Makesโ€บBMWโ€บMโ€บ2010

2010 BMW M

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems โ€” with the pros and cons against similar 2010 models.

Class
Subcompact Cars
Engines
4.0L 8-cyl, 5.0L 10-cyl
Drivetrain
Rear-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline
MPG (best)
16 combined ยท 14 city / 20 hwy
Length
โ€“
Curb weight
โ€“
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
0 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • No recalls so far

Watch out for

  • Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 16 MPG combined, 27% below the 2010 subcompact car average of 22 MPG.
  • Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 4 similar 2010 models โ€” not a review. How we calculate this โ†’

Overview

The 2010 BMW M is a subcompact car offered with 2 engines (4.0L 8-cyl and 5.0L 10-cyl) and rear-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 16 MPG combined (14 city / 20 highway), 27% worse than the 2010 subcompact car average of 22 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 a year in fuel.

There are no recalls or owner complaints on file with NHTSA for this model year.

What changed for 2010

No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2009 M โ€” a carry-over year in the data.

Compared with 2009; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2009 M โ†’

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCOโ‚‚ g/mi
M3 Convertible4.0L 8-cylAutomatic (S7)Rear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-27%$5,150555
M3 Coupe4.0L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-27%$5,150555
M3 Coupe4.0L 8-cylAutomatic (S7)Rear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-27%$5,150555
M34.0L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-32%$5,150555
M34.0L 8-cylAutomatic (S7)Rear-Wheel Drive14 / 20 / 16-32%$5,150555
M3 Convertible4.0L 8-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive13 / 20 / 16-27%$5,150555
M65.0L 10-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive11 / 17 / 13-41%$6,300684
M65.0L 10-cylAutomatic (S7)Rear-Wheel Drive11 / 17 / 13-41%$6,300684
M6 Convertible5.0L 10-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive11 / 17 / 13-41%$6,300684
M6 Convertible5.0L 10-cylAutomatic (S7)Rear-Wheel Drive11 / 17 / 13-41%$6,300684
M55.0L 10-cylManual 6-spdRear-Wheel Drive11 / 17 / 13-41%$6,300684
M55.0L 10-cylAutomatic (S7)Rear-Wheel Drive11 / 17 / 13-41%$6,300684
Spend $13,750Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
22 MPG2010 Subcompact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2010 EPA class average. How we calculate this โ†’

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2010 BMW M under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2010 subcompact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2010 BMW M (this car)16 MPGNot rated0
2010 Maserati GranTurismo15 MPGNot rated1
2010 BMW 6 Series18 MPGNot rated2
2010 Audi S520 MPGNot rated2
2010 Lexus IS F18 MPGNot rated5

Recalls (0)

No vehicle recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2010 BMW M.

Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA โ†—

Not every 2010 BMW M is affected โ€” only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

No owner complaints for the 2010 BMW M in NHTSA's database since 2015.

Used 2010 BMW M buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. No recalls on file, but check anyway.
  2. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2010 BMW M. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 M19โ€“Not rated00
2026 M19โ€“Not rated00
2025 M19โ€“Not rated00
2024 M19โ€“Not rated00
2023 M19โ€“Not rated00
2022 M19โ€“Not rated00
2021 M26โ€“Not rated00
2020 M25โ€“Not rated00
2019 M24โ€“Not rated00
2018 M22โ€“Not rated00
2017 M22โ€“Not rated00
2016 M22โ€“Not rated00

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or BMW. How we calculate this โ†’