BMW Series 3 MPG by Year & Engine (EPA)
EPA fuel-economy ratings for every rated BMW Series 3 model year from 1984 to 1988 — each engine and transmission with its official city, highway and combined figures. Over these years the Series 3 has been offered with 2.7L 6-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl, 1.8L 4-cyl engines; the most efficient version is the 1984 (up to 24 MPG combined). Data: U.S. Department of Energy & EPA, fueleconomy.gov; prices are live medians from VehiSales listings.
BMW Series 3 fuel economy by year
| Year | Combined | Engines | Median used price | For sale |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 18–20 MPG | 2.7L 6-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl | — | — |
| 1987 | 18–21 MPG | 2.7L 6-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl | — | — |
| 1986 | 20–21 MPG | 2.7L 6-cyl | — | — |
| 1985 | 21–23 MPG | 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl | — | — |
| 1984 | 20–24 MPG | 1.8L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl | — | — |
1988 BMW Series 3: engines & MPG
The 1988 Series 3 was EPA-rated in 7 versions (2.7L 6-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl), with combined economy from 18 to 20 MPG.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Fuel | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Series | 2.7L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Regular | 18 | 24 | 20 MPG |
| 3 Series | 2.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 18 | 22 | 19 MPG |
| 3 Series | 2.5L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Regular | 16 | 22 | 18 MPG |
| 3 Series | 2.5L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Regular | 15 | 22 | 18 MPG |
| 3 Series | 2.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 16 | 21 | 18 MPG |
| 3 Series | 2.3L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Premium | 15 | 26 | 18 MPG |
| 3 Series | 2.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 17 | 21 | 18 MPG |
1987 BMW Series 3: engines & MPG
The 1987 Series 3 was EPA-rated in 4 versions (2.7L 6-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 18 to 21 MPG.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Fuel | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Series | 2.7L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Regular | 19 | 26 | 21 MPG |
| 3 Series | 2.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 18 | 25 | 20 MPG |
| 3 Series | 2.5L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Regular | 16 | 22 | 18 MPG |
| 3 Series | 2.5L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 16 | 21 | 18 MPG |
1986 BMW Series 3: engines & MPG
The 1986 Series 3 was EPA-rated in 2 versions (2.7L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 20 to 21 MPG.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Fuel | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Series | 2.7L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Regular | 19 | 26 | 21 MPG |
| 3 Series | 2.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 18 | 25 | 20 MPG |
1985 BMW Series 3: engines & MPG
The 1985 Series 3 was EPA-rated in 4 versions (1.8L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 21 to 23 MPG.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Fuel | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Series | 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Regular | 21 | 26 | 23 MPG |
| 3 Series | 2.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 18 | 25 | 21 MPG |
| 3 Series | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 19 | 24 | 21 MPG |
| 3 Series | 2.7L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Regular | 19 | 26 | 21 MPG |
1984 BMW Series 3: engines & MPG
The 1984 Series 3 was EPA-rated in 4 versions (1.8L 4-cyl, 2.7L 6-cyl), with combined economy from 20 to 24 MPG.
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Fuel | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 Series | 1.8L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Regular | 21 | 27 | 24 MPG |
| 3 Series | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic 3-spd | Regular | 21 | 24 | 23 MPG |
| 3 Series | 2.7L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Regular | 18 | 26 | 21 MPG |
| 3 Series | 2.7L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Regular | 18 | 25 | 20 MPG |
Frequently asked questions
What MPG does a BMW Series 3 get?
Depending on year and engine, EPA combined ratings for the Series 3 range from 20 to 24 MPG. The most efficient rated version is the 1984 model year.
What engines does the 1988 BMW Series 3 have?
The 1988 Series 3 was EPA-rated with 2.7L 6-cyl, 2.5L 6-cyl, 2.3L 4-cyl engines — see the 1988 table above for each version's exact city/highway figures.
Does the BMW Series 3 require premium gas?
Some versions do: EPA lists regular gasoline and premium gasoline depending on year and engine — check your year's table above.
https://vehisales.com/research/fuel-economy/bmw/series-3.
Fuel economy of other models
BMW X3 MPG by year · BMW X5 MPG by year
See also: BMW Series 3 hub — live listings, prices & reliability · Most fuel-efficient cars by segment · Model price trends. Media inquiries: [email protected].