- Newest year: 2006
- Gas
- Small cars
2002-2006 BMW M MPG & Fuel Cost
5 model years · 13–17 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 1 of 10 small car configurations, MY2006. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2002-2006 BMW M at a glance
The 2002-2006 BMW M covers 5 model years in the EPA database (22 configurations in all), rated 13–17 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2006, costs about $4,730 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the M3 Convertible 3.2L 6-cyl RWD (17 MPG), at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2003, 2004 and 2006; 2005 repeat the values of the year before.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2002-2006 BMW M by model year
| Model year | Powertrains | Combined | $/yr | EPA ratings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | Gas | 13–17 MPG | $4,730–$6,180 | Ratings changed |
| 2005 | Gas | 16–17 MPG | $4,730–$5,020 | Same EPA ratings as 2004 |
| 2004 | Gas | 16–17 MPG | $4,730–$5,020 | Ratings changed |
| 2003 | Gas | 15–17 MPG | $4,730–$5,360 | Ratings changed |
| 2002 | Gas | 15–17 MPG | $4,730–$5,360 | First year |
What the 2006 M3 Convertible 3.2L 6-cyl RWD costs to drive
Per month
$394
$4,730 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$7.88
Per 100 miles
$31.53
Five years
$23,650
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small car median
$1,080more a year
Class median $3,650 a year, MY2006
Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2006 BMW M MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2005: The most efficient configuration stays at 17 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,730.
Gas configurations (6)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3 Convertible 3.2L 6-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd (Most efficient) | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 21 | 17 | $4,730 |
| M3 3.2L 6-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 22 | 17 | $4,730 |
| M3 3.2L 6-cyl RWD Automatic (S6) | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 21 | 17 | $4,730 |
| M3 Convertible 3.2L 6-cyl RWD Automatic (S6) | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 20 | 16 | $5,020 |
| M5 | 5.0L 10-cyl | RWD | 11 | 17 | 13 | $6,180 |
| M6 | 5.0L 10-cyl | RWD | 11 | 17 | 13 | $6,180 |
6 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2005 BMW M MPG
Same EPA ratings as 2004
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2005 BMW M as for the 2004 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2004 section above.See 2004
2004 BMW M MPG
16–17 MPG · $4,730–$5,020/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2003: The most efficient configuration stays at 17 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,730.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3 Convertible 3.2L 6-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd (Most efficient) | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 21 | 17 | $4,730 |
| M3 3.2L 6-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 22 | 17 | $4,730 |
| M3 3.2L 6-cyl RWD Automatic (S6) | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 21 | 17 | $4,730 |
| M3 Convertible 3.2L 6-cyl RWD Automatic (S6) | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 20 | 16 | $5,020 |
4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2003 BMW M MPG
15–17 MPG · $4,730–$5,360/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2002: The most efficient configuration stays at 17 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,730.
Gas configurations (5)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3 Convertible 3.2L 6-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd (Most efficient) | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 21 | 17 | $4,730 |
| M3 3.2L 6-cyl RWD Manual 6-spd | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 22 | 17 | $4,730 |
| M3 3.2L 6-cyl RWD Automatic (S6) | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 21 | 17 | $4,730 |
| M3 Convertible 3.2L 6-cyl RWD Automatic (S6) | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 20 | 16 | $5,020 |
| M5 | 4.9L 8-cyl | RWD | 12 | 19 | 15 | $5,360 |
5 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2002 BMW M MPG
15–17 MPG · $4,730–$5,360/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (3)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M3 (Most efficient) | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 15 | 21 | 17 | $4,730 |
| M3 Convertible | 3.2L 6-cyl | RWD | 14 | 20 | 16 | $5,020 |
| M5 | 4.9L 8-cyl | RWD | 12 | 19 | 15 | $5,360 |
3 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the M3 Convertible 3.2L 6-cyl RWD: $5,640 in California and $4,100 in Texas, a $1,540 difference.
- California $5,640
- Washington $5,300
- New York $4,670
- Florida $4,320
- Texas $4,100
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2006 small car models.
Generations
- 2000-2001
- 2002-2006
- 2007-2012
- 2013-2014
- 2015-2021
- 2022-2027*
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2002-2006 BMW M get?
EPA rates the 2002-2006 BMW M at 13–17 MPG combined across 22 configurations and 5 model years. The most efficient version, the 2006 M3 Convertible 3.2L 6-cyl RWD, is rated 17 MPG (14 city, 21 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2002-2006 BMW M?
Every model year of the 2002-2006 BMW M tops out at 17 MPG combined, so no year is better than another.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2002-2006 BMW M?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2003, 2004 and 2006. In 2005 the values repeat the year before.
How does the 2002-2006 BMW M compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2000-2001 BMW M) is rated 15–19 MPG combined and costs $4,230–$5,360 a year to fuel; the 2002-2006 model is rated 13–17 MPG and costs $4,730–$6,180 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 BMW M per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the M3 Convertible 3.2L 6-cyl RWD costs about $4,730 a year. Across all 6 configurations the cost runs $4,730–$6,180 a year. That is a $1,450 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2006 BMW M 100 miles?
About $31.53 per 100 miles for the M3 Convertible 3.2L 6-cyl RWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $31.53 and $41.20 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2006 BMW M more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The M3 Convertible 3.2L 6-cyl RWD is rated 14 city and 21 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 7 MPG.
How does the 2006 BMW M compare with other small car configurations?
The M3 Convertible 3.2L 6-cyl RWD costs about $4,730 a year to fuel, $1,080 more than the class median of $3,650, and less than 1 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 286 rated small car configurations for MY2006, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2006 BMW M different from the 2005 model?
The most efficient configuration stays at 17 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $4,730. EPA lists 6 configurations for 2006 against 4 configurations for 2005. See the 2005 BMW M for that year.