BMW 3 Series

19841988 · 26 configurations

Lowest
18
Average
20
Best
24

The BMW 3 Series has been tested by the EPA across 26 different configurations spanning model years 1984 through 1988. Over this period, the 3 Series has achieved combined fuel economy ratings ranging from 18 MPG to 24 MPG, with an overall average of 20 MPG across all engine, transmission, and drivetrain combinations. Below you will find a comprehensive breakdown of every tested configuration, organized by model year. Click any row to view detailed specifications, emissions data, and annual fuel cost estimates for that specific vehicle.

All Configurations

Year Powertrain Annual Cost City Hwy Comb MPGCompare
1988
2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Manual 5-spdPremium
$3,850152618MPG
1988
2.3L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Manual 5-spdPremium
$3,850152618MPG
1988
2.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Automatic 4-spdRegular
$3,300162118MPG
1988
2.5L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Automatic 4-spdRegular
$3,300172118MPG
1988
2.5L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Manual 5-spdRegular
$3,300152218MPG
1988
2.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Manual 5-spdRegular
$3,300162218MPG
1988
2.7L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Automatic 4-spdRegular
$3,150182219MPG
1988
2.7L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Manual 5-spdRegular
$3,000182420MPG
1987
2.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Automatic 4-spdRegular
$3,300162118MPG
1987
2.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Manual 5-spdRegular
$3,300162218MPG
1987
2.7L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Automatic 4-spdRegular
$3,000182520MPG
1987
2.7L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Manual 5-spdRegular
$2,850192621MPG
1986
2.7L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Automatic 4-spdRegular
$3,000182520MPG
1986
2.7L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Manual 5-spdRegular
$2,850192621MPG
1985
1.8L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Automatic 4-spdRegular
$2,850192421MPG
1985
1.8L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Manual 5-spdRegular
$2,600212623MPG
1985
2.7L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Automatic 4-spdRegular
$2,850182521MPG
1985
2.7L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive
Manual 5-spdRegular
$2,850192621MPG
1984
1.8L 4-cyl
Automatic 3-spdRegular
$2,600212423MPG
1984
1.8L 4-cyl
Manual 5-spdRegular
$2,500212724MPG
1984
2.7L 6-cyl
Automatic 4-spdRegular
$3,000182520MPG
1984
2.7L 6-cyl
Manual 5-spdRegular
$2,850182621MPG
1984
1.8L 4-cyl
Automatic 3-spdRegular
$2,600212423MPG
1984
1.8L 4-cyl
Manual 5-spdRegular
$2,500212724MPG
1984
2.7L 6-cyl
Automatic 4-spdRegular
$3,000182520MPG
1984
2.7L 6-cyl
Manual 5-spdRegular
$2,850182621MPG

Historical Efficiency

1988
20
1987
21
1986
21
1985
23
1984
24

Safety Rating History

NHTSA typically tests the base platform of a vehicle and does not test every specific trim level. This specific configuration (3 Series) has not been independently rated.

Complaint & Incident History

The data below represents all official consumer complaints reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the BMW 3 Series. Click on any year to drill down and read the unedited, raw problem narratives submitted directly by vehicle owners.

Fatal Crash History (FARS)

The Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) is a nationwide census providing NHTSA, Congress and the American public yearly data regarding fatal injuries suffered in motor vehicle traffic crashes. The data below represents historical totals for the BMW BMW 3-series grouping as reported by the NHTSA.

Total Fatal Crashes
13
Total Deaths
9

Incident Risk Profile

Rollover Rate
7.7%
Fire Occurrence
15.4%
Speeding Involved
0.0%
DUI Involved
23.1%
Primary Impact Zone

Breakdown of the initial point of impact across all fatal collisions involving this model.

78%
Front
11%
Side
11%
Rear

Year-by-Year Trend & Severity

2021
Fatal Crashes2
Fatalities
1
Deaths/Crash
0.50
2020
Fatal Crashes1
Fatalities
1
Deaths/Crash
1.00
2019
Fatal Crashes2
Fatalities
1
Deaths/Crash
0.50
2018
Fatal Crashes1
Fatalities
1
Deaths/Crash
1.00
2017
Fatal Crashes1
Fatalities
0
Deaths/Crash
0.00
2016
Fatal Crashes1
Fatalities
0
Deaths/Crash
0.00
2015
Fatal Crashes2
Fatalities
2
Deaths/Crash
1.00
2014
Fatal Crashes3
Fatalities
3
Deaths/Crash
1.00