The BMW 135i does 21.7 mpg combined (19 city, 26.7 highway), which works out to about $1,770 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 135i engine, compared
The BMW 135i 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 | 19 / 26.7 | 2008–2013 | $1,770 |
What that actually costs
The BMW 135i burns a gallon every 21.7 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 553 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.147 |
| Fuel per year | $1,770 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,850 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$160 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,567 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW 135i gives up 7.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 26.7 out there against 19 in town, a 41% drop worth $583 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 | 19 mpg | $2,021 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26.7 mpg | $1,438 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.7 mpg (41%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 135i changed over the years
The 135i peaked in 2013 at 23 mpg (20 city, 28 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2010 at 20 — 3 mpg apart, or $250 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2013 car does 23. 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 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2012 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2011 | 20 / 28 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2010 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2009 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2008 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 |
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 135i — 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 $3,567. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW 135i get?
21.7 mpg combined on average — 19 in the city and 26.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2008–2013.
How much does a BMW 135i cost in fuel per year?
About $1,770 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,850 over five years, or 0.147 dollars a mile.
Which 135i engine is the most economical?
The 3L 6-cyl at 21.7 mpg.
Is the 135i 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 135i 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 135i is $3,567 against the $1,770 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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