BMW 135i MPG by year — every rating on record
The BMW 135i has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 2008 to 2013. Across those years its best rated version returned 23 mpg (2011) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2008). The EPA record holds 12 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 2 | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | #28 of 59 (53th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2009 | 2 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #33 of 61 (47th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2010 | 2 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #38 of 63 (40th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2011 | 2 | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | #21 of 60 (66th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2012 | 2 | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | #19 of 62 (70th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2013 | 2 | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | #23 of 71 (69th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW 135i placed highest in 2012 at #19 of 62, and lowest in 2010 at #38 of 63. It spent 4 of its 6 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 12 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (AM-S7) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 432 | 5/10 |
| 2013 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | SIDI, turbocharged | 20 | 28 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $3,350 | 387 | 6/10 |
| 2012 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S7) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2012 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | SIDI, turbocharged | 20 | 28 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $3,350 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 2011 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S7) Premium | SIDI, turbocharged | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2011 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | SIDI, turbocharged | 20 | 28 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $3,350 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 2010 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2010 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2009 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 17 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2009 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2008 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 17 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2008 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 → 2009 | 21 → 20 mpg | -1 mpg | 575 gal |
| 2010 → 2011 | 20 → 23 mpg | +3 mpg | 500 gal |
What 135i fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2013 BMW 135i burns 500 to 575 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,500 | $1,725 | $225 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,750 | $2,013 | $263 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,000 | $2,300 | $300 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2013 model year is $3,350 to $3,900 a year in fuel, or $8,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Subcompact Cars
Across the 461 nameplates EPA classifies as Subcompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 24 mpg. At 23 mpg the BMW 135i is 1 mpg below the median, which is worth about $73 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Subcompact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other BMW nameplates
Every BMW model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.