BMW 3 Series MPG by year — every rating on record

The BMW 3 Series has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 1984 to 1988. Across those years its best rated version returned 24 mpg (1984) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (1987). The EPA record holds 26 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW 3 Series placed highest in 1984 at #28 of 57, and lowest in 1987 at #47 of 72. It spent 1 of its 5 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 26 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 3 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

What 3 Series fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1988 BMW 3 Series burns 575 to 639 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.

EPA’s own estimate for the 1988 model year is $3,100 to $4,300 a year in fuel, or $10,250 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 20 mpg the BMW 3 Series is 4 mpg below the median, which is worth about $335 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.