26/100
1991Compact CarsPremium

1991 BMW M5

EPA ID: 7749
10
City MPG
13
Combined MPG
13MPG· Below Avg
19
Highway MPG

Fuel Economy Overview

The 1991 BMW M5 achieves an EPA-estimated 13 MPG in combined city and highway driving, with 10 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway. Powered by a 3.5L 6-cylinder engine paired with a manual 5-spd, this compact cars features Rear-Wheel Drive drive.

In terms of environmental impact, the 1991 M5 produces approximately 684 grams of CO2 per mile. This figure is measured under standardized EPA test conditions and represents tailpipe emissions only. For context, the average new vehicle sold in the United States produces approximately 400 grams of CO2 per mile, meaning this M5 has higher-than-average emissions in this regard.

The estimated annual fuel cost for this vehicle is $5,300, based on 15,000 miles of driving per year and current national average fuel prices. Compared to the average new vehicle, you would save $15,750 over a 5-year period. This calculation accounts for differences in fuel consumption efficiency and provides a practical measure of long-term ownership costs attributable to fuel economy.

Energy DNA

Vehicle ClassCompact Cars
Fuel TypePremium
Engine3.5L 6-cyl
AspirationNaturally Aspirated
TransmissionManual 5-spd
Drive TypeRear-Wheel Drive

Green Scorecard

CO2 Emissions684 g/mi
Start-Stop SystemNot Equipped
GHG Score-1/10
Smog RatingN/A
Est. Annual Cost$5,300
5-Year Cost DeltaSave $15,750

Personalized Commute CalculatorEPA defaults to 55% City / 45% Hwy

55% City45% Highway

Adjust the slider to match your daily driving habits. City driving involves stop-and-go traffic under 45mph, while highway driving represents sustained speeds over 55mph.

Your Real MPG
12.7
Impact vs EPA
+$92
/ year
💨

Aerodynamic Speed Penalty

EPA highway tests average roughly 48 mph. Driving at 75 mph increases aerodynamic drag exponentially. Expect your real-world highway fuel economy to drop by roughly 15-20% at interstate speeds.

5-Year Total Cost of Ownership

Estimated Monthly Cost
$834/mo
Includes estimated depreciation, fuel, insurance, and state fees over 5 years. Does not include loan interest.
15,000 mi
Value Depreciation
Est. value lost over 60 months
$19,600
39.2%
Fuel & Electricity
Based on National Average rates ($3.50/gal)
$20,192
40.3%
Estimated Insurance
Based on vehicle class risk profile
$9,860
19.7%
State Registration Fees
Based on National Average DMV base rates
$400
0.8%
Total 5-Year Cost$50,052

Recall Intelligence

Campaign #98V178000·1999-03-31
moderate
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM PRESSURE. IF THE INDICATIONS OF A CRITICAL OVERHEATING CONDITION IS NOT NOTICED BY THE DRIVER, IT IS POSSIBLE THAT DAMAGE TO, OR FAILURE OF, A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT COULD OCCUR.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: IF A CRACK WERE TO FORM OR A SEAM WERE TO SEPARATE IN THE HEATER CORE END PIECE, HOT COOLANT COULD SUDDENLY BE EXPELLED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY TO A VEHICLE OCCUPANT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.

Campaign #96V110000·1996-09-30
moderate
Component: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE CONTACT RING WIRING COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK. THE AIR BAG READINESS INDICATOR LAMP (SRS OR AIRBAG) IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER WILL ILLUMINATE, AND THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A FRONTAL IMPACT VEHICLE COLLISION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.

Campaign #90V204000·1991-04-01
advisory
Component: WHEELS:HUB

SCREWS THAT ATTACH WHEEL COVERS ON ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEELS WERE NOT FULLY TORQUED AND MAY GRADUALLY LOOSEN AND SEPARATE FROM WHEELS UNDER EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Consequence & Remedy

Consequence: WHEEL COVERS COULD SEPARATE FROM WHEELS; THIS COULDPRESENT A HAZARD TO OTHER VEHICLES AND PEDESTRIANS IN VICINITY OF OCCURRENCE.

Remedy: APPLY "LOCTITE 242 (BLUE) TO THE WHEEL COVER ATTACHING SCREWS TO PREVENT SCREWS FROM LOOSENING.

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Looking for comprehensive historical data?

NHTSA FARS (Fatal Crash History) and broader generational safety trends are aggregated at the model level rather than by specific engine configurations. View the complete historical data profile for all BMW M5 configurations.

View Model History

Similar 1991 Compact Cars Alternatives

Fuel Cost Analysis

Annual Fuel Cost$5,300
vs. Avg Vehicle (5 yrs)Save $15,750

Based on 15,000 miles/year and current fuel prices.

Efficiency Breakdown

City10 MPG
Highway19 MPG
Combined13 MPG

Estimated Lifetime Carbon Footprint

(Based on 200,000 miles driven)

136.7 metric tons CO₂
Equivalent To:
🌳 169 tree seedlings grown for 10 yrs
✈️ 11.4 cross-country flights/yr

Data Provenance

Data directly from the EPA National Vehicle and Fuel Emissions Laboratory. The combined rating is a weighted average (55% city, 45% highway). For official figures, visit fueleconomy.gov.