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Re: steady-state 80 mph is more like 17-18 mpg

my guess most of it is from rings seating

and possibly slight decreases in internal friction as the components adjust to each other. i would think the latter effect, if a factor at all, is miniscule. but the rings are a pretty big deal.

not disputing, just curious why this is?

also keep in mind mileage improves with break-in

mine got significantly better after the first few hundred miles of use. the only way to tell for sure is to conduct a controlled test which is really way more work than anyone here is likely to bother with. certainly not me :)

Yes and no...

I agree that the way you drive has a lot more to do with the mileage than P400/P500... BUT

Driving in the same manner (around town, "normal" driving), I have been seeing BETTER mileage in P500. I wanted to know if anyone has noticed the same thing.

The P500 setting allows the throttle butterflies to open 100% and changes the fueling and engine maps, so its not impossible that it does have some effect on mileage.

FZ

i always drive in p500s now

i don't think the mode affects mileage at all - it's how you use the car that matters. the modes just control how the car responds to inputs. if you push the throttle a bit more in p400 you'll get the same thing. it's all about perception (well, unless you're on the track and then 'mileage' becomes 'footage' anyway).

got 175 miles on 10 gal refill on the way

to the track (about 1/2 tank showing on the gauge at that point). next refill was after 70 miles on the track, 15 gal :)

Re: steady-state 80 mph is more like 17-18 mpg

I have driven 825 miles in my '06 M5 since I got it two weeks ago, so it still is under the 1200 break-in period. I have been getting 12 MPG in city driving. I took my first "long" trip (225 miles) last Wednesday. It averaged 12 MPG. The tank has a capacity of 18 gallons, a full tank gives me a range of 250 miles in the interstate.
'06 M5, Black Sapphire Metallic, Sepang Bronze Extended Leather, SMG, Heads-up Display, Premium Sound
'05 Silver Gray Metallic 645ci, Hamman Aerodinamic Mods, M6 Wheels, Brembo Grand Turismo brakes
'05 Titanium Silver Metallic 545i
'04 Titanium Gray Metallic 745Li
'03 325i Dinan
'05 Black SLK 350 (black sheep of the family)

Agree - you can get 17-18 mpg hwy

If you drive smoothly and don't push the gas too hard. It's tough though - better just get used to hanging out at the gas station a lot...

Is the mileage better in P500?

I haven't done a full test but I get the feeling that in P500, the mileage is better, or at least no worse, than in P400. I'm not sure if how P400-500 affect the fueling so its hard to know.

I have been meaning to do a full tank comparo back to back but I haven't yet.

FZ

Re: I want an M5 BUT:

I would figure 17-18 mpg highway cruising (in P400 mode). That should give you at least 255 miles, or 3+ hours cruising, with a 3 gallon reserve. Not that bad.

steady-state 80 mph is more like 17-18 mpg

mileage tends to improve as the engine is breaking in, too. initally i got 9 mph city and 12 highway driving pretty gently. now that my break-in is done and i'm sideways more often than a 'mature' adult should be (who am i kidding), i'm getting 13 city and 18 highway. yes, the range is still fairly short but it's FUN :) you can pass at will.

by the way, in P500S one has to be careful when pulling away from a stop and turning. i was pulling out of a side street with some traffic closing in so i pushed the gas maybe 3/4 way to get in front of them. whooooa. the traffic got quite a show of me sideways and a cloud of smoke. they stayed back after that :)

I want an M5 BUT:

My big concern is the range the car has. My understanding is that the new M5 gets about 12 mpg and only has a 15 gallon gas tank. This gives it a range of only 160 miles. If I am on a 400 mile trip at lets say 80 mph I would have to stop to refuel about every 1.5 hours to keep the tank above 1/4 full. This is a tremendous inconveience. I am not so concerned about the exra cost of fuel, but am concerned about having to stop and refuel all the time.

What has been the experience so far of you guys who own the new M5?

Thanks.