The BMW M6 does 15.1 mpg combined (13.1 city, 19.7 highway), which works out to about $2,543 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 4.4L 8-cyl does 16.9 mpg while 3.5L 6-cyl does 12 — a difference of $928 a year. Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 16.1 mpg.
Every BMW M6 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the BMW M6 ranges from 16.9 down to 12 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $928 a year across 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.4L 8-cyl | 14.9 / 21.8 | 2012–2019 | $2,272 | |
| 5L 10-cyl | 11 / 17 | 2006–2010 | $2,954 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 9 / 17 | 1989–1989 | $3,200 |
What that actually costs
The BMW M6 burns a gallon every 15.1 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 795 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.212 |
| Fuel per year | $2,543 |
| Fuel over five years | $12,715 |
| Against other V8 cars | +$158 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $5,200 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW M6 gives up 6.6 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 19.7 out there against 13.1 in town, a 50% drop worth $982 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 | 13.1 mpg | $2,931 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 19.7 mpg | $1,949 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.6 mpg (50%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the M6 changed over the years
The M6 peaked in 2019 at 17 mpg (15 city, 22 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1989 at 12 — 5 mpg apart, or $941 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2019 car does 17. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2018 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2017 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2016 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2015 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2014 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2013 | 15 / 22 | 1 | $2,259 | |
| 2012 | 14 / 20 | 1 | $2,400 | |
| 2010 | 11 / 17 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2009 | 11 / 17 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2008 | 11 / 17 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2007 | 11 / 17 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 2006 | 11 / 17 | 1 | $2,954 | |
| 1989 | 9 / 17 | 1 | $3,200 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 14 EPA ratings of the BMW M6 — 3 engines across 1989–2019. 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 $5,200. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW M6 get?
15.1 mpg combined on average — 13.1 in the city and 19.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1989–2019.
How much does a BMW M6 cost in fuel per year?
About $2,543 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $12,715 over five years, or 0.212 dollars a mile.
Which M6 engine is the most economical?
The 4.4L 8-cyl at 16.9 mpg, against 12 for the 3.5L 6-cyl — a difference of about $928 a year.
Is the M6 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V8 cars it sits below the average of 16.1 mpg, computed across 3323 ratings.
Are these real-world M6 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 M6 is $5,200 against the $2,543 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 17 and 12 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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