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TrueDelta Reviews the Real Gas Mileage of the BMW 3-Series

BMW 3-Series Real Gas Mileage: Pros
YearComment
2016 A number of BMW 3 Series variants offer better fuel economy than the tested 340i xDrive. You can get a conventional four-cylinder (with EPA ratings of 23 city, 35 highway), a diesel (32/42), or even a plug-in hybrid (28/34). But for a 320-horsepower all-wheel-drive sedan, the 340i xDrive rates quite well: 21/31 with an automatic, 19/29 with a manual. Some six-cylinder competitors score nearly as well, but none quite match the BMW. For example, the tested Jaguar XE with all-wheel-drive and its mandatory automatic rates 20/29. The BMW's trip computer reported even more impressive real-world averages. In light-footed suburban driving it reported 32 mpg, and on a 70-mph highway it reported 37 mpg in one direction and 34 mpg in the other. see full BMW 3-Series review
 

What Our Members Are Saying about the Real Gas Mileage of the BMW 3-Series

BMW 3-Series Real Gas Mileage: Pros
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2012 4dr Sedan turbocharged 240hp 2.0L I4
8-speed shiftable automatic RWD
The new twin turbo I4 produces great fuel economy and performance. Estimated 36 highway is great for a performance car, I'll report my mpg after I've had it awhile. 3 different drive modes, (economy, comfort, sport) depending on your mood. see full BMW 3-Series review
2010 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
18 - 22 mpg city; 31 mpg on 1600 mile trip to include some city driving, mostly highway. see full BMW 3-Series review
2009 4dr Sedan turbocharged 265hp 3.0L I6 Diesel
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
42 mpg with cruise at 75. 30 mpg+ mix of freeway & town driving. 25 mpg with all in-town driving. see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
better than 20mpg in town, up to 30 on the highway see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 2dr Coupe 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
better than my previous car (Infiniti G35), reasonable mpg for the performance offered see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
averages 25+mpg for a mix of freeway/city driving see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
30 mpg on the highway at 70mph is just fine for a 3500 pound car. see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Very good fuel economy on highway if you allow cruise control to manage speed - 26-29 mpg. In town it drops to 19-21 mpg and if you play boy racer then it'll drop to the 15 mpg area. see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Very good fuel economy on highway if you allow cruise control to manage speed - 26-29 mpg. In town it drops to 19-21 mpg and if you play boy racer then it'll drop to the 15 mpg area. see full BMW 3-Series review
2007 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed manual RWD
Averaging 21 MPG is 70% city/30% freeway driving. On a long road trip I average 29 MPG (includes a few mountain passes and 80 MPH average speed.) see full BMW 3-Series review
BMW 3-Series Real Gas Mileage: Cons
YearBody/PowertrainComment
2010 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
I knew it would drink a lot of premium fuel, but my first day of driving around the city, mostly normally, was less than 15 mpg. I swear, I wasn't pounding the gas pedal either! see full BMW 3-Series review
2010 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
can be better. It depends a lot on driving habits though. Premium fuel adds to the expense. see full BMW 3-Series review
2009 4dr Sedan 414-horsepower 4.0L V8
6-speed manual RWD
Its a 414 hp V8. It drinks a lot. see full BMW 3-Series review
2009 2dr Coupe 414-horsepower 4.0L V8
7-speed automated manual RWD
I only get 18. This car should get more like 23, much like a vette or cts. see full BMW 3-Series review
2009 4dr Sedan 414-horsepower 4.0L V8
6-speed manual RWD
M3 averages 16.6 mpg. Spirited driving brings it to single digits. There is hardly any need for that, given the recent engine advances. see full BMW 3-Series review
2009 2dr Coupe 414-horsepower 4.0L V8
6-speed manual RWD
16 mpg for light city/highway driving. 16 gallon fuel tank limits range to about 300 miles for typical owners (assuming you run the tank dry). see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Wagon 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Less than the A3. Though the base 328i has a larger 6 cylinder engine while the A3 is a 4 cylinder turbo. 328i is also larger and heavier. It is more closer toa wagon while the A3 is closer to a hatchback. see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
Need to burn a lot of dinosaurs if you have a lead foot like me. see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 4dr Sedan 230-horsepower 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic AWD
I average 20-22 mpg. getting expensive to run the car. I wish it was in the mid 20s, but 6 cyl and awd I guess it could be worse. and its not direct injection engine (reminds me to buy the injector cleaner stuff!) see full BMW 3-Series review
2008 2dr Hardtop conv. turbocharged 300hp 3.0L I6
6-speed shiftable automatic RWD
press the gas watch the fuel go down see full BMW 3-Series review
 

2000 BMW 3-Series Gas Mileage (MPG)

Unlike other fuel economy surveys, TrueDelta's Real-World Gas Mileage Survey includes questions about how and where a car was driven. So you can get an idea of the BMW 3-Series's real-world MPG based on how and where you drive a car.