The BMW 318i does 22.8 mpg combined (19.4 city, 28.1 highway), which works out to about $1,684 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 1.9L 4-cyl does 23.7 mpg while 1.8L 4-cyl does 22.2 — a difference of $110 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every BMW 318i engine, compared
Gas mileage on the BMW 318i ranges from 23.7 down to 22.2 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $110 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 20 / 29 | 1996–1998 | $1,620 | |
| 1.8L 4-cyl | 19 / 27.6 | 1991–1995 | $1,730 |
What that actually costs
The BMW 318i burns a gallon every 22.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 526 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.140 |
| Fuel per year | $1,684 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,420 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$190 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,313 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW 318i gives up 8.7 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 28.1 out there against 19.4 in town, a 45% drop worth $612 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 | 19.4 mpg | $1,979 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 28.1 mpg | $1,367 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.7 mpg (45%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 318i changed over the years
The 318i peaked in 1998 at 24 mpg (20 city, 29 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1991 at 21 — 3 mpg apart, or $229 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 1998 car does 24. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 20 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1997 | 20 / 29 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 1996 | 20 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1995 | 19 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1994 | 19 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 1993 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1992 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1991 | 19 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 8 EPA ratings of the BMW 318i — 2 engines across 1991–1998. 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 $3,313. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW 318i get?
22.8 mpg combined on average — 19.4 in the city and 28.1 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1991–1998.
How much does a BMW 318i cost in fuel per year?
About $1,684 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,420 over five years, or 0.140 dollars a mile.
Which 318i engine is the most economical?
The 1.9L 4-cyl at 23.7 mpg, against 22.2 for the 1.8L 4-cyl — a difference of about $110 a year.
Is the 318i good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world 318i 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 318i is $3,313 against the $1,684 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 24 and 21 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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