Fuel economy 550i at European motorway speeds?

Anders R · 07-18-2014, 01:47 PM

Am in the process of deciding if a 550i (8 speed automatic) is a viable vehicle with an annual mileage of 18-20.000 km. 95 % is done on motorway, cruising at 150 kph (Belgium and France).

No stranger to less economic petrol engines, as I had an E39 M5 for 5 years and an E60 M5, the latter I got rid off because the fuel range of 400 km or less became infuriating.

What is a realistic range if exclusively motorway speeds 150 kph?

ezmaass · 07-18-2014, 03:43 PM

Sadly, here in the US, we don't have the option to drive that fast (legally).

I can tell you that at 75mph - 80mph the range seems to be around 375 - 400 miles. If 150kph is roughly 93mph, I wouldn't think you'd lost TOO much off what I've seen. So, with a tank of 18.5 gallons, even if you were only doing 20 - 21mpg (BMW claims 24 for highway - probably at lesser speeds than what you'd like), a distance of 375 miles (~600 km) probably is fair. You'd have to be getting mpg's in the low 13's range before you'd be under the 400km (~248 miles) distance threshold... I don't see that happening.

MBrown1003 · 07-18-2014, 10:34 PM

FWIW, during my European Delivery, I averaged 17.8 MPG (12.58 L/KM according to one online converter), with a mix of driving (Munich to the Neuschwanstein castle & back, then Munich to Nürburg, including two laps on the 'Ring) and back. I did plenty of city driving, and hit a couple of epic traffic jams, but a lot of time it was with the cruise set at 120 - 130 MPH, and one full-throttle blast at an indicated 160 MPH.

Anders R · 07-19-2014, 01:59 AM

Thanks for the replies! I am yet to have my first test drive Tuesday as the car was under preparation. It will, I think, be a head or heart decision, as I currently have a 2011 Mercedes C350 CDI 4matic, which objectively is doing a great job as motorway cruiser (range of 750-800 km) and remapped to 290 bhp and 650 Nm, just not very exciting and with a tractor soundtrack.

TheEngineer · 07-23-2014, 10:36 PM

on recent runs between NY and Boston, I've been able to average around 20 MPG or 11.75 L/100km. This is with traffic that can get to average 130-140 km/hour and then a few busy areas.

07-18-2014, 01:47 PM	#1
Anders R Private First Class 53 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW M3 Touring Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Brussels, Belgium iTrader: (0)	Fuel economy 550i at European motorway speeds? Am in the process of deciding if a 550i (8 speed automatic) is a viable vehicle with an annual mileage of 18-20.000 km. 95 % is done on motorway, cruising at 150 kph (Belgium and France). No stranger to less economic petrol engines, as I had an E39 M5 for 5 years and an E60 M5, the latter I got rid off because the fuel range of 400 km or less became infuriating. What is a realistic range if exclusively motorway speeds 150 kph?
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07-18-2014, 03:43 PM	#2
ezmaass Lieutenant Colonel 370 Rep 1,698 Posts Drives: '17 650xi GC / '15 Audi R8 V10 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: CT iTrader: (0)	Sadly, here in the US, we don't have the option to drive that fast (legally). I can tell you that at 75mph - 80mph the range seems to be around 375 - 400 miles. If 150kph is roughly 93mph, I wouldn't think you'd lost TOO much off what I've seen. So, with a tank of 18.5 gallons, even if you were only doing 20 - 21mpg (BMW claims 24 for highway - probably at lesser speeds than what you'd like), a distance of 375 miles (~600 km) probably is fair. You'd have to be getting mpg's in the low 13's range before you'd be under the 400km (~248 miles) distance threshold... I don't see that happening. __________________ 2017 BMW 650xi Gran Coupe \| MSport \| Exec Package \| Driver Assist Plus \| ACC Stop & Go \| Adaptive Drive \| B&O \| Night Vision \| Cold Weather \| Active Seats 2015 Audi R8 V10 \| Brilliant Red on Black \| S-Tronic \| Carbon Sideblades \| Carbon Trim \| Full Leather \| Sport Exhaust \| Illuminated Doorsills \| I-Pod \| Contrast Stitching Previous: '14 550xi, '07 335i, '01 325i
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07-18-2014, 10:34 PM	#3
MBrown1003 Eight Bimmers and counting 35 Rep 761 Posts Drives: 2014 F10 M5 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Massachusetts, USA iTrader: (0)	FWIW, during my European Delivery, I averaged 17.8 MPG (12.58 L/KM according to one online converter), with a mix of driving (Munich to the Neuschwanstein castle & back, then Munich to Nürburg, including two laps on the 'Ring) and back. I did plenty of city driving, and hit a couple of epic traffic jams, but a lot of time it was with the cruise set at 120 - 130 MPH, and one full-throttle blast at an indicated 160 MPH. __________________ 2014 F10 M5 Previously... Threes: '08 E90 M3, '07 E92 335i, Fives: '11 F10 550i, '02 E39 M5, '00 E39 540i/6, '97 E39 528i, '92 E34 525i Others: VW, MBz, Peugeot, Toyota, Olds
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07-19-2014, 01:59 AM	#4
Anders R Private First Class 53 Rep 102 Posts Drives: 2023 BMW M3 Touring Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Brussels, Belgium iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the replies! I am yet to have my first test drive Tuesday as the car was under preparation. It will, I think, be a head or heart decision, as I currently have a 2011 Mercedes C350 CDI 4matic, which objectively is doing a great job as motorway cruiser (range of 750-800 km) and remapped to 290 bhp and 650 Nm, just not very exciting and with a tractor soundtrack.
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07-23-2014, 10:36 PM	#5
TheEngineer Enlisted Member 4 Rep 36 Posts Drives: 2011 BMW 550i xDrive Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Massachusetts iTrader: (1)	on recent runs between NY and Boston, I've been able to average around 20 MPG or 11.75 L/100km. This is with traffic that can get to average 130-140 km/hour and then a few busy areas.
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