !!!

 

[Stuartt]

I have a 3.0i and on a run at a steady 65 / 70 I have got 38 mpg.
Round town I get about 28 - 30
Kick the arse out of it and forget it it all goes to sh#t

But hey you don't buy one for its economy do you.

Stuart

 

[Mr Tidy]

I can't be too specific as I haven't had both versions of Z4, but I've had 3 litre Z4Cs (N52 engine) for 2 years and a 325ti Compact (M54 engine) for 18 months and they both seem to do about 32 mpg overall based on my saddo spreadsheet!

I do drive "vigorously" from time to time, but thankfully don't do a rush-hour commute anymore! :wink:

From what I can make out the difference is negligible and with running costs being the same a 3 litre seems the only way to go (except BMW didn't make a 3 litre Compact sadly)!

 

[Yorkie Z]

This sort of things comes up a lot, the answer is simple.......

BUY THE 3.0. BUY THE 3.0. BUY THE 3.0.

 

[Z4M-2006]

There will be nowt in it..

Both will do 40mpg on a steady run, and mid 20's around town

The only extra cost will be in the purchase price, 3.0 cars being more sought after

 

[Baza]

Don't have a clue , when the tank gets empty I fill it. Didn't buy it on the criteria of fuel.

 

[85genius]

On my eurotrip last year the were 2 Zeds both about the same age my mate was getting about 1-2mpg better than me in his 3.0 vs my 2.5 so obviously when mine was written off I went for the bigger engine in my next one

 

[WLH]

For US specifications 2.5 and 3.0 Z4's (2003 to 2005) the rated miles per gallon were sightly better with the 3.0 than the 2.5.

 

[MACK]

Real world experience. Back in the day when E46's were new we had both 325i and 330i on fleet. I would regularly jump between one and the other. I never really noticed any difference, at most it was circa 1 MPG. If this is your main worry about buying a 3.0 over a 2.5 it really is a no brainer.

 

[WilliamB]

This sort of things comes up a lot, the answer is simple.......

BUY THE 3.0. BUY THE 3.0. BUY THE 3.0.

Don't buy the 3.0 :lol: ! I have it and I wouldn't recommend it over a 2.5.

 

[WilliamB]

Kick the arse out of it and forget it it all goes to sh#t

Very true. When I go into sport-mode and drive aggressively I noticed the gauge is exactly half full, 2 minutes later it's hit the next lower marker, by the time I get home from work it's almost quarter tank. It drank 3 journeys worth of fuel when I let it go loose.

 

[Stuartt]

Kick the arse out of it and forget it it all goes to sh#t

Very true. When I go into sport-mode and drive aggressively I noticed the gauge is exactly half full, 2 minutes later it's hit the next lower marker, by the time I get home from work it's almost quarter tank. It drank 3 journeys worth of fuel when I let it go loose.

Ahh the ever dropping fuel gauge,
Now someone will correct me I'm sure and I could be wrong but the gauge doesn't really give a true representation of what's in the tank while you drive aggressively, if you put it in sport mode and rag it the guage goes down quicker than you would expect but slow down and switch off sport mode and the guage goes back up again.

It's almost like the car says keep driving like this and your going to run out sooner rather than later

Stuart

 

[WilliamB]

Kick the arse out of it and forget it it all goes to sh#t

Very true. When I go into sport-mode and drive aggressively I noticed the gauge is exactly half full, 2 minutes later it's hit the next lower marker, by the time I get home from work it's almost quarter tank. It drank 3 journeys worth of fuel when I let it go loose.

Ahh the ever dropping fuel gauge,
Now someone will correct me I'm sure and I could be wrong but the gauge doesn't really give a true representation of what's in the tank while you drive aggressively, if you put it in sport mode and rag it the guage goes down quicker than you would expect but slow down and switch off sport mode and the guage goes back up again.

It's almost like the car says keep driving like this and your going to run out sooner rather than later

Stuart

Hahahaa

 

[Smartbear]

A friend of mine has a 2.5si & I have the 3.0si, on a long journey my car was more economical-perhaps it's something to do with the longer stroke making it more fuel efficient?
Rob

 

[Yorkie Z]

This sort of things comes up a lot, the answer is simple.......

BUY THE 3.0. BUY THE 3.0. BUY THE 3.0.

Don't buy the 3.0 :lol: ! I have it and I wouldn't recommend it over a 2.5.

Clearly you drive like a Fanny then

 

[Angie4m]

Quick question.....your sig says you're looking for an E89 and you've posted in the E89 section but all these replies are about the E85/E86.

I assume you were looking for information on the 23i (2.5l 6 cyclinder) and the 30i (3l 6 cyclinder) as per the E89 range until 2012??

 

[Smartbear]

Quick question.....your sig says you're looking for an E89 and you've posted in the E89 section but all these replies are about the E85/E86.

I assume you were looking for information on the 23i (2.5l 6 cyclinder) and the 30i (3l 6 cyclinder) as per the E89 range until 2012??

The later, facelift E85 cars also used the n52 engines fitted to the 23i & 30i so the comparison should still be valid(ish)
Rob

 

[Andyoldgit.]

I have had my 2003 3.0 for a few weeks now. Never having owned a 2.5l z4 i cant comment on its MPG. But my 3.0 averages 33mpg. Can get up to 38 on a long run and around 8 or 9 if im driving it like a lunatic. Im not actually a lunatic you understand. Really im not. But sometimes the voices tell me to go faster. Honestly its the voices fault. Im innocent!!

 

[biggeoff]

2005 3ltr I get 35 to 36 on a 40 mile run over Dartmoor