BMW 323is MPG by year — every rating on record
The BMW 323is has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 2 model years, from 1998 to 1999. Across those years its best rated version returned 22 mpg (1999) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (1998). The EPA record holds 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 2 | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | #27 of 42 (37th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars |
| 1999 | 2 | 22 mpg | 20 mpg | #20 of 40 (51th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW 323is placed highest in 1999 at #20 of 40, and lowest in 1998 at #27 of 42. It spent 1 of its 2 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 2.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 2.5L 6-cyl | 17 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1999 | 2.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | 2.5L 6-cyl | 18 | 28 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1998 | 2.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 2.5L 6-cyl | 17 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1998 | 2.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | 2.5L 6-cyl | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 → 1999 | 21 → 22 mpg | +1 mpg | 523 gal |
What 323is fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1999 BMW 323is burns 523 to 575 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 | $1,568 | $1,725 | $157 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,830 | $2,013 | $183 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,091 | $2,300 | $209 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 1999 model year is $2,850 to $3,100 a year in fuel, or $4,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Subcompact Cars
Across the 461 nameplates EPA classifies as Subcompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 24 mpg. At 22 mpg the BMW 323is is 2 mpg below the median, which is worth about $152 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Subcompact 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.