Sudden in drop in MPG and strange smell

madman · 12-08-2008, 02:47 PM

I normally get around 41mpg (320i, e92) from my normal driving.

The last time my car was in the dealer they told me that that had also done some work due to a recall. (not sure what they did)

However, since I got the car back I have noticed that now I only get around 32mpg and sometimes when i put the car in the garage there is a strong smell, almost like petrol and paint mixed together.

The car is due for its first service in a few hundred miles so I will get them to check it out then, but has anyone else experienced this or does anyone know what it could be?

madman · 12-09-2008, 04:10 AM

wow....78 views and not one reply. this must be a record

McLuVan · 12-09-2008, 05:14 AM

that's because a lot of people don't have a 320i man

mroach · 12-09-2008, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLuVan

that's because a lot of people don't have a 320i man

I don't think being 320 has anything to do with the lack of replies...

I'd just take the car back to the dealer now and make them sort it out now, in advance of the scheduled service.

I've learned my lesson about driving around in a car with problems and putting repairs. Whatever it is could be doing damage to your engine, so best to sort it out ASAP.

noro · 12-09-2008, 08:32 AM

Why won't you get the car back to the dealer and tell them after they fucked with it you have this issue.

Aurora Bearialis · 12-09-2008, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by noro

Why won't you get the car back to the dealer and tell them after they fucked with it you have this issue.

you should do that. That's what they are there for, to fix the thing, I mean it is the dealership after all.

mike-y · 12-09-2008, 10:20 AM

Just a guess, but it sounds like a faulty oxygen sensor. When the sensor goes bad, it can not read the air/fuel mixture properly, and makes your car run very rich (the computer dumps in too much fuel). What you are probably smelling is the excess fuel that is not getting burned completely. Do you have any error or check engine codes?

My other guess is your catalytic converter is fouled or clogged up, which would cause poor mileage but also decreased power. but running too rich for a prolonged period of time can also foul a catalytic converter.

Take the car in as soon as possible.

jlstyle · 12-09-2008, 10:32 AM

Wow 320i gets 41mpg????????????????????
Holy prius....
Anyways, I would just bring it to the dealer rather than waiting for random answers here.

BK · 12-09-2008, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlstyle

Wow 320i gets 41mpg????????????????????
Holy prius....
Anyways, I would just bring it to the dealer rather than waiting for random answers here.

Rated at 22 city / 42 highway, so the OP is doing pretty well to get 41 in mixed driving.

OT - I've said it before, but back in the old days, I had a 1987 Honda Civic CRX HF 5MT, EPA rated 42 city / 52 highway. Slow as balls, but extremely lightweight and decently fun to drive. That was, what, 20 years before the Prius and it kicks the Prius's ass in terms of mpg. On 87 octane, I regularly got almost 60 mpg on the highway. Like driving a motorcycle.

mroach · 12-09-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jlstyle

Wow 320i gets 41mpg????????????????????
Holy prius....
Anyways, I would just bring it to the dealer rather than waiting for random answers here.

He's in the UK. An imperial gallon is 20% larger than a US gallon. 41 UK MPG is about 34 US MPG. Still pretty good.

We should all switch to L / 100km. I use that in my car and it's quite nice. Currently doing 9.5 which is pretty bad. I've been lead-footing quite a bit lately. I can get it in the low 8s if I try.

madman · 12-09-2008, 12:52 PM

I dont think the fact its 320i has anything to do with the problem.

I will be taking it into the dealers as soon as possible, i was just wondering if anyone had any idea of what it was before i take it in.

When I said it is due in a few hundred miles, that will be in a few days. I can't get it in any sooner than that.

nicknaz · 12-09-2008, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BK

Slow as balls, Like driving a motorcycle.

Umm. No.

A slow motorcycle such as Kawasaki EX500 will pull a mid 12s 1/4 mile stock AND deliver 55mpg

BK · 12-09-2008, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick Nazareno

Umm. No.

A slow motorcycle such as Kawasaki EX500 will pull a mid 12s 1/4 mile stock AND deliver 55mpg

LOL - okay, you're right. I meant mpg only.

E90330iS · 12-09-2008, 04:40 PM

get it checked!

JunkStory · 12-09-2008, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mroach

He's in the UK. An imperial gallon is 20% larger than a US gallon. 41 UK MPG is about 34 US MPG. Still pretty good.

We should all switch to L / 100km. I use that in my car and it's quite nice. Currently doing 9.5 which is pretty bad. I've been lead-footing quite a bit lately. I can get it in the low 8s if I try.

Yep.

L/100km >> mpg

12-08-2008, 02:47 PM	#1
madman Major 108 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: The Above Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lincolnshire, UK iTrader: (0)	Sudden in drop in MPG and strange smell I normally get around 41mpg (320i, e92) from my normal driving. The last time my car was in the dealer they told me that that had also done some work due to a recall. (not sure what they did) However, since I got the car back I have noticed that now I only get around 32mpg and sometimes when i put the car in the garage there is a strong smell, almost like petrol and paint mixed together. The car is due for its first service in a few hundred miles so I will get them to check it out then, but has anyone else experienced this or does anyone know what it could be? __________________ If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space. Last edited by madman; 12-08-2008 at 04:14 PM..
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12-09-2008, 04:10 AM	#2
madman Major 108 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: The Above Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lincolnshire, UK iTrader: (0)	wow....78 views and not one reply. this must be a record __________________ If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
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12-09-2008, 05:14 AM	#3
McLuVan Lieutenant General 304 Rep 13,114 Posts Drives: ///M3 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Socal~818~ iTrader: (1)	that's because a lot of people don't have a 320i man
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12-09-2008, 08:32 AM	#5
noro Colonel 90 Rep 2,707 Posts Drives: '91 M3, '04 E46 ZHP, '72 2002 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Boston iTrader: (0)	Why won't you get the car back to the dealer and tell them after they fucked with it you have this issue. __________________ zhpregistry.net - ZHP stats and free classifieds.
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12-09-2008, 10:20 AM	#7
mike-y just another bmw douche bag 195 Rep 3,640 Posts Drives: 1.9L of fury Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (4)	Just a guess, but it sounds like a faulty oxygen sensor. When the sensor goes bad, it can not read the air/fuel mixture properly, and makes your car run very rich (the computer dumps in too much fuel). What you are probably smelling is the excess fuel that is not getting burned completely. Do you have any error or check engine codes? My other guess is your catalytic converter is fouled or clogged up, which would cause poor mileage but also decreased power. but running too rich for a prolonged period of time can also foul a catalytic converter. Take the car in as soon as possible.
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12-09-2008, 10:32 AM	#8
jlstyle Lieutenant Colonel 355 Rep 1,762 Posts Drives: Porsche Panamera Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: USA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2014 Audi S7 [0.00] 2015 BMW X5 [0.00]	Wow 320i gets 41mpg???????????????????? Holy prius.... Anyways, I would just bring it to the dealer rather than waiting for random answers here.
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12-09-2008, 12:52 PM	#11
madman Major 108 Rep 1,252 Posts Drives: The Above Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Lincolnshire, UK iTrader: (0)	I dont think the fact its 320i has anything to do with the problem. I will be taking it into the dealers as soon as possible, i was just wondering if anyone had any idea of what it was before i take it in. When I said it is due in a few hundred miles, that will be in a few days. I can't get it in any sooner than that. __________________ If you're not living on the edge, you're taking up too much space.
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12-09-2008, 04:40 PM	#14
E90330iS Major General 143 Rep 6,333 Posts Drives: BMW M4 Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arcadia, California iTrader: (56) Garage List 2006 330i [0.00]	get it checked! __________________ 2017 BMW M4 DCT Lease Transfer: https://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...8#post23736398
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