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120dDieselvs218iPetrol
  • MotorwayMotorwayRange and charging
  • PerformancePerformance0-100, top speed
  • ConsumptionConsumptionYearly cost
  • Specs120d · 218i

BMW 120d xDrive F20LCI vs BMW 218i F44: which is cheaper to run?

What each kilometre costs, depending on your driving profile and how you charge. Annual projection and cumulative savings over 10 years.

compact · 2018 vs 2019 · 15,000 km/an · Mixed · Diesel 2.38 €/L · Petrol 95 2.17 €/L · Methodology
Annual mileage
15,000 km
5,000 km50,000 km
Driving mix

30 % City · 50 % Road · 20 % Motorway

Fuel price
Petrol 95 2.17 €/L · Diesel 2.38 €/Lprix-carburants.gouv.fr — moyenne nationale du 05/10/2026 ; EDF Tarif Bleu Base au 01/08/2026 ; DC autoroute : moyenne des réseaux sans abonnement

Result · yearly energy cost

ABMW 120d xDrive F20LCI

1,910 €per year

5,4 L/100 km weighted · 12.74 € per 100 km · 804 L per year

Gap56 € per yearin favour of the 120d xDrive (−3 %)≈ 26 L petrol 95
BBMW 218i F44

1,966 €per year

6,0 L/100 km weighted · 13.11 € per 100 km · 906 L per year

The verdict changes with your usage
ProfileSplitAA · 120dBB · 218iGap
City70 / 25 / 570 % city · 25 % road · 5 % motorway2,046 €2,249 €203 € · 120d
Mixed30 / 50 / 2030 % city · 50 % road · 20 % motorway1,910 €1,966 €Nearly level
Long-distance10 / 40 / 5010 % city · 40 % road · 50 % motorway1,811 €1,751 €59 € · 218i

Cumulative saving for the 120d xDrive

1 year
56 €
3 years
167 €
5 years
279 €
10 years
557 €

Energy only. Excludes purchase, insurance, servicing, depreciation.

What produces these figures

WLTP combined
5.2 L/100 km · 5.7 L/100 km
Powertrain
Combustion · Combustion
Power
190 ch · 140 ch
Kerb weight
1,495 kg · 1,350 kg

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A3 allstreet vs 218i

gap 26 €/year

Frequently asked questions

On a 100 km mixed trip, the BMW 120d xDrive and BMW 218i have a near-identical cost per km with default parameters. The gap becomes significant once you enter your actual energy prices.

The BMW 120d xDrive is cheaper across all distances with default rates. If your energy prices differ significantly, simulate to see the real impact on your budget.