Tank Ledger

BMW 325ci Convertible MPG by year — every rating on record

The BMW 325ci Convertible has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 2001 to 2006. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (2004) and its thirstiest returned 19 mpg (2001). The EPA record holds 13 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Minicompact Cars.

21best combined mpg (2004)
19worst combined mpg (2001)
20latest year best (2006)
13configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2001220 mpg19 mpg#4 of 12 (73th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars
2002219 mpg19 mpg#6 of 16 (67th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars
2003220 mpg19 mpg#7 of 26 (76th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars
2004321 mpg19 mpg#7 of 26 (76th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars
2005220 mpg19 mpg#9 of 34 (76th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars
2006220 mpg19 mpg#8 of 24 (70th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW 325ci Convertible placed highest in 2001 at #4 of 12, and lowest in 2005 at #9 of 34. It spent 6 of its 6 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 13 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20062.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium2.5L 6-cyl162419605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20062.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl172520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20052.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium2.5L 6-cyl162419605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20052.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl172520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20042.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium2.5L 6-cyl162419605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20042.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl172520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20042.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium2.5L 6-cyl182621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20032.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl172419605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20032.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium2.5L 6-cyl172420575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20022.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl172419605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20022.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium2.5L 6-cyl172419605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20012.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl172419605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
20012.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl172420575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 2 of 4 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2001 → 200220 → 19 mpg-1 mpg605 gal
2002 → 200319 → 20 mpg+1 mpg575 gal
2003 → 200420 → 21 mpg+1 mpg548 gal
2004 → 200521 → 20 mpg-1 mpg575 gal

What 325ci Convertible fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2006 BMW 325ci Convertible burns 575 to 605 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 priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$1,725$1,816$91
$3.50/gal$2,013$2,118$106
$4.00/gal$2,300$2,421$121

EPA’s own estimate for the 2006 model year is $3,900 to $4,100 a year in fuel, or $8,250 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 20 mpg the BMW 325ci Convertible is 1 mpg below the median, which is worth about $96 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other BMW nameplates

Every BMW model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.