With the current level of data collected, I think I can now make a well informed comment on what fuel consumption the E46 330d is capable of, and compare that against what BMW claimed it could do. All this bearing in mind the car is 11 years old and has just this week ticked over 150,000 miles.
BMW E46 330d Official MPG Fuel Economy
Let's start with the fuel consumption figures BMW claimed the E46 330d could achieve. The figures below have been taken straight from the owner's manual.
- Urban - 30.7mpg (9.2)
- Extra-urban - 53.3mpg (5.3)
- Combined - 42.2mpg (6.7)
(Numbers in brackets are in litres/100km)
Before I delve into my data, it's important to understand some elements that will have affected the MPG.
- The fuel used has always been standard diesel (not V Power or any other premium diesel)
- Mileage range of fill ups: 123,000 - 150,000
- Type of roads driven on (this is an estimate).
- 2011
- Urban - 50%
- Extra-urban - 50%
- 2012
- Urban - 40%
- Extra-urban - 60%
- 2013
- Urban - 40%
- Extra-urban - 60%
- Less than 1500 of the 27,000 miles driven has been on motorways.
- The figures presented are actual, calculated MPG figures, NOT what the OBC (On Board Computer) reads.
BMW E46 330d Real World MPG Fuel Economy
The all important bit then, my results;
- Minimum MPG recorded - 30.4
- Maximum MPG recorded - 44.2
- Average MPG overall - 37.3
- Average MPG 2013 - 39.3
- Average MPG 2012 - 37.1
- Average MPG 2011 - 34.9
So what did the OBC say? Unfortunately for BMW it was very optimistic, for example, the maximum recorded MPG actually read 51.3mpg on the OBC. It seams that the higher the actual MPG is, the more inaccurate the OBC is.
Click to enlarge
Explaining The Numbers
There are a number of things that might have influenced the figures I've recorded, so I will divulge such that you can understand my results and take your own opinions on my findings. You could also interpret how the figures might change based on your own circumstances.
When I bought the 330d I had gotten straight out of a 1.4 litre petrol Rover 25 into the 2.9 litre diesel BMW. A considerable increase in power, combined with a differing driving style required between petrol and diesel. I was also doing less extra-urban driving. After it had failed I had to replace the thermostat in the latter months of 2011. All of these factors account for the lower MPG average for 2011.
In 2012 I started a new job, which involved an extended drive to the office, this accounts for the shift in urban/extra-urban percentages. Throughout the year I gained experience and learnt how to get the best out of the car leading to the overall improvement in average MPG.
You may note, on the graph above, a significant dip in the results in December of 2012, this is when my holidays from work are and as such, much more short trips and town driving (or a combination of the both).
I have also noticed that outside temperature makes a big difference to MPG. A general rule of thumb is that the warmer it is outside the higher your MPG, until you have to use air conditioning and it levels out or drops slightly.
In 2013 I have been undertaking a personal mission to increase the MPG I've been getting out of the car. I've been reading up on driving styles and practices and the results have paid off, with the highest average MPG of the three years and with the highest single MPG recorded.
How To Improve Your E46 330d's Fuel Economy
First of all, make sure you are regularly doing a full service on your car, so far I've done three services, one at 124k, 134k and 144k.
The EGR valve on the M57 engine can get significantly clogged with carbon build up, make sure yours is clean and functioning correctly using my DIY guide to cleaning out the EGR valve. To avoid any future build up, use my guide to bypassing the EGR valve completely.
Two more cheap options are to clean your MAF sensor and use a fuel treatment like Comma's Diesel Magic to clean your fuel system.
Finally, a couple of freebies, get all the clutter out of the boot, glovebox, door bins to make the car as light as possible. I'm not saying remove the rear seats or don't have a few CDs in the glovebox, just make sure you're not carrying round your full detailing kit etc.
Make sure your tyres are correctly inflated, and check them regularly (once a month), a couple of degrees change in ambient temperature can make quite a difference to your tyre pressure.
How To Change Your Driving Style To Maximise MPG
I'm guessing, like me, you didn't buy your 330d to drive it around like your Nan, if you wanted the best fuel consumption you'd have gone for a 318 or 320d right?
Thankfully there are a couple of things you can do to improve your fuel economy without confiding yourself to the slow lane.
- Be analogue not digital
- Don't stand on the brakes and/or accelerator, read the road ahead to avoid stop start driving. Quite often, even in commuter traffic, if you leave a bigger gap to the car in front you can usually get away with not braking most of the time. When you see the car 5 or so in front indicating to turn, ease off the gas.
- Use cruise control, where sensible (motorway), to maintain constant speed
- Again read the road ahead, if you're approaching a down hill you might be better off to turn the cruise control off whilst still on the flat, then use the hill to gain speed.
Conclusion
Excluding the OBC readings, my findings are a fantastic result for BMW. A car over 11 years old with over 150,000 miles on the clock, and the MPG is continuing to rise.
In fact, I have achieved MPG figures above the official combined number from BMW, 44.2 vs 42.2. At 44.2 MPG a full tank of fuel will last you just shy of 600 miles (I managed 596). It is my aim this year to achieve over 600 miles to a tank, which I think is entirely possible even with urban driving percentages as much as 40%.
Would I recommend the 330d for fuel economy? Yes, you simply can't buy anything from a premium brand of that age, that price with the same outstanding performance and driving ability.
If you have any questions do let me know in the comments section below.
What's the best MPG you've achieved from your E46? Got any tips not covered above for improving MPG?
12 Comments
what did you do to improve mpg
ReplyDeleteHi there,
DeleteIt was a combination of efforts to be honest.
- Accelerating more steadily.
- Using cruise control to maintain constant speed, reduces energy used speeding up and slowing down constantly.
- Engine braking.
- Read the road better to avoid braking and wasting energy.
- Ensure car is as light as possible. Don't keep your entire tool kit in the car etc.
- Ensure tyres are correctly inflated.
- Run some fuel additive through.
Hope this helps,
Best regards
Andy.
Does the 44mpg include occasional fun or is it nanny style all the time? What is your average speed on the motorway?
ReplyDeleteI always have a bit of fun with the car, why else would you buy a 330? :) Although that said, achieving the 44mpg does mean less fun.
DeleteAny time I drive on the motorway (not very often, mostly A and B roads) my average speed is usually bob on 70mph, Cruise set to 70mph sees me pass most traffic comfortably and keeps road noise to a pleasant minimum.
Thanks for the comment.
Hi Andy. I've got a 2004 330d (the 204 bhp, M57N later engine version). I reckon I get less mpg than you are and I don't drive particularly fast. I've had it since 142K until now (approx. 147K) so its a little leggy, but nothing for a diesel really. Like you I'm in the process of getting on top of a few things including steering rack hose split - can't believe what BMW charge for a pipe ! My fairly 50:50 mixed driving gives about 31.5 mpg. Have you done anything else to increase you mpg since this post ?
ReplyDeleteGreat write up on the steering hose by the way... judging by your photos, you've got the 204bhp too I'd say, as the return to reservoir hose is not shared by the many other models.
Hi Lee, thanks for the comment first and foremost.
Delete31.5 sounds very low to me, I would expect that from majority town driving with harsh acceleration. Do a sanity check on your driving style, can you not use the brake as much and slow naturally? Do you need to accelerate as hard? If you're already driving quite economically then start checking things like is the engine heating up in a timely manner? Stick some Comma Diesel Magic through it (or similar fuel additive from your preferred brand). Check the EGR for gunk. Bare in mind the ambient temperature too, my mpg has dropped to 37 at this time of year (as low as 34 when it was frosty). Check brakes aren't binding, my dad's rear brake was very slightly seased and was rubbing causing a similar drop in mpg to yours (he's got a 330d too).
If all that fails, get the codes read and see if anything might be causing a problem.
On the BMW prices, yeah they are steep, worth asking if they can do a discount. Most do give up to 10% if you ask nicely. Also there is no substitute for genuine bits, the amount of trouble I've had with pattern parts...
Good luck with your car, still plenty of life left in it yet, I'm up to 175k :-).
Thanks,
Andy.
Hi, since full service and engine clean I have increase my MPG by 20%. Plus driving between 80 and 90 helps the mpg on autoroutes / motorways as you are not needing to accelerate as often. DO NOT sit at 65mph everywhere as the you will use more fuel claiming small inclines and slowing /speeding up etc to change lanes. Read the roads and use engine braking, I Find cruise control not as fuel eco as driving without, the cruise will increase your speed on a flat when you might not need to as you could be approaching a down hill section etc
ReplyDeletehello! Do you think is normal real 7.0l/100km?? (OBC 5,5). My BMW is de 330xd 184cv 5v manual 2002. Mainly 100-120km/h. Is a big motor, and 4x4, nut I think is too much xonsuption...
ReplyDeleteHi David,
DeleteThanks for leaving a comment! Sounds to me like your car is performing within the expected fuel economy range. I had to convert to mpg, according to Google you're getting 40mpg, which sounds about right to me :-) Better than my 330d's average economy!
Being a 4x4 as well I'd say that was even better, my AWD Audi S5 DRINKS fuel...
Hope this puts your mind at ease.
Have a good day!
Cheers,
Andy.
Okkk, thanks for your answer an your great articles!
ReplyDeleteHi Andy, I am considering owning an 04 330d saloon (150k miles) myself. I was just wondering what kind of maintenance you’ve done/issues you’ve had with your Car in your ownership . Also how many miles your car is on currently (or when you sold it). Cheers
ReplyDeleteHi there,
DeleteI bought mine on 124k miles and sold it at 181k, it still had plenty of legs left in it (the last MOT by the new owner in 2017 showed it at 195k). The simple answer is check out all the blog posts on this site, that's pretty much everything I did. The major things (most expensive and/or time consuming things) were the thermostat and water pump, propshaft centre bearing and the exhaust downpipe.
Things to watch out for are corroded rear brake lines, if there is any advisories on the MOT history, definitely ask if they've been replaced. Rusting arches are an issue, it's not a case of if it's when unfortunately, double check if any poor patchwork has been done. EGR valves get massively clogged, well worth cleaning out and bypassing (see my blog posts on how).
At 150k the suspension parts are going to be either at the end of their life or just replaced, so you'll probably be replacing bushes, suspension arms, possibly dampers etc.
Generally, like most cars, if you service them regularly and keep on top of any mechanical issues it'll treat you well.
Hope this helps!
Andy
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