Tank Ledger

BMW 850i MPG by year — every rating on record

The BMW 850i has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 2 model years, from 1991 to 1992. Across those years its best rated version returned 13 mpg (1991) and its thirstiest returned 13 mpg (1991). The EPA record holds 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

13best combined mpg (1991)
13worst combined mpg (1991)
13latest year best (1992)
4configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1991213 mpg13 mpg#70 of 73 (4th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars
1992213 mpg13 mpg#65 of 69 (6th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW 850i placed highest in 1992 at #65 of 69, and lowest in 1991 at #70 of 73. It spent 0 of its 2 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
19925.0L 12-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(GUZZLER) (FFS) (MPFI)111713884.622.9$4,800683.6153846153846n/a
19925.0L 12-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular(GUZZLER) (FFS) (MPFI)111713884.622.9$4,800683.6153846153846n/a
19915.0L 12-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular(GUZZLER) (FFS)111713884.622.9$4,800683.6153846153846n/a
19915.0L 12-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular(GUZZLER) (FFS)111713884.622.9$4,800683.6153846153846n/a

What 850i fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1992 BMW 850i burns 885 to 885 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$2,654$2,654$0
$3.50/gal$3,096$3,096$0
$4.00/gal$3,538$3,538$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 1992 model year is $4,800 to $4,800 a year in fuel, or $12,750 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 13 mpg the BMW 850i is 11 mpg below the median, which is worth about $1,419 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.