Against 312 other V8 cars rated 2003–2005, the 545i beats their 15.5 mpg average by 3.5 mpg, about $456 a year.
Every BMW 545i engine, compared
The BMW 545i 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 16 / 24 | 2004–2005 | $2,021 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Hyundai Elantra gets 26 mpg, the Nissan Altima 22.3 mpg and the Acura TL 21 mpg, next to 19 mpg for the 2005 545i. The 545i costs the most of them to run: $544 a year more than the Hyundai Elantra.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2005) | $0.168 |
| Fuel per year | $2,021 |
| Fuel over five years | $10,105 |
| Against other V8 cars, 2003–2005 | −$456 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $4,050 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2005 BMW 545i gives up 8 mpg in town: 24 on the highway against 16 in the city, $800 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2005) | 16 mpg | $2,400 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24 mpg | $1,600 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (50%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 545i changed over the years
Combined figure across the 2 model years the 545i was rated in, all of them at 19 mpg.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 2004 | 16 / 24 | 1 | $2,021 |
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 545i — 1 engine across 2004–2005. 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 $4,050. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2005 BMW 545i get?
19 mpg combined, 16 city and 24 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2004 the 545i has averaged 19 mpg.
Is the 2005 545i more efficient than the 2004?
About the same: 19 against 19 mpg combined.
Does the 545i get better gas mileage than the Hyundai Elantra?
No: 19 mpg for the 2005 545i against 26 for the 2006 Hyundai Elantra, about $544 a year more to run.
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