Tank Ledger

BMW 840ci MPG by year — every rating on record

The BMW 840ci has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1994 to 1997. Across those years its best rated version returned 17 mpg (1995) and its thirstiest returned 15 mpg (1996). The EPA record holds 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

17best combined mpg (1995)
15worst combined mpg (1996)
15latest year best (1997)
4configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1994116 mpg16 mpg#49 of 56 (13th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
1995117 mpg17 mpg#40 of 50 (20th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
1996115 mpg15 mpg#36 of 38 (5th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
1997115 mpg15 mpg#33 of 37 (11th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW 840ci placed highest in 1997 at #33 of 37, and lowest in 1994 at #49 of 56. It spent 0 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 4 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19974.4L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)141915766.719.8$5,150592.4666666666667n/a
19964.4L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)141915766.719.8$5,150592.4666666666667n/a
19954.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)152217676.517.5$4,550522.7647058823529n/a
19944.0L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)132016718.818.6$4,850555.4375n/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.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1994 → 199516 → 17 mpg+1 mpg676 gal
1995 → 199617 → 15 mpg-2 mpg767 gal

What 840ci fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1997 BMW 840ci burns 767 to 767 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 priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$2,300$2,300$0
$3.50/gal$2,683$2,683$0
$4.00/gal$3,067$3,067$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 1997 model year is $5,150 to $5,150 a year in fuel, or $14,500 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 15 mpg the BMW 840ci is 9 mpg below the median, which is worth about $1,006 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other BMW nameplates

Every BMW model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.