2008 BMW M3 MPG & Specs — Real-World vs EPA, All Trims
Every gas trim of this model takes premium.
Is the 2008 BMW M3 good on gas?
At up to 16 MPG combined, the 2008 BMW M3 is worse than average for a Compact Cars — that class averages about 24.1 MPG across 6,481 EPA-tested versions, so it's on the thirsty side for its size.
Real-world MPG vs the EPA number
The EPA figures above come from a standardized dynamometer test, not the open road — real-world MPG typically runs a bit lower depending on your driving, climate and terrain. That's true of every car on this site, old or new.
At today's AAA national average price — $4.68/gal for premium gas as of 2026-07-05 — the most efficient trim runs about $4,388/year (roughly $366/month, about $29.25 per 100 miles) at the EPA's assumed 15,000 miles/year, using an estimated 938 gallons a year. We don't estimate a cost-per-fill since exact tank size isn't in the public EPA dataset, but the per-100-mile figure scales to any tank. Current national average gas prices →
2008 BMW M3 trims & fuel economy
| Trim (engine / transmission) | Fuel | MPG | Fuel/yr (today's price) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0L 8-cyl, 6-spd manual, RWD | PREMIUM | 16 | $4,388 |
| 4.0L 8-cyl, S7 automatic, RWD | PREMIUM | 16 | $4,388 |
2008 BMW M3 specs
What the EPA test-car listings record for this model year — every combination sold is a row in the trims table above.
| Engine options | 4.0L 8-cyl |
| Transmission | 6-spd manual · S7 automatic |
| Drive type | RWD |
| EPA body class | Compact Cars |
| Fuel | Premium |
| Gas guzzler tax | Yes — at least one trim carried the federal guzzler tax |
Other years of the BMW M3
Similar cars (Compact Cars)
Cars that take premium · Cheapest cars to fuel · Where fuel grade depends on the trim · Fuel guides
2 trim(s) · EPA FuelEconomy.gov data retrieved 2026-08-01 · fuel prices AAA national average as of 2026-07-05.