Advertise on fullfatrr.com »

Home > My Range Rover > BMW 4.4 owners: Where's your "sweet spot"?
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
Print this entire topic · 
bergxu



Member Since: 18 Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 61

United States 2005 Range Rover HSE 4.4 V8 Zambezi Silver
BMW 4.4 owners: Where's your "sweet spot"?

I'm sure we've all heard the propaganda "every mile per hour you go over 70, you lose 1mpg in fuel economy.."

That being said, I know some engines run at a "sweet spot" where they're at their peak efficiency. I would assume most companies engineer their power units to be at peak efficiency in the rev-range that equates to traveling at the legal speed limit on motorways. In my '05 HSE, 75mph = 2,500rpm and 70mph = 2,200rpm. Today I drove from Cincinnati, Ohio to St. Louis, Missouri, a trip of about 375 miles, and averaged about 16.5mpg keeping a fairly steady 75mph clip. On my last highway journey of approximately 200 miles, I kept it around 70 and got 18.6mpg (this is US gallons obviously). Tomorrow, I have to head further west, from St. Louis to Kansas City, a trip of about 250 miles and it should be mostly flat, as today's drive was (although with a motherf*cker of a headwind!). Anyhow, was just wondering if anyone has discovered the BMW M62's sweet spot, because if 80mph means I'm running at better efficiency, I'll happily bump the clip up a notch to cover more ground on these long hauls my job forces me on. Yawn

Oh, and for posterity, here's a pic of the famous St. Louis arch. "The Gateway to the West" as it's called... Thumbs Up

Click image to enlarge


Admin note: this post has had its images recovered from a money grabbing photo hosting site and reinstated Mr. Green  Cheers,

Aaron

Post #111898 9th Mar 2012 1:08am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
jim2RRs



Member Since: 07 Feb 2012
Location: Genesee, Colorado
Posts: 147

United States 2005 Range Rover HSE 4.4 V8 Chawton White

it is not over 75, I can say that for sure.
Drove from Colorado to Pennsylvania over Christmas break.
70 or below, I was seeing 16+ mpg (US).
Set cruise at 80 or 85, it dropped to 15 or less. Jim
2000 NAS HSE
2005 NAS HSE

Post #111900 9th Mar 2012 4:37am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
IanV8



Member Since: 14 Jan 2010
Location: Dunfermline
Posts: 502

Scotland 2011 Range Rover Vogue SE TDV8 Santorini Black

Nice to see the arch again, looking down from the viewing windows made me ill, I had to sit on the floor before I could walk again.

We were told 'You should always take your girlfriend to the arch and kiss her between the legs'.

Back on track now.

On the odd occasion when I used my 4.4 petrol solo on long runs I found that 80 returned slightly better MPG than 70.

Not had a chance to find out what the 4.4 diesel does but have seen 34 mpg on the OBCD crusing at 80.

Ian

Post #111906 9th Mar 2012 7:50am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
fisha



Member Since: 25 Sep 2009
Location: Scotland
Posts: 1345

2015 Range Rover Autobiography SDV8 Aruba

I reckon mine is about the 70 mark and it'll drop a couple of mpg when pushed upto 80.

I think what aaffects me more is the effort in driving concentration when driving at the higher speeds, I get more tired, or more to the point the general stress level sits at a slightly higher amount which makes you more tired towards the end of the drive.

I used to drive lorries which were restricted to 56mph. They were actually great to drive on long runs. It was a much more relaxed drive ... you couldn't go any faster, so you sat back and enjoyed the view.

I now find I do that more often, I've seen myself kicking back and setting the cruise to 65mph and chilling out rather than blazing along at 80+ V8 or else ...

Post #111925 9th Mar 2012 9:21am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Bellini



Member Since: 11 Jan 2012
Location: Berkshire
Posts: 2261

United Kingdom 2007 Range Rover Supercharged 4.2 SC V8 Zermatt Silver

I'd say mine is also 70mph, but I've only really taken mine on one long-ish trip so far.

I would assume that maintaining a truly constant speed is the key, though.

Therefore, cruising at 80mph in mixed motorway traffic would mean more slowing down and acceleration, whereas 70mph would be a smaller difference and therefore consume less fuel.

With empty or clear roads, maybe as others have said, there isn't that much difference at 80 if the speed can be kept completely constant? Confused

I've got a rather nice conundrum coming up in late June. Do we take my V8 RR on holiday to Scotland (round trip somewhere around 1,500-2,000 miles or our (slightly more economical, FAR quicker and a lot more fun but slightly less cosseting) 5.4 E55? I know the E55 would get around 27mpg on the motorway, but am really curious how well my RR would do on a largely clear route. It's probably going to be a rock-paper-scissors decision. Si. <This is my name.

I eat rat poison.

A man ain't truly been insulted until he stands buck naked in front of a woman and she didn't even notice. Or care.

Post #111929 9th Mar 2012 9:37am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
drakes



Member Since: 26 Jan 2009
Location: Consett
Posts: 369

United Kingdom 2010 Range Rover Vogue TDV8 Stornoway Grey

If it's Scotland it has to be the FF so you can enjoy the scenery of the small back roads without worrying if the E55 may hit a pothole or ground. The FF also allows you to see over the hedges and walls. 2010 3.6TDV8 Stornoway Grey/ Black interior - gone
2005 4.4V8 (M62) Bonatti Grey/ Parchment interior - gone
1998 4.6HSE Blue/ Cream interior (can't remember exact colours) - gone
1977 White - gone (should have kept)

Post #111973 9th Mar 2012 1:22pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
bergxu



Member Since: 18 Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 61

United States 2005 Range Rover HSE 4.4 V8 Zambezi Silver

IanV8 wrote:
Nice to see the arch again, looking down from the viewing windows made me ill, I had to sit on the floor before I could walk again.

We were told 'You should always take your girlfriend to the arch and kiss her between the legs'.


Rolling with laughter Rolling with laughter

I think worse than looking out the windows was the damn ride up in that tiny capsule! I did it a few years ago when I had to come here on a business trip, and once was enough for me. Neat piece of design though. Surprised a tornado hasn't taken it out yet Whistle Cheers,

Aaron

Post #111987 9th Mar 2012 2:09pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
RR8701



Member Since: 11 Aug 2011
Location: East Ayrshire
Posts: 380

United Kingdom 2005 Range Rover Vogue 4.4 V8 Java Black

I did two trips in my 4.4 v8 2004 RR from glasgow to manchester. literally there and back no town driving except for 3-4 miles. averaged 20.5mpg. done this twice and both times got this mpg. this was mostly at 70-75 never over 80 at all.

i used to average 16 mpg mixed so general MPG was great and it was literally 50/50 mixed driving.

Post #112067 9th Mar 2012 4:11pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
daveo



Member Since: 21 Oct 2009
Location: london
Posts: 2307

United Kingdom 2004 Range Rover Autobiography 4.4 V8 Java Black

i dont think i ever came close to 20mpg even at a steady 60mph, 15 and 16mpg,18 tops if the wind is behind me.. V8 facelift Range Rover Autobiography 22" wheels.
1976 Harley Davidson Iron Head Sportster

Post #112115 9th Mar 2012 5:31pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
L322Pilot



Member Since: 10 Feb 2011
Location: Solihull
Posts: 19

England 2002 Range Rover Vogue 4.4 V8 Buckingham Blue

Just as a matter of interest when talking about MPG. An Imperial gallon contains 20% more liquid than a US gallon therefore 17.5 MPG in the States would be about 20.5 in the UK.

Post #112127 9th Mar 2012 6:39pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
RR8701



Member Since: 11 Aug 2011
Location: East Ayrshire
Posts: 380

United Kingdom 2005 Range Rover Vogue 4.4 V8 Java Black

Daveo is right, I rememebr it all so clear now. I thought the RR WOULD DO 20mpg easy on a run however to my shock topped out at exactly 17mpg on the obc and also when i done my manual brim to brim checks LOL.

Post #112146 9th Mar 2012 7:22pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
bergxu



Member Since: 18 Jan 2012
Location: Cincinnati
Posts: 61

United States 2005 Range Rover HSE 4.4 V8 Zambezi Silver

I'm now in Kansas City. My drive across Mizzou today was at a (roughly) 80mph clip and lo and behold....18.9mpg Shocked Cheers,

Aaron

Post #112186 9th Mar 2012 10:35pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Post Reply
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
fullfatrr.com RSS Feed - All Forums


Switch to Mobile site