[Moh]

Looking for some advice chaps. Finances permitting, I'm thinking of buying a used m3 conv/saloon although running costs would ultimately conclude if possible or not.

BMW state 25.2 but would love to know from you guys..

Thanks in advance

[creepy coupe]

Originally Posted by Moh

Looking for some advice chaps. Finances permitting, I'm thinking of buying a used m3 conv/saloon although running costs would ultimately conclude if possible or not.

BMW state 25.2 but would love to know from you guys..

Thanks in advance

Over eight months and 6000 miles 22 mpg, cars computer shows 25 mpg, but having worked it out based on fill up against miles covered, it's as above.

[rjs]

Averaging 16.8 at the moment over the first 1000 miles. I haven't done much motorway driving though.

[ibanezking]

round town.......... 16mpg

fast run........... 22mpg

takin it easy on m/way or A roads......... 26mpg


Max

[ed335d]

20mpg over 23k miles and 16 months

Worst I've had on a tank is 12.8mpg (150 miles), best is 25.4mpg (309 miles).

The OBC is, on average, 1.4mpg optimistic.

[Bungle009]

As a rule of thumb, i always work on 10% less than the combined number. If BMW state 25.2, i would expect around 22-23, only achieving the combined number on long runs.

[Moh]

Thanks for input guys. Quite varied. It's the round town mpg that is of concern.

[ed335d]

Originally Posted by Moh

Thanks for input guys. Quite varied. It's the round town mpg that is of concern.

I do quite a bit of motorway mileage - when I'm purely doing short trips, I get 15-17mpg

[dar2008]

Most of my driving is round town, and I get about 18.3mpg for that. That's about 220miles per fill up, which is normally around £70. On a run I generally achieve 22-23mpg. Mine's a convertible so presumably the heavier weight will affect the mpg achieveable.

You'll also need to factor in road tax at £460 a year and insurance (get some quotes off the internet ahead of your decision). Mine this year is another £460 fully comp.

Depending on your mileage, servicing costs can be quite low as it's generally 2year service intervals. And when a service is due, shop around as their can be quite a variety in pricing between dealers. For an oil service it's much cheaper to provide your own oil (from Opie) and get the dealer to do the change.

That's about it as far as running costs go unless you get into extending the manufacturers warranty @ +£700 a year!

[rogerxp]

I'm always a little suduced by the thought 'I can afford an M3' and when I hear some people's mpg figures I think 'that's better than what I get now'...

...but...


...when it's me behind the wheel, those figures will be completely different.

For example, when I had my 335i, I averaged 19mpg. My neighbour borrowed his mates M3 for a couple of weeks and averaged the same due to his different commute and driving style. Steve, the new member just posted in 'off-topic' told me yesterday he's getting 28mpg from his M3, BUT, he does more motorway miles than I ever would AND it's a virtually new DCT equipt M3, I'd only be able to afford an older manual M3 - there is a difference.

These cars are fantastic, and pretty affordable, just go in with your eyes open (especially as a lovely 335i is hardly a piece of crap and could fit the pockets a little better whilst still delivering).

Just my 2p. Good luck with it...

[M3-FAST]

When I was running mine in and keeping the revs out of the red I was getting about 20mpg.

Driving around town I get around 15mpg (OBC shows 16) - on a run (taking it steady) I have seen 22. Did a journey to France and back last year with a 2 adults, 2 kids, full boot and roof box on - averaged 20mpg.

A £90 tankful does around 180 miles ish, sometime a little more.

Servicing costs have been good - initial 1200 mile run in service costs around £450 (this is normally 'free' but in reality the dealer has included it in the selling price and it will be invoiced at cost between the sales and service departments once it is carried out. Mine needed it's first service at 2 years (13k miles ish). This included brake fluid etc and cost £500 ish inc vat.

Car has now done about 14-15k miles - still on it's original discs and pads and OBC shows another 12,000 left in them. Rear tyres lasted 6k (budget around £300 per corner) and front about 10k - this did include a track day though that probably killed the rears a month or two early.

Insurance is getting high and mine has risen about 40% per year and is now circa £900 (started off about £450 2 years ago ) - doesn't require a tracker so no subscription fees to pay there.

The only additional budget you will need is for mods - mine is on third set of wheels, splitter, black grilles, lowered springs, etc.... Once the bug bites!!

[CardinalZeus77]

22-25 mpg motorways

16 mpg around town

[DJP]

14.7mpg average. London driving. Don't hide from the truth!