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Biff I think PaulGT3 is right. "Lugging" can gobble gas not to mention stress the engine components.
This weekend I went down south and back on 101 with my '12 X5M (5800 miles on it). I "took one for the team" and tested average mpg for 227 miles each way (ie over a relatively long haul) and came up with an AVERAGE mpg at an AVERAGE 60mph of over over 19 mpg for the full 227 miles going south and on the way back (in less traffic) at an average 70 mph came up with an AVERAGE mpg of 17 mpg. Didnt use the "M" button and didnt "Grisselize" but did an occasional sport downshifting (eg when noting a CHP on my side of the road).
I agree that use of the button and sport driving is death to mileage and have seen under 12mpg in short mpg tests . (I do Grisselize it when not commuting or testing)
At north of $4.50/gal it pays to be judicious in stomping on it. The vehicle is still at kick, I think we can all agree, even at relatively mundane speeds.
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