The BMW 228 does 30.5 mpg combined (26.5 city, 38.5 highway), which works out to about $1,259 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every BMW 228 engine, compared
The BMW 228 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 26.5 / 38.5 | 2025–2026 | $1,259 |
What that actually costs
The BMW 228 burns a gallon every 30.5 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 393 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.105 |
| Fuel per year | $1,259 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,295 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$235 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,525 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW 228 gives up 12 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 38.5 out there against 26.5 in town, a 45% drop worth $452 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 | 26.5 mpg | $1,449 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 38.5 mpg | $997 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +12 mpg (45%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 228 changed over the years
The 228 peaked in 2026 at 31 mpg (27 city, 39 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2025 at 30 — 1 mpg apart, or $41 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2026 car does 31.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 27 / 39 | 1 | $1,239 | |
| 2025 | 26 / 38 | 1 | $1,280 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 2 EPA ratings of the BMW 228 — 1 engine across 2025–2026. 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 $2,525. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW 228 get?
30.5 mpg combined on average — 26.5 in the city and 38.5 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2025–2026.
How much does a BMW 228 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,259 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,295 over five years, or 0.105 dollars a mile.
Which 228 engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 30.5 mpg.
Is the 228 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world 228 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 228 is $2,525 against the $1,259 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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