Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - BMW M3: "The optimal speed for fuel economy in this car seems to be around 80mph"

numbthumbs · 04-01-2011, 05:09 PM

I have achieved (over a full tank of gas) 32mpg when setting the cruise at 50mph on my trip to work and back which is ideal for gas mileage (Lancaster, CA to Edwards AFB). It is a flat stretch with no turns or stops. My tires have more drag than stock because of the size 315s in the rear and 275s up front and I am only running 35psi in them because when I jack them up to 50psi they wear in the center. Pretty remarkable because 6th gear is not really an overdrive in this car (0.85) with a 3.62 final. At 50mph I think I am taching 1750rpm. I will try 5mph increments to see what the best that I can achieve is. I can confirm the numbers at 80mph also. I get around 28mpg which is not bad at all for 333hp normally aspirated 3400lb car. I would like to note that I get some crazy looks when cruising at 50mph in an M3 when the speed limit is 70mph

04-01-2011, 05:09 PM	#36 (permalink)
numbthumbs EcoModding Lurker Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Lancaster CA Posts: 1 E46 M3 - '04 BMW M3 90 day: 28.5 mpg (US) VW Jetta 2.0TFSI - '06 VW Jetta 90 day: 46.35 mpg (US) VSTAR 1100 - '04 Yamaha VSTAR 1100 Silverado Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	I can confirm that it is better at 50mph in a E46 M3(2004) I have achieved (over a full tank of gas) 32mpg when setting the cruise at 50mph on my trip to work and back which is ideal for gas mileage (Lancaster, CA to Edwards AFB). It is a flat stretch with no turns or stops. My tires have more drag than stock because of the size 315s in the rear and 275s up front and I am only running 35psi in them because when I jack them up to 50psi they wear in the center. Pretty remarkable because 6th gear is not really an overdrive in this car (0.85) with a 3.62 final. At 50mph I think I am taching 1750rpm. I will try 5mph increments to see what the best that I can achieve is. I can confirm the numbers at 80mph also. I get around 28mpg which is not bad at all for 333hp normally aspirated 3400lb car. I would like to note that I get some crazy looks when cruising at 50mph in an M3 when the speed limit is 70mph