Instrument panel with leather finish

[zavalder]

Hi everyone, I recently traded my 2011 550i for a 2014 640i M sport edition. This one comes with the instrument panel with leather finish. I would like to know what do you guys use to clean the leather. Does it require any maintenance at all? I hate the shiny finish that leather cleaners leave. Any recommendations?
Also, the 550i had an 18 gallons, but the 640i goes empty at 16 gallons, is this right? How many miles per full tank the 640 usually gets?
I'd appreciate your input. Thanks

[m34SPD]

I usually get about 450 mile range depending on which gas station I fill up at. Average is closer to 400 mile range. Average MPG I get is 22~ but I do a mix of city/highway.

I use this Griots product for my leather:

http://www.autogeek.net/griots-leather-care.html

And this:

http://www.detailersdomain.com/Wolfs...ant_p_707.html

[southern6er22]

Here's my write-up from a while back about my leather care regimen: http://southern6er22.blogspot.com/20...attle.html?m=1

I'm about 2.5 years into ownership, and my leather still looks great. The driver's seat is a little more worn, but no cracks, years, etc. the rest of the car still looks brand new.

[JNoSol]

I use BMW leather care products for the following reasons:
1. It smells good
2. It doesn't stain
3. If it does stain, BMW will be liable

As for mpg of the 640i. Mine is xDrive, so I get 22.4mpg on normal mode average (mixed driving). In Eco Pro mode, I get 34mpg on the highway.

Don't ever let your fuel go below 1/8 tank. Fuel pump should never run dry (when you hit a bump), it's more prone to failure due to heat and friction when the tank is low. I keep mine above 1/4 tank for this reason.

It's just an old school theory, I never had a fuel pump failure in a BMW.

[BMWOO7]

Personally, and I've done this on every car I've ever owned, I NEVER use any interior conditioner, personal opinion but I just don't like the look etc...

I have a separate 'absorber' that I use just for the interior, get it wet, ring it out and then wipe down the interior.


I have never once, ever had an issue with the interior of the car the quality of the leather etc... Even more so, it keeps everything in the car smelling like brand new for years.

We traded in my wife's 2011 E70 that we actually purchased in 07/2010 and after 3 years and about 21000 miles that X5 was literally as clean if not cleaner than the day we bought it.

If used regularly, every week / other week it will keep your steering wheel looking like the day you bought the car and the same goes for the seats.

Again, just my two cents here....

In regards to fuel economy, driving pretty conservatively we average with mixed city / highway (40%/60%) about 22 MPG with a 650i xDrive. Our X5 which is a 35i averages around 23.5 MPG, both are pretty consistent year round.

[zavalder]

Thanks everyone for your input. I think something's wrong with my 640i, it's only giving me an average of 17mpg. The 550ix used to give me 13 mpg. I was expecting a much greater fuel efficiency with the 6 cyl engine. I get close to 300 miles per full tank on Premium. What should I do?

[m34SPD]

Where do you fill up? I fill up only at Shell since I've bought it.

Also, have you reset the figures? When I got mine, it was reading 12MPG. Guess someone enjoyed it!

[zavalder]

Originally Posted by MMG640

Where do you fill up? I fill up only at Shell since I've bought it.

Also, have you reset the figures? When I got mine, it was reading 12MPG. Guess someone enjoyed it!

I usually use BP or Hess and reset the MPG with every fill up. Do you think the type of gas have some influence on this?

[M6-Coupe]

Originally Posted by zavalder

Thanks everyone for your input. I think something's wrong with my 640i, it's only giving me an average of 17mpg. The 550ix used to give me 13 mpg. I was expecting a much greater fuel efficiency with the 6 cyl engine. I get close to 300 miles per full tank on Premium. What should I do?

Nothing is wrong with your car! Something is wrong with your driving style
Don't worry I have the same problem while people are getting 16-18 mpg from their M5/M6, I'm getting 12-13... lol
BTW I used to get 16 from my previous 650i had the same engine of your 550i, so it means you drive more aggressively than me

[zavalder]

Originally Posted by M6-Coupe

Nothing is wrong with your car! Something is wrong with your driving style
Don't worry I have the same problem while people are getting 16-18 mpg from their M5/M6, I'm getting 12-13... lol
BTW I used to get 16 from my previous 650i had the same engine of your 550i, so it means you drive more aggressively than me

LOL that's what I'm talking about! You just made my day buddy. These cars are meant to be driven!!! Eco-Pro what???? I've been taming myself (E60 M5 to E92 M3 to F10 550xi and now to F13 640i) and thought by getting a lower end engine I'd change the way I drive...I guess it didn't help. Kudos to those getting 400miles per tank though :-)