None More Black

Mine's a 2005 X5 3.0D Sport that's done over 60k miles and I live in hilly north Wales. Over 3 years I've averaged 32 mpg. I don't have a heavy right foot but don't hang about either, tending to accelerate smoothly whenever possible. I don't know if they all have it, but there's a very useful (and sometimes frightening) fuel consumption meter on my dash. As ade X5 says, tyre pressures are important and I find that ensuring the engine air filter is clean helps, too. If you're getting black exhaust smoke when you accelerate hard, it's well past time to get a new filter in.

I bought my 2005 3.0D Sport (with most of the toys) from a BMW dealership 3 years ago. It's done 56k miles now and I'm very pleased with the quality and performance. Fuel consumption is better than I expected. I replaced the original (Michelin) tyres with General Grabber UHP and can totally recommend them - a grippier tread pattern for mud and snow, with a compound containing silica. Despite the chunkier tread they are much quieter on the road. The speed rating is higher, and they are cheaper (or should I say "less expensive"?). Check out BlackCircles.com - around £135 each, if I recall correctly. Just changed the engine air filter myself, which instantly cured the black smoke I'd started getting on hard acceleration. Why don't BMW dealers ever change it at servicing?? Not been impressed with main dealer servicing at all. They only know how to charge. This is my 2nd BMW (I had a Z3 for several years) and I still enjoy surprising other drivers and pedestrians by being courteous on the road. It's a pity many don't repay the compliment though.