Can a BMW X6M get any more thirsty?

[Mr. Merk]

Our Cayenne Turbo averaged 8.5 miles per US gal. About half of hwy mpg. We weren't taking it easy by any means. I could probably squeeze 10mpg out of it if I tried. The newer models do better with more gears.

[BayouBiker]

Originally Posted by DMStephenson

Thank you to everyone for their contributions.

I'm feeling that perhaps it's time to chop the M and buy a newer, more efficient X6.

I must confess I don't understand the 'fishing' comments, however if I've offended anyone with a breach of forum etiquette then please accept my apologies.

Best regards -- David

Don't mind Bob he has a sense of humor that is his own.

The 1/2 the mileage rule is a go by. There in England you'll be driving slower, your gallon is more than ours and your vehicle has better air dynamics, There are drag calculators online I use for this and I used it to estimate you'll lose about 5-7 miles per gallon.

[HappyHapgood]

You are a lucky European. Get a Cayenne Diesel S. 4.2 liter V8 beast of a diesel.

We can’t get one over here.

[nickclifford]

over here in the US, we mainly use V8 trucks or diesel ! My V8 Tundra probably drops about a 1/3 when towing ... only about 12-13mpg

day to day around 15-16 I think ... caravaning ain't cheap ..

[andee_lane]

Originally Posted by David F

My experiences for comparison:
F15 X5 35i (I6, Twinpower turbo): Without towing, 22-24 mpg (US). Towing (3000lbs), 11-12 mpg at 65 mph.

We tow our Nest (keeping it light @ 3500lbs) with our F15 X3 35i and get about 12-14 at 65mph.

[labans]

Not to be rude, but Supercharged engines are "under boost" at all times which is not true of turbocharged engines. However, when towing, any engine is under load and that load is what generates the amount of boost. Typically we find that 99% of all turbocharged engines are boosting most all of the time when towing. The amount of boost a supercharged engine gets is always the same regardless of the load as the boost curve never varies from its manufactured design whereas a turbocharger varies the boost depending on the exhaust pressure generated by the engine; more load, more exhaust pressure.

[SYC2Vette]

Originally Posted by labans

Not to be rude, but Supercharged engines are "under boost" at all times which is not true of turbocharged engines. However, when towing, any engine is under load and that load is what generates the amount of boost. Typically we find that 99% of all turbocharged engines are boosting most all of the time when towing. The amount of boost a supercharged engine gets is always the same regardless of the load as the boost curve never varies from its manufactured design whereas a turbocharger varies the boost depending on the exhaust pressure generated by the engine; more load, more exhaust pressure.

Well, also not be rude but supercharged engines are definitely not "under boost" at all times. The supercharger is driven at all times but when in bypass mode takes about 1/2 hp or less to drive so there is a parasitic loss. Manifold pressure under identical cruise conditions is similar to a non supercharged engine, but quickly increases when demanded. That said, the X6M is of course turbocharged.

[Mr. Merk]

Originally Posted by SYC2Vette

Well, also not be rude but supercharged engines are definitely not "under boost" at all times. The supercharger is driven at all times but when in bypass mode takes about 1/2 hp or less to drive so there is a parasitic loss. Manifold pressure under identical cruise conditions is similar to a non supercharged engine, but quickly increases when demanded. That said, the X6M is of course turbocharged.

Thank you, I was about to respond similarly.

[Andrew T]

If my brother keeps his speed down to 65 MPH he runs 12-14 with his 750 towing. It is the 4.4 Litre Turbocharged.

Are you going to use a weight distribution hitch with the X6? It will handle dramatically better with one. Does the trade wind still have electric brakes?

Andy

[Darkdog]

Hi David. Just a bit of feedback from a fellow UK user. I tow my ‘78 23’ Safari with a Nissan NP300 - live in Scotland but I’ve been all over the country and islands with it. Sticking to max 60mph I get 24 mpg overall with the Nissan. Mine is the Arctic Trucks upgraded suspension version with 32” rubber and it tows and stops perfectly even with the heavy nose weight of the stream. That’s my experience if it helps to make a decision. Hope you enjoy your airstream as much as I have enjoyed mine, there’s nothing else like them!

[labans]

You are right about that!
I don't know what they are running on passenger vehicles today but there are the two types of superchargers, positive displacement and dynamic and I admit I was thinking of the positive displacement type.

Originally Posted by SYC2Vette

Well, also not be rude but supercharged engines are definitely not "under boost" at all times. The supercharger is driven at all times but when in bypass mode takes about 1/2 hp or less to drive so there is a parasitic loss. Manifold pressure under identical cruise conditions is similar to a non supercharged engine, but quickly increases when demanded. That said, the X6M is of course turbocharged.

[camp-n-family]

Wranglers make for horrible tow vehicles. Soft suspensions and underpowered. You would be doing yourself a disservice trading for one of those to tow with.

[DMStephenson]

So thanks again to everyone who has so generously responded. I have found a 2018 X6 M50i which seems like a sensible replacement to me. Might not be the optimum towing vehicle but confident it will suffice and put a smile on my face when not pulling 2 tonnes of trailer.