4.8 150 miles towing

Cannondale · Post by **Cannondale** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 3:30 pm

As a few will know I was worried about MPG from the 4.8 when towing our caravan. I have just been away for a week and done 300 miles with an Ave MPG of 19.4. about half the 300 miles were towing and the rest going to the shop and running about etc. When towing I was doing 55 to 65 mph and the rest was mainly country lanes so not the best or road for economy. Still fancy a remap though as I think it will help when towing even more.

I am well happy with that and it still has a 1/4 of a tank for petrol left as well, giving a range of 86 miles with 307 on the trip.

I know a derv would be better but the 4.8 is not as bad as I would have thought.

Rich...

wilkoturbo · Post by **wilkoturbo** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 4:18 pm

Im the same fancy a remap just worried about the tx case plus gearbox with more power and the weight of the van !!?

Lee4.8is · Post by **Lee4.8is** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 6:41 pm

Thats a great result, i can understand why your chuffed, bet it tows really easy aswell.

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 7:18 pm

That's a very good result. What does the 'van' weigh? 1500kgs ish?

B5tew · Post by **B5tew** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 7:22 pm

Thats pretty good Richard but makes my 29.1 on my last trip look even better.

I was very light footed to be honest and also when possible tuck in behind a lorry you would be suprised what a difference that makes.
I still sometimes wish I had gone for the 4.8is but I use my car every day and it would bankrupt me in no time.
Stewart

Lee4.8is · Post by **Lee4.8is** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 7:32 pm

[quote="B5tew"]
I still sometimes wish I had gone for the 4.8is but I use my car every day and it would bankrupt me in no time.
Stewart
[/quote]
I used my 4.8is daily & it did bankrupt me! i think you made the right choice, if you are seriously wealthy then the 4.8 is the way forward, but i am not minted so it had to go

gmc15 · Post by **gmc15** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 7:36 pm

Excellent mpg towing. I used to get about 12-14mpg towing a 1500kg van with my 4.6, and that was taking it easy

Lee4.8is · Post by **Lee4.8is** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 7:41 pm

[quote="gmc15"]
Excellent mpg towing. I used to get about 12-14mpg towing a 1500kg van with my 4.6, and that was taking it easy

[/quote]
I used to get 12mpg going to work without a caravan on! Think i was too heavy footed then! i do miss the V8 roar of the X5

mogsyman · Post by **mogsyman** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 7:50 pm

Best I could ever do was 24 on a run driving like a right girl, 18.6 average over 30,000 miles of differing types of driving.

Are you sure you actually started the engine

)

X5Sport · Post by **X5Sport** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 7:51 pm

Might be suffering from Raj's 'tail wind'..

CondorX5 · Post by **CondorX5** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 9:50 pm

[quote="mogsyman"]
Best I could ever do was 24 on a run driving like a right girl, 18.6 average over 30,000 miles of differing types of driving.

Are you sure you actually started the engine

)
[/quote]

Careful now with those comments >:D about girls........ I love my 4.8. Its not as frugal as other V8s - my S8 still gets a better overall consumption, but then the S8 has no towbar and isn't quite as versatile as the X..... the X has had consumption of 32mpg with me driving on very long runs in the past, and I've always managed around 20-22mpg towing a loaded Loadtrekker trailer. Usual current consumption on horrendous daily commute via Spaghetti Junction is around 22-24ish mpg at the moment, in dreadful traffic. Not the worst, and at least its a pleasure to drive rather than some poxy miniature sardine tin without a soul

)

I don't care if I don't leave anything for anyone to inherit, having blown the lot on petrol for my V8

)

Cannondale · Post by **Cannondale** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 10:43 pm

The caravan is 1635kgs and the car was 4 up with a full boot.

TBH I find the 4.8 better than I though on fuel, sure on short journeys it is 16ish but as soon as you do a 20 to 40 mile run mid 20 are easy enough. This is the second time I have towed with the 4.8 and 17 to 19 with the van on seems to be what I am getting. I towed with my other car 2009 2.0 TDI CR Passat Estate before we got the X and this would only get 28 MPG with the same caravan and driven even slower than the 4.8.

The biggest problem I have towing with the 4.8 is that in D it seems to want to stop in 6th right down to about 45 MPH. If you give it a bit more it then seems to drop to 5th and then straight into 4th. Once you get to the top of a hill it goes into 5th for a few second and then into 6th. It seems better to over ride it some times.

I am not sure if mine has a problem or they are all like it? I was hoping a remap migh help it out when towing. It has plenty of power without doubt but just seems to not use the gears as well as it could.

Yep I could not aford to use the 4.8 as a daily driver either

But as a weekend toy and caravan mover it is keeping me happy so far, especcialy now petrol is down to £1.30 a litre again.

mogsyman · Post by **mogsyman** » Sat Jun 09, 2012 10:53 pm

As I mentioned, the main gripe I had with my 4.8iS is the gearbox is absolutely shite.

Can't really fault the rest of the package but the gearbox really let the car down

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B5tew · Post by **B5tew** » Sun Jun 10, 2012 1:01 am

I have never noticed a problem with the gearbox on mine it just seems to drive the same as when I am not towing the caravan it always seems to be in the right gear at the right time
But I have towed with a 318 I auto so that might explain things !

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Raj · Post by **Raj** » Mon Jun 11, 2012 7:50 am

I'm forever telling peeps the 4.8 is actually very Eco friendly...

)

[quote="X5Sport"]
Might be suffering from Raj's 'tail wind'..

[/quote]

LOL. You obsessed by my flatulence still.... :dead:

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