The BMW 128i does 22 mpg combined (18.3 city, 27.8 highway), which works out to about $1,745 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
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
The BMW 128i burns a gallon every 22 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 545 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.145 |
| Fuel per year | $1,745 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,725 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$185 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,500 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW 128i gives up 9.5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.8 out there against 18.3 in town, a 52% drop worth $717 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 18.3 mpg | $2,098 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.8 mpg | $1,381 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.5 mpg (52%) | 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. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| 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.
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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 BMW 128i get?
22 mpg combined on average — 18.3 in the city and 27.8 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2008–2013.
How much does a BMW 128i cost in fuel per year?
About $1,745 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,725 over five years, or 0.145 dollars a mile.
Which 128i engine is the most economical?
The 3L 6-cyl at 22 mpg.
Is the 128i good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world 128i figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the BMW 128i is $3,500 against the $1,745 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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