The 2022 BMW M3 Sedan with the 3.0L 6-cylinder engine and manual transmission gets 19 MPG combined. Owners likely know this and accept it as part of owning a very capable sports sedan. This isn’t a car bought for fuel efficiency. It’s purchased for the fun of driving, the precise handling, and the power available. M3 buyers want performance and understand that fuel consumption comes with it. They enjoy the connection to the car, the manual gearbox, and the sound of the performance-tuned inline-six engine.

City and highway performance

The EPA estimates the 2022 M3’s fuel economy at 16 MPG in the city and 23 MPG on the highway. The city number reflects urban driving, where the M3’s powerful engine accelerates and decelerates often. This number will likely be lower in traffic or if the driver likes to use the engine’s responsiveness. The highway rating is better, but still behind more efficient vehicles. Driving at a steady speed will get you closer to the EPA estimate, but it’s tempting to use the M3’s power for passing and enjoying the drive, which hurts fuel efficiency.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2022 BMW M3 Sedan at $3,050. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using national average fuel prices. Premium fuel is required for the M3’s engine, so you’ll pay more for octane. Individual driving habits and fuel prices will change the cost, but this is a good benchmark for budgeting. The $3,050 figure is a large expense, showing the M3 is a performance vehicle with running costs to match.

Real-world expectations

The EPA provides a standard, but real-world fuel economy is often lower for the M3. Hard acceleration, frequent gear changes (downshifting for engine braking), and enjoying the car’s performance will lower fuel efficiency. Expect numbers near the low end of the EPA range, or even lower, if you often drive the M3 hard. Driving conservatively on long trips could get you closer to the EPA highway estimate. Check out all Bmw fuel economy data to see estimates for other models.

How it compares

The M3’s fuel economy is in line with other performance sedans. The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio gets a slightly better 20 MPG combined. The Mercedes-AMG C63 S Sedan has similar performance and MPG. Even an Audi RS5 Sportback, with its less powerful engine, gets slightly better numbers. To explore M3 MPG across all years you can follow that link. These comparisons show the relative fuel consumption in this performance class not the most efficient option. M3 buyers usually aren’t considering hybrids; they want performance and not just MPG.

Tips to maximize efficiency

M3 owners might not care about fuel economy, but these tips can subtly improve gas mileage without losing too much driving fun. Change gears smoothly, avoiding unnecessary revving while accelerating. The M3’s engine has plenty of power at low RPMs, so you don’t need to push it to the redline in every gear.

Anticipate traffic and keep a consistent speed. Limit hard acceleration and braking, as these use a lot of fuel. Using cruise control on the highway can help regulate speed and improve fuel efficiency on long trips.

Make sure the tires are properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, which reduces fuel economy. Check your tire pressure often and inflate them to the recommended settings on the doorjamb sticker.

Reduce weight in the car. Removing unnecessary items from the trunk and passenger area can lighten the load and improve fuel efficiency a little. Every bit helps.

Consider using the M3’s driving modes. Selecting a more fuel-efficient mode can change the engine mapping and throttle response, focusing on efficiency more than performance. This might change the car’s character a bit, but it can save fuel, especially in city driving.