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Realistic fuel economy - 116i N43 Auto

2577 Views 12 Replies 8 Participants Last post by GoldenBunip, Feb 8, 2016

nick-yeah

Discussion Starter · Feb 4, 2016

I purchase a 2009 116i (2.0 N43 engine) from a main dealer in December 2014, and while I love the car, I never expected the fuel economy to be so bad, around 26mpg - bearing in mind its only 122bhp.

Last November I had the NOx sensor replaced just prior to its warranty expiring, having used the Carly tool to identify it was faulty. Since then the mpg has dropped to around 22 mpg and now its hovering just over 20. To be fair I mostly drive around town and its an automatic.

I've emailed Stratstone BMW Leeds and the response from their "Aftersales Leader" was:

..in my 35 years' experience of working with BMW 22 MPG is about correct."

The official VOSA "Urban (cold)" figure for the car is 34mpg. While I appreciate these figures are under ideal test conditions, I find it hard to believe a modern 122bhp engine is going to get me ~20mpg, for a car that's been serviced on time per its spec at main dealers, and only has 25k miles on it.

Am I being unrealistic or just being fobbed off?

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marco_polo

· #2 · Feb 4, 2016

Small engine, very heavy car. Those Auto's are notoriously thirsty around town, and worse in winter of course.

What will it return at 65-70 on a long motorway run?

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nick-yeah

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 4, 2016

marco_polo said:
What will it return at 65-70 on a long motorway run?

Around 38mpg.

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marco_polo

· #4 · Feb 4, 2016

Sounds about right to me.

Check your engine is getting up to operating temp quickly in case of a poorly thermostat (I assume Carly can do this easily?), but it's normally just that slushbox.

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nick-yeah

Discussion Starter · #5 · Feb 4, 2016

marco_polo said:
Sounds about right to me.

Check your engine is getting up to operating temp quickly in case of a poorly thermostat (I assume Carly can do this easily?), but it's normally just that slushbox.

Ouch.

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RHK3

· #6 · Feb 4, 2016

I had a 116i for 4 years until I got rid of it in December. I use to get about 270 miles to a full tank. I get about 230 in my Megane RS so I know what the better choice was :lol2:

As Marco said, the car is way too under poerwed for its size and weight and an auto box will only make things worse.

Edit: Mine was 99% in town driving, rarely use the motorway

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mihad1

· #7 · Feb 4, 2016

26mpg is very low :? Even for an auto
Double check your thermostat definitely as Marco has said.

I do 80/20 Motorway to town driving and have averaged 36.6mpg in the last 8 months. About 350-390 miles to a tank. I just put the cruise on at 65/70 and just sit on the motorway lol

2010 116i (2.0) 6spd Manual, Oil changed every 8-10k and just ticked over 107,800 miles.

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Samy93

· #8 · Feb 4, 2016

That does sound very low! I'm getting around the same for a 2010 125i that's also an auto!

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nick-yeah

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 4, 2016

Samy93 said:
That does sound very low! I'm getting around the same for a 2010 125i that's also an auto!

Thanks...that was the shot in the arm I needed today

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Duffers917K

· #10 · Feb 4, 2016

I get 32-34mpg on a long run and 22-25 mpg around town in my pre-FL 130i.

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absolutnick

· #11 · Feb 5, 2016

Doesnt sound way off. In the last 2 months of london rush hour commute 15 miles per day, I get 22mpg exactly on my 118i 2007 N43 manual. Horrible. I do however have a faulty NOX sensor and a faulty thermostat (diagnosed through carly)

As far as I am aware they both affect only consumption so havent got around to fix them yet.

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nick-yeah

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 5, 2016

absolutnick said:
Doesnt sound way off. In the last 2 months of london rush hour commute 15 miles per day, I get 22mpg exactly on my 118i 2007 N43 manual. Horrible. I do however have a faulty NOX sensor and a faulty thermostat (diagnosed through carly) As far as I am aware they both affect only consumption so havent got around to fix them yet.

Seems to be right then by the responses, and the culprit is the N43. You should definitely sort out the NOx sensor as you're unlikely to pass the MOT emissions test without it being sorted.

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GoldenBunip

· #13 · Feb 8, 2016

Duffers917K said:
I get 32-34mpg on a long run and 22-25 mpg around town in my pre-FL 130i.

same here on the 130i 2005

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