BMW M3 MPG by Year
Here's the official EPA BMW M3 MPG for every model year from 1989 to 2027.
M3 MPG by Year and Version
The EPA has rated 97 configurations of the M3. Pick a year to see each engine and drivetrain.
M3 MPG Over the Years
Each bar shows the range of combined MPG across every M3 configuration the EPA rated that year, from the thirstiest version to the most efficient. Hover or tap a year to see the numbers.
Years When M3 Fuel Economy Changed
Most years look a lot like the one before. These are the years where the EPA numbers moved in a way that matters if you're shopping for a used M3.
- 2022: All-wheel drive becomes available. The best all-wheel drive version is rated at 18 MPG combined.
How the M3 Compares
The EPA rated 16 compact cars for 2026. The best M3 version, at 19 MPG combined, ranks 15th of 16. Combined ratings in the class run from 12 to 50 MPG, with a median of 30. Plug-in hybrids and electric models are ranked separately.
| Rank | Model | Combined |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Corolla | 50 MPG |
| 2 | Lexus UX | 43 MPG |
| 3 | Volkswagen Jetta | 34 MPG |
| 4 | MINI Cooper | 32 MPG |
| 5 | BMW 2 Series | 31 MPG |
| 15 | BMW M3 | 19 MPG |
What Does a M3 Cost to Fuel?
Pick a M3, then enter your gas price and how much you drive. The math uses the EPA city and highway ratings, weighted by how much of your driving happens in each.
M3 MPG Questions
Which M3 year gets the best gas mileage?
The 1996 to 1998 M3 holds the top EPA rating at 21 MPG combined (18 city, 26 highway). Among 2026 models, the M3 Sedan is rated at 19 MPG combined.
Does all-wheel drive hurt M3 fuel economy?
A little. On the 2027 M3, the best rear-wheel drive version is rated at 19 MPG combined and the best all-wheel drive version at 18 MPG.
Why doesn't my M3 match the EPA numbers?
EPA ratings come from standardized lab tests so every car is measured the same way. Your results depend on speed, climate, idling, cargo, tire pressure and upkeep. The ratings are best for comparing one car against another. To track your own numbers, try the MPG calculator.
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Where These Numbers Come From
This page was built by Cedrick Reese from the U.S. EPA fuel economy dataset on fueleconomy.gov, which holds 97 ratings for the BMW M3 from 1989 to 2027. Each row in the table links to the matching EPA vehicle record, so you can check any figure against the source. Ratings from before 2008 use the EPA's revised estimates, which put older vehicles on the same scale as newer ones. The page is rebuilt whenever the EPA publishes an updated file, which picks up new model years and any rating corrections. The cost calculator uses the gas price you enter rather than a national average, so the result fits where you live.
Ratings on this page come from the EPA file downloaded on October 1, 2026.
Sources
- Download Fuel Economy Data, fueleconomy.gov, U.S. DOE and EPA
- Vehicle data field definitions, including the revised 1984-2007 estimates, fueleconomy.gov
- Factors that affect fuel economy, fueleconomy.gov