BMW 5 Series — MPG & Fuel Costs 2025
The ultimate executive car. Extremely comfortable, whisper-quiet on the motorway, and highly economical in diesel form.
The BMW 5 Series is a masterclass in executive motoring, delivering a level of luxury, comfort, and noise insulation that approaches luxury limownes. It is designed to swallow hundreds of motorway miles with zero driver fatigue.
The engine range centers around the highly popular 520d diesel, which features mild-hybrid technology to assist engine load. For petrol buyers, the 520i offers quiet running, while the 530e plug-in hybrid offers low tax rates for company car drivers.
Real-world fuel economy for the 520d is an impressive 49 MPG, offering a range of over 700 miles from the 68-litre tank. It is the perfect long-distance cruiser, providing low fuel costs alongside premium executive style.
TL;DR
36 MPG
Real-world petrol
49 MPG
Real-world diesel
68L
Tank capacity
£93.02
Full tank (petrol)
17.3p
Per mile (petrol)
Real-World Fuel Economy: The BMW 5 Series achieves an estimated 36 MPG (petrol) and 49 MPG (diesel) in real-world UK driving conditions, accounting for a 12% WLTP real-world penalty.
Forecourt Fuel Cost: Refueling the 68-litre tank completely costs approximately £93.02 (petrol) or £96.63 (diesel) at average UK fuel price rates.
Fuel economy at a glance
36
Real-world MPG
Petrol
42.8
Official WLTP
Petrol
49
Real-world MPG
Diesel
57.7
Official WLTP
Diesel
Annual fuel costs by mileage
| Annual mileage | Petrol | Diesel |
|---|---|---|
| 5,000 miles/yr | £864 | £659 |
| 7,400 miles/yr(UK average) | £1278 | £976 |
| 10,000 miles/yr | £1727 | £1318 |
| 15,000 miles/yr | £2591 | £1978 |
| 20,000 miles/yr | £3455 | £2637 |
| Full tank (68L) | £93.02 | £96.63 |
| Cost per mile | 17.3p | 13.2p |
Based on UK average fuel prices: petrol 136.8p/L · diesel 142.1p/L. Prices updated regularly.
How does the 5 Series compare?
Tips to get better MPG from your 5 Series
Use the cruise control extensively on the motorway to let the 8-speed automatic gearbox find its most efficient ratio.
Use the stop-start system to cut fuel consumption when stuck in rush-hour traffic.
Avoid rapid acceleration from rest; the 5 Series is a large car and accelerating it hard consumes considerable fuel.
Is the cheaper petrol station worth it?
In a BMW 5 Series achieving ~36 MPG real-world, if you fill 54 litres and the alternative station is 10p/litre cheaper:
£5.40
Gross saving on fuel
£0.52
Cost of 3-mile detour
£4.88
Net saving ✓
You could drive up to 31 miles round-trip before the saving disappears entirely.
Calculate for your exact situationPopular variants
Frequently asked questions
What is the real-world MPG of the BMW 5 Series?
The BMW 5 Series achieves approximately 36 MPG in real-world petrol driving — around 12% lower than the official WLTP figure of 42.8 MPG due to real driving conditions. Diesel variants achieve around 49 MPG real-world.
How much does it cost to fill a BMW 5 Series?
The BMW 5 Series has a fuel tank of 68 litres. At the UK average of 136.8p/litre for petrol, a full tank costs approximately £93.02. Diesel costs approximately £96.63 for a full tank.
What is the annual fuel cost for a BMW 5 Series?
At the UK average annual mileage of 7,400 miles and current petrol price of 136.8p/litre, a BMW 5 Series costs approximately £1278 per year in fuel. At 10,000 miles/year the cost rises to £1727. Actual costs vary with your driving style and mileage.
Is it worth driving to a cheaper petrol station in a BMW 5 Series?
In a BMW 5 Series doing ~36 MPG real-world, driving 3 miles round-trip to save 10p/litre on a 54-litre fill nets approximately £4.88 after the extra fuel cost. You could drive up to 31 miles before the saving is eaten up. Use the WorthThePump calculator for your exact situation.
How much does the BMW 5 Series cost per mile in fuel?
The BMW 5 Series costs approximately 17.3p per mile in petrol at current UK prices. Over a typical commute of 30 miles per day, that is approximately £5.19 per day in fuel.
What is the WLTP MPG figure for the BMW 5 Series?
The official WLTP fuel economy figure for the BMW 5 Series is 42.8 MPG. However, real-world MPG is typically 10–15% lower than WLTP due to cold starts, air conditioning, motorway speeds, and varying loads. WorthThePump uses a 12% real-world penalty to give a more accurate estimate.
Related guides
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