Tank Ledger

BMW 850ci MPG by year — every rating on record

The BMW 850ci has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 1993 to 1997. Across those years its best rated version returned 15 mpg (1995) and its thirstiest returned 13 mpg (1993). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

15best combined mpg (1995)
13worst combined mpg (1993)
15latest year best (1997)
6configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1993213 mpg13 mpg#60 of 64 (6th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars
1994113 mpg13 mpg#50 of 56 (11th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars
1995115 mpg15 mpg#42 of 50 (16th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
1996115 mpg15 mpg#37 of 38 (3th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
1997115 mpg15 mpg#34 of 37 (8th 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 850ci placed highest in 1997 at #34 of 37, and lowest in 1993 at #60 of 64. It spent 0 of its 5 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 6 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19975.4L 12-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)121915766.719.8$5,150592.4666666666667n/a
19965.4L 12-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)121915766.719.8$5,150592.4666666666667n/a
19955.4L 12-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS) (MPFI)121915766.719.8$5,150592.4666666666667n/a
19945.0L 12-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(GUZZLER) (FFS) (MPFI)111713884.622.9$4,800683.6153846153846n/a
19935.0L 12-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(GUZZLER) (FFS)111713884.622.9$4,800683.6153846153846n/a
19935.0L 12-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular(GUZZLER) (FFS)111713884.622.9$4,800683.6153846153846n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1994 → 199513 → 15 mpg+2 mpg767 gal

What 850ci fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1997 BMW 850ci 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 850ci 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.