Eco Pro...Not for me

OC40 · 03-29-2013, 05:33 PM

I finally hit 1,000 miles today on a fairly long trip (65 miles each way). I have been driving in Comfort approximately 75% of the time and Sport/Sport+ approximately 25% of the time.

I decided to give Eco Pro a chance on the expressway...and I...I...just couldn't. I'll happily give up a few MPG for a little extra "oomph". In Comfort, my full tank dropped a hair below 3/4 for the trip, which is pretty good IMO.

That being said, I will give it one more try during an upcoming trip to Scottsdale on the flat road that is the 10...

rconti · 03-29-2013, 06:10 PM

It's just a remapping. It won't save you fuel if you drive just as aggressively. So if you get on the throttle hard to compensate for the lazy mapping, your mileage will be the same.

Most of these things are just gimmicks to trick you into driving more gently.

Throw it in sport and drive gently and you'll get ecopro mileage. More or less. (shift points are changed too, but the throttle mapping is likely the biggest deal).

Who? · 03-29-2013, 06:12 PM

imo its impossible to get ecopro milage on sports mode. the engine rev range is different...

MiamiF30 · 03-29-2013, 06:21 PM

Just picked my f30 up the other day...Eco pro is great to drive to work in stop and go traffic....my .02 ( maybe worth .03 in Eco )

Jparker82 · 03-29-2013, 06:51 PM

Don't feel bad. I have a AH3 and CAN'T drive in Eco ever. I think I am getting like 23.7 MPG, but I really didn't buy it because of fuel economy. I bought it because it was fast. I did play around one day and got like 38 on the hwy.

MotoEV · 03-29-2013, 07:06 PM

ECO Pro is fantastic for what it is designed to do. If left in Sport mode by default, I would get 15 MPG. For the 335i and AH3, the inline six is too seductive. The fuel gauge moves much quicker when NOT in ECO Pro.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jparker82

Don't feel bad. I have a AH3 and CAN'T drive in Eco ever. I think I am getting like 23.7 MPG, but I really didn't buy it because of fuel economy. I bought it because it was fast. I did play around one day and got like 38 on the hwy.

rayusaFL · 03-29-2013, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbmwuser

imo its impossible to get ecopro milage on sports mode. the engine rev range is different...

+1

CKau · 03-29-2013, 11:23 PM

I like ECO pro mode. Maybe its because i have come from a relatively lower powered car, but if you stick the boot in during ECO Pro, the car will still pick up its skirts and move. I would say the inital part of the throttle travel is mushy and the gear shifts run too aggressively to the higher gears, but thats it.

Its still responsive in 328i guise. I dont know what all the fuss is about.

OC40 · 03-30-2013, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CKau

I like ECO pro mode. Maybe its because i have come from a relatively lower powered car, but if you stick the boot in during ECO Pro, the car will still pick up its skirts and move. I would say the inital part of the throttle travel is mushy and the gear shifts run too aggressively to the higher gears, but thats it.

Its still responsive in 328i guise. I dont know what all the fuss is about.

Not fussing on my end. I bought it for speed and not mpg. I tried EP but it is lacking for me. If i wanted mpg, I would have purchased a Leaf. Though, i wouldn't fit in a Leaf since I am 6'5. Again, wasn't complaining...just sharing my humble opinion.

dreamspeed · 03-30-2013, 09:02 AM

Realistically the only time I would be able to tolerate Eco pro is when I'm basically going in a straight line at one speed for a long time.

I know BMW needs to come up with ways to meet ever tightening government regulations but I bought an Ultimate Driving Machine not a Prius.

That being said I have no problems with features you can turn off

snowghost · 03-30-2013, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newbmwuser

imo its impossible to get ecopro milage on sports mode. the engine rev range is different...

Maybe with an AT, but with my 6MT I drive 100% of the time in Sport and Sport+ and get very good mileage when I feel like it.

DesertSmokeBBQ · 03-30-2013, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC40

I finally hit 1,000 miles today on a fairly long trip (65 miles each way). I have been driving in Comfort approximately 75% of the time and Sport/Sport+ approximately 25% of the time.

I decided to give Eco Pro a chance on the expressway...and I...I...just couldn't. I'll happily give up a few MPG for a little extra "oomph". In Comfort, my full tank dropped a hair below 3/4 for the trip, which is pretty good IMO.

That being said, I will give it one more try during an upcoming trip to Scottsdale on the flat road that is the 10...

HA! Once you're on the 10 past Palm Springs, put it in Echo Pro, there won't be any overtaking to do and on my trips to San Diego/Vegas I'm getting phenomenal mileage! That said, in town I'm always in Sport with the transmission in sport or manual, the car is just too much fun NOT to.... Also, be ready for rock chips....the roads out here are flat but ridiculous in terms of debris.

Anonymous Henchman #5 · 03-30-2013, 06:05 PM

I have the MT. I find that with Ecopro, it is the easiest mode for maintaining smooth shifts, such as when I'm driving with my wife and kid in the car. With Sport or Sport+, I have to concentrate much harder on modulating the clutch if I want to avoid abrupt shifts (I really only care when I have passengers). Thus, I find it useful when I want the passengers to enjoy a smooth ride. I also like to toy around with Ecopro on occasion to see what kind of fuel economy I can achieve, it sometimes adds a little diversion to my boring as hell commute to work. I would probably utilize Sport/Sport + more, but the roads where I live are about as uninspiring as you can imagine: perfectly flat, straight, and slow.

OC40 · 03-30-2013, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DesertSmokeBBQ

HA! Once you're on the 10 past Palm Springs, put it in Echo Pro, there won't be any overtaking to do and on my trips to San Diego/Vegas I'm getting phenomenal mileage! That said, in town I'm always in Sport with the transmission in sport or manual, the car is just too much fun NOT to.... Also, be ready for rock chips....the roads out here are flat but ridiculous in terms of debris.

When I lived in S-Dale, I was not as concerned about the rock chips. I'll be on the look out for them now...and scorpions!

DesertSmokeBBQ · 03-30-2013, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OC40

When I lived in S-Dale, I was not as concerned about the rock chips. I'll be on the look out for them now...and scorpions!

rattlesnakes are out early this year as well....

justinnum1 · 03-30-2013, 06:30 PM

love eco pro

krnnerdboy · 03-30-2013, 07:00 PM

Eco pro also changes the settings of your climate control. Which doesn't draw as much parasitic drag from the motor. It's a great system and my wife gets 36mpg on her highway commute. I get to play with sport though

Anonymous Henchman #5 · 03-30-2013, 07:15 PM

I used Ecopro almost exclusively on a trip to the airport recently (an 80 mile round trip drive). I made an effort to drive conservatively, and only used Sport mode briefly. The route was about 80% highway and I kept speeds under 70 MPH. From my garage and back, the trip computer reported 36.2 MPG. I have a 335i MT M sport.

I decided to drive the rest of the tank using mostly Ecopro. I averaged 28.5 MPG (manual calculation) for the whole tank. Normally, I average about 25-26 MPG using mostly Comfort and not consciously focusing on being light on the throttle.

DarkTrigger · 03-30-2013, 09:42 PM

I really don't notice much of a difference between eco pro and comfort mode in terms of MPG. Also, it really sucks here when it's hot and it's in eco pro mode, it'll make you sweat inside!

AndDown · 03-30-2013, 09:48 PM

On a highway or freeway without much traffic, I'll activate the Sport mode button, push my AT shifter left to DS mode and then manually upshift to M8. This way, I'm getting the stiffer sport steering with EcoPro mileage. I simply downshift to M7 or M6 when needed. On our recent trip, I was averaging 33-34 mpg at 75 - 80 mph which included going via a mountain pass.

OC40 · 03-30-2013, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkTrigger

I really don't notice much of a difference between eco pro and comfort mode in terms of MPG. Also, it really sucks here when it's hot and it's in eco pro mode, it'll make you sweat inside!

You can change that setting!

OC40 · 03-30-2013, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndDown

On a highway or freeway without much traffic, I'll activate the Sport mode button, push my AT shifter left to DS mode and then manually upshift to M8. This way, I'm getting the stiffer sport steering with EcoPro mileage. I simply downshift to M7 or M6 when needed. On our recent trip, I was averaging 33-34 mpg at 75 - 80 mph which included going via a mountain pass.

Great to know...I think I'll try this!

03-29-2013, 05:33 PM	#1
OC40 Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,831 Posts Drives: 335i MSport + MPS/MPPK Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 MINI S [0.00] 2013 BMW 335i [0.00]	Eco Pro...Not for me I finally hit 1,000 miles today on a fairly long trip (65 miles each way). I have been driving in Comfort approximately 75% of the time and Sport/Sport+ approximately 25% of the time. I decided to give Eco Pro a chance on the expressway...and I...I...just couldn't. I'll happily give up a few MPG for a little extra "oomph". In Comfort, my full tank dropped a hair below 3/4 for the trip, which is pretty good IMO. That being said, I will give it one more try during an upcoming trip to Scottsdale on the flat road that is the 10...
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03-29-2013, 06:10 PM	#2
rconti Lieutenant 14 Rep 525 Posts Drives: x5 3.5d, Clownshoe, Tesla 3 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: SF Bay iTrader: (0)	It's just a remapping. It won't save you fuel if you drive just as aggressively. So if you get on the throttle hard to compensate for the lazy mapping, your mileage will be the same. Most of these things are just gimmicks to trick you into driving more gently. Throw it in sport and drive gently and you'll get ecopro mileage. More or less. (shift points are changed too, but the throttle mapping is likely the biggest deal).
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03-29-2013, 06:12 PM	#3
Who? Colonel 485 Rep 2,197 Posts Drives: F87 LCI Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Brisbane iTrader: (0)	imo its impossible to get ecopro milage on sports mode. the engine rev range is different... __________________ So far: 200cell downpipe, custom exhaust, lifhtweight splitter, m4 comp seats
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03-29-2013, 06:21 PM	#4
MiamiF30 Private 0 Rep 59 Posts Drives: '13 F30 328I AW Sportline Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: MIAMI iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 BMW 550I [0.00]	Just picked my f30 up the other day...Eco pro is great to drive to work in stop and go traffic....my .02 ( maybe worth .03 in Eco ) __________________ F30 AW '13//Sportline//HK//Lighting Package//Technology Package//Sport Transmission
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03-29-2013, 11:23 PM	#8
CKau First Lieutenant 33 Rep 391 Posts Drives: G01 X3 Xdrive30i M sport Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: sydney, australia iTrader: (0)	I like ECO pro mode. Maybe its because i have come from a relatively lower powered car, but if you stick the boot in during ECO Pro, the car will still pick up its skirts and move. I would say the inital part of the throttle travel is mushy and the gear shifts run too aggressively to the higher gears, but thats it. Its still responsive in 328i guise. I dont know what all the fuss is about. __________________ 2018 BMW X3 xDrive30i M Sport [sold]2013 BMW X3 xDrive30d [Sold] 2013 F30 328i
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03-29-2013, 06:51 PM	#5
Jparker82 First Lieutenant 46 Rep 365 Posts Drives: 2019 X6M Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Southeast. iTrader: (0)	Don't feel bad. I have a AH3 and CAN'T drive in Eco ever. I think I am getting like 23.7 MPG, but I really didn't buy it because of fuel economy. I bought it because it was fast. I did play around one day and got like 38 on the hwy.
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03-30-2013, 09:02 AM	#10
dreamspeed Lieutenant Colonel 262 Rep 1,616 Posts Drives: 6MT Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Realistically the only time I would be able to tolerate Eco pro is when I'm basically going in a straight line at one speed for a long time. I know BMW needs to come up with ways to meet ever tightening government regulations but I bought an Ultimate Driving Machine not a Prius. That being said I have no problems with features you can turn off __________________
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03-30-2013, 06:05 PM	#13
Anonymous Henchman #5 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 335i M-sport MT EBII Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: California Central Valley iTrader: (0)	I have the MT. I find that with Ecopro, it is the easiest mode for maintaining smooth shifts, such as when I'm driving with my wife and kid in the car. With Sport or Sport+, I have to concentrate much harder on modulating the clutch if I want to avoid abrupt shifts (I really only care when I have passengers). Thus, I find it useful when I want the passengers to enjoy a smooth ride. I also like to toy around with Ecopro on occasion to see what kind of fuel economy I can achieve, it sometimes adds a little diversion to my boring as hell commute to work. I would probably utilize Sport/Sport + more, but the roads where I live are about as uninspiring as you can imagine: perfectly flat, straight, and slow.
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03-30-2013, 06:30 PM	#16
justinnum1 Major General 651 Rep 5,803 Posts Drives: 2018 330i Msport 6mt Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Florida iTrader: (0)	love eco pro __________________ F30 330i Alpine white/Coral red Msport 6MT
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03-30-2013, 07:00 PM	#17
krnnerdboy Colonel 190 Rep 2,431 Posts Drives: v10 m6 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: so cal iTrader: (10)	Eco pro also changes the settings of your climate control. Which doesn't draw as much parasitic drag from the motor. It's a great system and my wife gets 36mpg on her highway commute. I get to play with sport though __________________ F80 m3, 997 gt3, 14 ram ctd, f15 x5, drz400sm Gone:z4m, boss 302, c6 z06, m6,z3m
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03-30-2013, 07:15 PM	#18
Anonymous Henchman #5 Enlisted Member 1 Rep 30 Posts Drives: 335i M-sport MT EBII Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: California Central Valley iTrader: (0)	I used Ecopro almost exclusively on a trip to the airport recently (an 80 mile round trip drive). I made an effort to drive conservatively, and only used Sport mode briefly. The route was about 80% highway and I kept speeds under 70 MPH. From my garage and back, the trip computer reported 36.2 MPG. I have a 335i MT M sport. I decided to drive the rest of the tank using mostly Ecopro. I averaged 28.5 MPG (manual calculation) for the whole tank. Normally, I average about 25-26 MPG using mostly Comfort and not consciously focusing on being light on the throttle.
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03-30-2013, 09:42 PM	#19
DarkTrigger Professional 50 Rep 977 Posts Drives: 335i MPPK Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: LB, SoCal iTrader: (0)	I really don't notice much of a difference between eco pro and comfort mode in terms of MPG. Also, it really sucks here when it's hot and it's in eco pro mode, it'll make you sweat inside!
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03-30-2013, 09:48 PM	#20
AndDown Just Copacetic! 178 Rep 616 Posts Drives: 2019 F22 230i MSport Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Redlands, CA iTrader: (0)	On a highway or freeway without much traffic, I'll activate the Sport mode button, push my AT shifter left to DS mode and then manually upshift to M8. This way, I'm getting the stiffer sport steering with EcoPro mileage. I simply downshift to M7 or M6 when needed. On our recent trip, I was averaging 33-34 mpg at 75 - 80 mph which included going via a mountain pass.
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