BMW 318i Convertible MPG by year — every rating on record
The BMW 318i Convertible has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 1992 to 1997. Across those years its best rated version returned 23 mpg (1996) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (1992). The EPA record holds 10 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Minicompact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #44 of 69 (37th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 1994 | 2 | 22 mpg | 21 mpg | #3 of 12 (82th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars |
| 1995 | 2 | 22 mpg | 21 mpg | #2 of 12 (91th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars |
| 1996 | 2 | 23 mpg | 22 mpg | #2 of 11 (90th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars |
| 1997 | 3 | 23 mpg | 22 mpg | #4 of 13 (75th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW 318i Convertible placed highest in 1995 at #2 of 12, and lowest in 1992 at #44 of 69. It spent 4 of its 5 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 10 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 1.9L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (FFS) | 19 | 28 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $3,500 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1997 | 1.9L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | (FFS) | 20 | 29 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $3,350 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1997 | 1.9L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | (FFS) | 20 | 28 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $3,350 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1996 | 1.9L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (FFS) | 19 | 28 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $3,500 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1996 | 1.9L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | (FFS) | 20 | 29 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $3,350 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 1995 | 1.8L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (FFS) | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1995 | 1.8L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | (FFS) | 19 | 29 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $3,500 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1994 | 1.8L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (FFS) | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1994 | 1.8L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | (FFS) | 19 | 29 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $3,500 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1992 | 1.8L 4-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | (FFS) (MPFI) | 18 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 2 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 → 1994 | 20 → 22 mpg | +2 mpg | 523 gal |
| 1995 → 1996 | 22 → 23 mpg | +1 mpg | 500 gal |
What 318i Convertible fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1997 BMW 318i Convertible burns 500 to 523 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,500 | $1,568 | $68 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,750 | $1,830 | $80 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,000 | $2,091 | $91 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1997 model year is $3,350 to $3,500 a year in fuel, or $6,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Minicompact Cars
Across the 153 nameplates EPA classifies as Minicompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 23 mpg the BMW 318i Convertible is 2 mpg better the median, which is worth about $167 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Minicompact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other BMW nameplates
Every BMW model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.