BMW 3-Series Gas Mileage (MPG)
Unlike other fuel economy surveys, TrueDelta's Real-World Gas Mileage Survey includes questions about how and where a car was driven. So you can get an idea of the BMW 3-Series's real-world MPG based on how and where you drive a car.
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BMW 3-Series
BMW 3-Series Gas Mileage
| Year | Body/Powertrain | flat, hilly, or mountainousLand | driving style: very light to "lead foot"Foot | A/C use: none to heavyA/C | constant stop and goTraf % | many stops per mileCity % | stop every mile or twoSub % | fairly steady speedHwy % | Hwy Spd | MPG |
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
flat | med | none | 5 | 5 | 30 | 60 | 60 | 24.0 |
| flat | med | hvy | 5 | 10 | 5 | 80 | 80 | 23.0 | ||
| flat | med | none | 10 | 65 | 10 | 15 | 74 | 22.4 | ||
| flat | med | light | 0 | 10 | 15 | 75 | 70 | 28.6 | ||
| flat | med | light | 22 | 22 | 22 | 33 | 62 | 27.4 | ||
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
flat | med | light | 8 | 22 | 16 | 53 | 69 | 25.1 |
| Averages | flat | med | light | 8 | 22 | 16 | 53 | 69 | 25.1 | |
| With the 255-horsepower 3.0L I6 engine, 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission, and rear-wheel drive, 2006 BMW 3-Series fuel economy has been averaging
25.1 MPG (miles per gallon). The 2006 BMW 3-Series in this analysis were driven mostly on the highway at an average speed of 69 miles per hour (about 53 percent of the miles driven). The rest of the miles were in the city (22 percent), in the suburbs (16 percent), and in heavy traffic (8 percent). In addition the average 2006 BMW 3-Series in this analysis was driven on flat terrain with a medium foot and the AC on only some of the time. |
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If you are not a TrueDelta member, you can see only five BMW 3-Series MPG fuel economy averages for each powertrain. Log in or join us to see them all.
What Our Members Are Saying about the Real BMW 3-Series MPG
| BMW 3-Series Fuel Economy: Pros | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2012 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 240hp 2.0L I4 8-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
The new twin turbo I4 produces great fuel economy and performance. Estimated 36 highway is great for a performance car, I'll report my mpg after I've had it awhile. 3 different drive modes, (economy, comfort, sport) depending on your mood. |
| 2009 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 265hp 3.0L I6 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
42 mpg with cruise at 75. 30 mpg+ mix of freeway & town driving. 25 mpg with all in-town driving. |
| 2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Very good fuel economy on highway if you allow cruise control to manage speed - 26-29 mpg. In town it drops to 19-21 mpg and if you play boy racer then it'll drop to the 15 mpg area. |
| 2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Very good fuel economy on highway if you allow cruise control to manage speed - 26-29 mpg. In town it drops to 19-21 mpg and if you play boy racer then it'll drop to the 15 mpg area. |
| 2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
30 mpg on the highway at 70mph is just fine for a 3500 pound car. |
| 2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
averages 25+mpg for a mix of freeway/city driving |
| 2008 | 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
better than my previous car (Infiniti G35), reasonable mpg for the performance offered |
| 2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
better than 20mpg in town, up to 30 on the highway |
| 2007 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
With a large engine (300hp), it gets 26-29 on the hwy and around 19 in the city. |
| 2007 | 4dr Wagon 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Where else can you get great performance and good fuel economy? |
| 2007 | 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
Given my driving habits, it gets far better mileage than many of its competitors would (G35 for example). |
| 2007 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I get 22.5 MPG driving like a bat out of hell. |
| 2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
It has so much power and I still manage 23-24 mpg in town. |
| 2007 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
Averaging 21 MPG is 70% city/30% freeway driving. On a long road trip I average 29 MPG (includes a few mountain passes and 80 MPH average speed.) |
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
Can be quite thirsty if driven with high spirit |
| 2005 | 4dr Sedan 235-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
Most efficient six cylinder car in its class--real world results include 22-24 mpg in suburban driving and 30+ on the highway. |
| 2004 | 4dr Sedan 235-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
excellent for its class and performance |
| BMW 3-Series Fuel Economy: Cons | ||
| Year | Body/Powertrain | Comment |
| 2010 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I knew it would drink a lot of premium fuel, but my first day of driving around the city, mostly normally, was less than 15 mpg. I swear, I wasn't pounding the gas pedal either! |
| 2009 | 2dr Coupe 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 6-speed manual RWD |
16 mpg for light city/highway driving. 16 gallon fuel tank limits range to about 300 miles for typical owners (assuming you run the tank dry). |
| 2009 | 4dr Sedan 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 6-speed manual RWD |
M3 averages 16.6 mpg. Spirited driving brings it to single digits. There is hardly any need for that, given the recent engine advances. |
| 2009 | 2dr Coupe 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 7-speed automated manual RWD |
I only get 18. This car should get more like 23, much like a vette or cts. |
| 2009 | 4dr Sedan 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 6-speed manual RWD |
Its a 414 hp V8. It drinks a lot. |
| 2008 | 2dr Coupe 414-horsepower 4.0L V8 6-speed manual RWD |
While you might say 'why bitch if you can afford the car?' the mpg can be SHOCKINGLY bad. I knew what I was getting into, and yes, I can afford it, but wow. My True Delta average is 16.5mpg but that can dip into the 12's bumper to bum |
| 2008 | 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
press the gas watch the fuel go down |
| 2008 | 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
I average 20-22 mpg. getting expensive to run the car. I wish it was in the mid 20s, but 6 cyl and awd I guess it could be worse. and its not direct injection engine (reminds me to buy the injector cleaner stuff!) |
| 2008 | 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Need to burn a lot of dinosaurs if you have a lead foot like me. |
| 2008 | 4dr Wagon 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Less than the A3. Though the base 328i has a larger 6 cylinder engine while the A3 is a 4 cylinder turbo. 328i is also larger and heavier. It is more closer toa wagon while the A3 is closer to a hatchback. |
| 2007 | 2dr Coupe turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6 6-speed manual RWD |
OK for the amount of power available |
| 2007 | 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
The 328 coupe has mediocre fuel economy, even when driven very lightly - I get 32mpg in freeway driving. Having said that, the 335 has a spectacular engine which consumes about the same amount of fule but delivers 300hp. |
| 2007 | 4dr Wagon 230-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
expensive expensive expensive |
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
not high enough for a small car |
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
I really dont mind it. Nothing else on the list caught my eye. |
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 255-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD |
BMW builds heavy cars which hurt fuel economy. |
| 2006 | 4dr Sedan 215-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Wish it could get closer to 35 mpg with price of gas. Averaging consistently between 24-27 mpg with an even mixture of highway/city. |
| 2005 | 4dr Sedan 225-horsepower 3.0L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
Not as impressive as the TL. |
| 2005 | 4dr Sedan 225-horsepower 3.0L I6 6-speed manual AWD |
not sure how good it is |
| 2002 | 2dr Coupe 184-horsepower 2.5L I6 5-speed shiftable automatic RWD |
The fuel usage is normal for a six cylinder of this type. |
