The BMW 328Ci does 21.7 mpg combined (18.1 city, 27.4 highway), which works out to about $1,770 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3L 6-cyl does 21.8 mpg while 2.8L 6-cyl does 21 — a difference of $68 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every BMW 328Ci engine, compared
Gas mileage on the BMW 328Ci ranges from 21.8 down to 21 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $68 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl | 18.2 / 27.7 | 2007–2012 | $1,761 | |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 18 / 26 | 2000–2000 | $1,829 |
What that actually costs
The BMW 328Ci 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 | $3,543 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW 328Ci gives up 9.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.4 out there against 18.1 in town, a 51% drop worth $721 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 | 18.1 mpg | $2,122 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.4 mpg | $1,401 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.3 mpg (51%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 328Ci changed over the years
The 328Ci peaked in 2011 at 22 mpg (18 city, 28 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2012 at 21 — 1 mpg apart, or $84 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2012 car does 21. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2011 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2010 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2009 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2008 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2007 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2000 | 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 7 EPA ratings of the BMW 328Ci — 2 engines across 2000–2012. 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 $3,543. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW 328Ci get?
21.7 mpg combined on average — 18.1 in the city and 27.4 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2000–2012.
How much does a BMW 328Ci 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 328Ci engine is the most economical?
The 3L 6-cyl at 21.8 mpg, against 21 for the 2.8L 6-cyl — a difference of about $68 a year.
Is the 328Ci 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 328Ci 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 328Ci is $3,543 against the $1,770 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 22 and 21 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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