The BMW M550i does 19.8 mpg combined (17.2 city, 25 highway), which works out to about $1,939 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every BMW M550i engine, compared
The BMW M550i 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 | 17.2 / 25 | 2018–2023 | $1,939 |
What that actually costs
The BMW M550i burns a gallon every 19.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 606 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.162 |
| Fuel per year | $1,939 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,695 |
| Against other V8 cars | −$446 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,883 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW M550i gives up 7.8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 25 out there against 17.2 in town, a 45% drop worth $697 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 | 17.2 mpg | $2,233 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 25 mpg | $1,536 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.8 mpg (45%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the M550i changed over the years
The M550i peaked in 2023 at 20 mpg (17 city, 25 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2018 at 19 — 1 mpg apart, or $101 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2023 car does 20. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2022 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2021 | 17 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2020 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2019 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2018 | 16 / 25 | 1 | $2,021 |
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 M550i — 1 engine across 2018–2023. 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 $3,883. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW M550i get?
19.8 mpg combined on average — 17.2 in the city and 25 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2018–2023.
How much does a BMW M550i cost in fuel per year?
About $1,939 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,695 over five years, or 0.162 dollars a mile.
Which M550i engine is the most economical?
The 4.4L 8-cyl at 19.8 mpg.
Is the M550i good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits above the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world M550i 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 M550i is $3,883 against the $1,939 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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