[paul e]

Just finished my annual Christmas trip to the northeast.

According to the trip computer in the car, I traveled 967 miles at an average speed of 63.6 MPH returning 32.3 MPG. And that’s the average speed which of course includes about 45 mins of complete standstills for highway work, over the course of the 2 days.

I want in a hurry...it’s again two day drive so what’s the point...but I kept up with the traffic flow...except in VA, there I just set the cruise to the actual speed limit according to the GPS even with a radar detector as the radar guns were everywhere.

Not a bad result from the 340’s turbo six and the 6MT, I thought.

[agentorange]

Originally Posted by paul e

I want in a hurry...it’s again two day drive so what’s the point...but I kept up with the traffic flow...except in VA, there I just set the cruise to the actual speed limit according to the GPS even with a radar detector as the radar guns were everywhere.

I thought VA was one of the states that banned radar detectors? If so, you were smart to stay out of the crosshairs. You would be down a bunch a cash for speeding and missing an expensive detector (instant confiscation).

[IK6SPEED]

Originally Posted by agentorange

I thought VA was one of the states that banned radar detectors?

Radar Dectectors are illegal in VA.

So is speeding.

[Mkswoosh]

From portland, or to seattle, wa 3 hour drive I avg 33mpg. Not sure on the avg speed. So our cars on highway commute are awesome for the type of car we have. Now in traffic work commute i get 23ish.

[paul e]

Originally Posted by IK6SPEED

Radar Dectectors are illegal in VA.

So is speeding.

I don’t use the detector to speed, I use it to be aware of radar traps to make sure even the Cruise hasn’t drifted.

I also know they are illegal there, I take it down. It’s still operating from the passenger seat. No issues.

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by paul e

Just finished my annual Christmas trip to the northeast.

According to the trip computer in the car, I traveled 967 miles at an average speed of 63.6 MPH returning 32.3 MPG. And that’s the average speed which of course includes about 45 mins of complete standstills for highway work, over the course of the 2 days.

I want in a hurry...it’s again two day drive so what’s the point...but I kept up with the traffic flow...except in VA, there I just set the cruise to the actual speed limit according to the GPS even with a radar detector as the radar guns were everywhere.

Not a bad result from the 340’s turbo six and the 6MT, I thought.

Nice run. Make a similar run about 970 round trip a few times a year back "home" from Raleigh NC to Spring Lake on the Jersey Shore. The 440 MPPSK 8ZF on cruise control knocks down a consistent 31.9 @ 70.4 over the road on interstates. Try to time runs to beat DC rush hour traffic.

Don't use radar detectors but have been using WAZE for a long time, generally iPhone in the BMW. Very effective in beating the traps. Hit one trap in VA mid 1990's with NJ plates before WAZE but generally have been pretty good about getting through without any traffic stops.

The 3 BMW I have made the run in 335is, 435 MPPK & 440 MPPSK all have have remarkably similar mile results over the road. Best BMW for the trip on mileage was the 330CI ZHP by a few MPG.

[Wires]

The 340 is pretty remarkable for fuel mileage. I have the 8AT, previous car was an '08 335 6AT.

The 340 is about 20% better on fuel than my 335 was (it did have mechanical steering though). No complaints!

[Eddien123]

Drive highway a lot best I see in my 2014 335 6MT is about 29ish but it is tuned tho perhaps that doesn't help. Either way that's very good numbers. RWD I'm assuming?

[puckwizard]

Originally Posted by paul e

Just finished my annual Christmas trip to the northeast.

According to the trip computer in the car, I traveled 967 miles at an average speed of 63.6 MPH returning 32.3 MPG. And that’s the average speed which of course includes about 45 mins of complete standstills for highway work, over the course of the 2 days.

I want in a hurry...it’s again two day drive so what’s the point...but I kept up with the traffic flow...except in VA, there I just set the cruise to the actual speed limit according to the GPS even with a radar detector as the radar guns were everywhere.

Not a bad result from the 340’s turbo six and the 6MT, I thought.

which mode we're you driving in: eco, comfort, sport,sport+.

[Billfitz]

Originally Posted by paul e

I just set the cruise to the actual speed limit according to the GPS.

Set the cruise to 5% above the limit. Cops don't look at the speed of every car, they set the gun to sound an alarm when they detect a car going at least 10% over the posted limit. Even with handheld units flashing manually they still don't bother you for less than 10% over the limit. They don't want to stop every other car on the road, and there's also the matter of fines increasing the higher you are over the limit. They'd rather go after just a few big fish than a whole lot of guppies. If you don't have GPS that checks your speed and you go by the odometer you have even more cushion, as the odometer reads about 3 to 4% higher than actual.

[paul e]

Originally Posted by Eddien123

Drive highway a lot best I see in my 2014 335 6MT is about 29ish but it is tuned tho perhaps that doesn't help. Either way that's very good numbers. RWD I'm assuming?

Nope....xDrive.

[paul e]

Originally Posted by puckwizard

which mode we're you driving in: eco, comfort, sport,sport+.

Sport all the time...but no adaptive, so it’s just the steering and the accelerator.

[paul e]

Originally Posted by Billfitz

Set the cruise to 5% above the limit. Cops don't look at the speed of every car, they set the gun to sound an alarm when they detect a car going at least 10% over the posted limit. Even with handheld units flashing manually they still don't bother you for less than 10% over the limit. They don't want to stop every other car on the road, and there's also the matter of fines increasing the higher you are over the limit. They'd rather go after just a few big fish than a whole lot of guppies. If you don't have GPS that checks your speed and you go by the odometer you have even more cushion, as the odometer reads about 3 to 4% higher than actual.

Exactly...my GPS puts the speed limit in yellow if you go over that threshold, plus I set the cruise to the GPS speed plus 2 or 3....I stay under that yellow warning though no matter what.
Plus I’m retired, it’s a two day trip no matter what you do, so not even close to being in a hurry.

[Wires]

For me, I find I can get better mileage in sport vs comfort.

Comfort reduces the sensitivity of the throttle, so if you drive like my buddy who's always fluttering the gas, it will give you better mileage.

If you have better throttle control, sport is more responsive, so I typically get better mileage in sport.

Most noticeable when driving on a road with a lot of rolling hills. Cruise control would negate the mode though.

[Eddien123]

Originally Posted by Wires

For me, I find I can get better mileage in sport vs comfort.

Comfort reduces the sensitivity of the throttle, so if you drive like my buddy who's always fluttering the gas, it will give you better mileage.

If you have better throttle control, sport is more responsive, so I typically get better mileage in sport.

Most noticeable when driving on a road with a lot of rolling hills. Cruise control would negate the mode though.

Exactly. Tightening up the steering and suspension also doesn't affect fuel economy either. And eco pro is basically useless with a 6MT

[BEAR-AvHistory]

With an 8ZF best mileage over the road is Comfort/Cruise Control. You need to watch the Sport settings because generally they will go into "skip 8th gear" mode so you will be driving in 7th raising the rpm.

If you start to run into slower more congested traffic shift to Sport for better control but remember to go back to Comfort when it clears.

In state we have a lot of 70 mph zones. Usually go +10mph on cruise with the speedo factory overrate providing a cushion. +15mph is a reckless driving ticket & +10 is pretty much ignored.

[Wires]

Originally Posted by Eddien123

Exactly. Tightening up the steering and suspension also doesn't affect fuel economy either. And eco pro is basically useless with a 6MT

Eco pro will also start messing with your climate control to reduce electrical load. I tried in once, for about 30 minutes, and then turned it off. It allows the cabin temps to swing a lot further from the set points, and other things.

In the auto, it tries to upshift as fast as possible (which like you mentioned, does nothing in a MT).

My comfort is worth more than a couple cents worth of gas.

[Eddien123]

Originally Posted by Wires

Eco pro will also start messing with your climate control to reduce electrical load. I tried in once, for about 30 minutes, and then turned it off. It allows the cabin temps to swing a lot further from the set points, and other things.

In the auto, it tries to upshift as fast as possible (which like you mentioned, does nothing in a MT).

My comfort is worth more than a couple cents worth of gas.

Agreed... with my 6MT I find myself always in sport except when I'm highway cruising.

[paul e]

Update, return trip....30.6 MPG according to trip computer...not bad, was in some just horrible traffic on I-81S just south of the merge from I-78, then the usual standstill/creep/speed up/standstill/creep/speedup ad nauseum routine due to the seemingly permanent construction just about 20 miles north of Charlotte on I-77S.

This is a great travel car, unfortunately this 65 year old body with an L3 lumbar issue says that next year, I’m flying into Hartford and renting a car.

[Gbtr6]

I've been driving mine in comfort when I cruise the highway also. Haven't driven any long drives yet. Sport when I can around town, as it is the more responsive/fun way. Averaging @ 27 overall now. Really like it a lot.

Perry

[BEAR-AvHistory]

Originally Posted by paul e

Update, return trip....30.6 MPG according to trip computer...not bad, was in some just horrible traffic on I-81S just south of the merge from I-78, then the usual standstill/creep/speed up/standstill/creep/speedup ad nauseum routine due to the seemingly permanent construction just about 20 miles north of Charlotte on I-77S.

This is a great travel car, unfortunately this 65 year old body with an L3 lumbar issue says that next year, I’m flying into Hartford and renting a car.

I was born in 1941, think about the same time they started that road construction.

[paul e]

Error update....I actually did the math, and gallons used divided into actual mileage showed 31.58....so even better.