[ward00]

I just completed a continuous 300 mile drive from Santa Cruz, Ca via hwy 1, 101 and 5 to Los Angeles with the cruise control set at 55mph. Other than 2 stops I made and the last 3 miles off the freeway, I never disengaged the cruise (much to the consternation of the truck drivers that were passing me at 70 mph+). The route had small rolling hills and of course the Grapevine. I did it to see if I could offset the recent price hikes in diesel. I am happy to report that I got 60.4 mpg, which compares to the about 40mpg I get when I normally make the same trip at an avg speed of 80 mph and no cruise. I might add that the car has a Kerma stage 2 installed. Unless there are gas lines at the pump, I don't think I will use cruise at 55 again (very boring, and on hwy 5 actually dangerous).

[ssf556]

Good info….

[capt_slow]

That's some great MPG!

Was this average only on the freeway parts of the trip? So you reset the trip computer right about when you got on the freeway?

[ward00]

Originally Posted by capt_slow

That's some great MPG!

Was this average only on the freeway parts of the trip? So you reset the trip computer right about when you got on the freeway?

It was all freeway except for the start and end with 2 stops and with no resets. I might add that if I had to disengage the cruise while driving on the freeway the results would have been different. But there was minimal traffic so I was able to keep the cruise at 55 the whole way (except the stops and at the end) and when the semis were on my tail with flashing lights I did not budge (payback for all the times they did the same to me)

[Precisionnick]

Originally Posted by ward00

I just completed a continuous 300 mile drive from Santa Cruz, Ca via hwy 1, 101 and 5 to Los Angeles with the cruise control set at 55mph. Other than 2 stops I made and the last 3 miles off the freeway, I never disengaged the cruise (much to the consternation of the truck drivers that were passing me at 70 mph+). The route had small rolling hills and of course the Grapevine. I did it to see if I could offset the recent price hikes in diesel. I am happy to report that I got 60.4 mpg, which compares to the about 40mpg I get when I normally make the same trip at an avg speed of 80 mph and no cruise. I might add that the car has a Kerma stage 2 installed. Unless there are gas lines at the pump, I don't think I will use cruise at 55 again (very boring, and on hwy 5 actually dangerous).

That's some impressive fuel mileage! What are you paying for diesel in CA? In NJ I've been paying around $6.25 give or take for it.

[Enabled]

This is phenomenal mpg. I can't get myself to go under 80mph on long road trips.
Very nice report

[ward00]

Originally Posted by Precisionnick

That's some impressive fuel mileage! What are you paying for diesel in CA? In NJ I've been paying around $6.25 give or take for it.

About 7 bucks in Calif

[Enabled]

I guess I won't complain about our $4.99 to $5.29

[ssf556]

I recently bought a 2018 328d RWD out in Las Vegas and drove it back home to SC. The trip back was through SLC, Yellowstone, South Dakota, Iowa, IL, Kentucky, TN and back to SC.

Despite 2 days of 35+mph winds in SD and Iowa I averaged 46.6 mpg. Hand calculated running between 70 and 80mph and a good amount of “city” driving in Yellowstone and Custer. With some rural backroads thrown in as well.

I am diesel head, currently own a 2012 Ram 3500 and a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD with the 3.0L V6 Mercedes diesel engine.

I bought the 328d as a fight against the EV takeover and will keep it for a long time.

Also I made it my goal on my road trip to try and not pay over $5 a gallon for diesel. I was successful except for one fill up in Montana for $5.05.

[ssf556]

Originally Posted by Enabled

I guess I won't complain about our $4.99 to $5.29

We should all be complaining. Do not settle for the new “normal”. Diesel is the backbone of this country and it will be that way for many years to come.

[ward00]

Originally Posted by ssf556

I recently bought a 2018 328d RWD out in Las Vegas and drove it back home to SC. The trip back was through SLC, Yellowstone, South Dakota, Iowa, IL, Kentucky, TN and back to SC.

Despite 2 days of 35+mph winds in SD and Iowa I averaged 46.6 mpg. Hand calculated running between 70 and 80mph and a good amount of “city” driving in Yellowstone and Custer. With some rural backroads thrown in as well.

I am diesel head, currently own a 2012 Ram 3500 and a 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee CRD with the 3.0L V6 Mercedes diesel engine.

I bought the 328d as a fight against the EV takeover and will keep it for a long time.

Also I made it my goal on my road trip to try and not pay over $5 a gallon for diesel. I was successful except for one fill up in Montana for $5.05.

I thought I was going to go all diesel also, but the current state of affairs makes me think I made the wrong decision. The future does not look good for the price premium being attached to diesel fuel. More expensive than premium gas by a buck, no thanks, makes no economic sense. Compound that with the cost of fixing diesels, particularly BMWs, has made me think I will be selling my 328d in the near future. $5000 a pop to replace the stuff that has started to break after the warranty period is crazy. The best bet IMHO is to buy old gas cars you like and replace them when they break. The only thing I currently like about my 328d is the Kerma TDI stage 2 and its 250HP when I have to pass a slow poke (like I was when I did the 55mph test). Come to think of it, perhaps I keep my 328d for the "war", when gas stations are closed and I need to get from "here" to "there" without filling up. At 60mpg I could make it From Santa Cruz and back twice on one tank. I'm not going to do it, but perhaps there is an even more optimal mph that would give an even better mpg?

[HighlandPete]

Originally Posted by ward00

but perhaps there is an even more optimal mph that would give an even better mpg?

Maybe... Lowest speed you can drive in the highest gear without lugging. With plenty of air available in diesel combustion and keeping the turbo from adding much boost, BSFC (Brake Specific Fuel Consumption) can be very good at best point.

Spending years with diesel vehicles, I'm not at all surprised at your consumption. G20 318d (2.0 diesel) I had a while back as a loaner, well above 70mpg (UK mpg), without any effort, when cruising sensible speeds.

[ssf556]

Originally Posted by ward00

I thought I was going to go all diesel also, but the current state of affairs makes me think I made the wrong decision. The future does not look good for the price premium being attached to diesel fuel. More expensive than premium gas by a buck, no thanks, makes no economic sense. Compound that with the cost of fixing diesels, particularly BMWs, has made me think I will be selling my 328d in the near future. $5000 a pop to replace the stuff that has started to break after the warranty period is crazy. The best bet IMHO is to buy old gas cars you like and replace them when they break. The only thing I currently like about my 328d is the Kerma TDI stage 2 and its 250HP when I have to pass a slow poke (like I was when I did the 55mph test). Come to think of it, perhaps I keep my 328d for the "war", when gas stations are closed and I need to get from "here" to "there" without filling up. At 60mpg I could make it From Santa Cruz and back twice on one tank. I'm not going to do it, but perhaps there is an even more optimal mph that would give an even better mpg?

Do not fret the current situation. If diesel dries up this country dies. I actually think the opposite. EV powered vehicles will eliminate gasoline vehilcles way before diesel.

The amount of diesel powered vehicles (ships, trains, off road, on highway) is absolutely beyond comprehension.

For the most part gasoline is consumed by private vehicles., those will be replaced with EVs.

You will always be able to find diesel.

[WillLowe]

I'm also a bit surprised I thought your consumption would of been better. I regularly get around 57mpg in my 435d sitting at 60mph on my 200 mile weekly commute and back. It may not be an estate but the xdrive should about make up the excess weight and drive train loss.

[AndrewC1989]

Originally Posted by WillLowe

I'm also a bit surprised I thought your consumption would of been better. I regularly get around 57mpg in my 435d sitting at 60mph on my 200 mile weekly commute and back. It may not be an estate but the xdrive should about make up the excess weight and drive train loss.

The measurement of a gallon is slightly different in the US than it is in the UK. In the Americas, a gallon is equivalent to 128 fluid ounces or 3.785 liters, but in the UK it's 160 fluid ounces or 4.546 litres. Therefore your UK 57mpg is the same as our US 47mpg. #TheMoreYouKnow

https://www.omnicalculator.com/conve...y%20conversion

[firehawk618]

That's nuts!

I've had several diesel cars in the past and the best one of the bunch was the MK4 Golf with the ALH engine and 5 speed. 50mpg could be had (hand calculated over a couple tanks) IF I drove it like grandma and never exceeded 60mph. It was brutal to accomplish that to see what it would do. Average in that car was 45 and it was very hard to get below 40.

With each subsequent generation of the TDi the average economy got a little worse but power and drivability got better.

MKV Jetta with a 5 speed manual was around 40.

MKVI Golf with 6 speed (CJAA powered) is also about 40.

They could both get more if I really tried but that was my average. 90% highway commuting in all.

I'm looking forward to see if this 2018 328d at least matches the CJAA Golf which it is replacing. Even if it's not quite as good that's ok as it's a 100% improvement in drivability. 2 hrs per day in the car commuting.

[WillLowe]

Originally Posted by AndrewC1989

The measurement of a gallon is slightly different in the US than it is in the UK. In the Americas, a gallon is equivalent to 128 fluid ounces or 3.785 liters, but in the UK it's 160 fluid ounces or 4.546 litres. Therefore your UK 57mpg is the same as our US 47mpg. #TheMoreYouKnow

https://www.omnicalculator.com/conve...y%20conversion

Oh I genuinely never knew that. Every days a school day. In that case that is impressive