Against 417 other V6 cars rated 2011–2013, the 128i beats their 20.8 mpg average by 1.2 mpg, about $101 a year.
Every BMW 128i engine, compared
The BMW 128i was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl | 18.3 / 27.8 | 2008–2013 | $1,745 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Honda Civic gets 38.5 mpg, the Nissan Sentra 31.7 mpg and the Volkswagen Beetle 27.3 mpg, next to 22 mpg for the 2013 128i. The 128i costs the most of them to run: $748 a year more than the Honda Civic.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2013) | $0.145 |
| Fuel per year | $1,745 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,725 |
| Against other V6 cars, 2011–2013 | −$101 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,500 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2013 BMW 128i gives up 9 mpg in town: 28 on the highway against 19 in the city, $650 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2013) | 19 mpg | $2,021 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 28 mpg | $1,371 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9 mpg (47%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 128i changed over the years
Combined figure across the 6 model years the 128i was rated in, all of them at 22 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2012 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2011 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2010 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2009 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2008 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the BMW 128i — 1 engine across 2008–2013. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,500. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2013 BMW 128i get?
22 mpg combined, 19 city and 28 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2008 the 128i has averaged 22 mpg.
Is the 2013 128i more efficient than the 2012?
About the same: 22 against 22 mpg combined.
Does the 128i get better gas mileage than the Honda Civic?
No: 22 mpg for the 2013 128i against 38.5 for the 2014 Honda Civic, about $748 a year more to run.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.