Tank Ledger

BMW 325ci MPG by year — every rating on record

The BMW 325ci has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 6 model years, from 2001 to 2006. Across those years its best rated version returned 22 mpg (2004) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2001). The EPA record holds 13 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

22best combined mpg (2004)
20worst combined mpg (2001)
21latest year best (2006)
13configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2001221 mpg20 mpg#19 of 37 (50th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2002221 mpg20 mpg#16 of 34 (55th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2003221 mpg21 mpg#12 of 28 (59th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2004322 mpg20 mpg#9 of 31 (73th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2005221 mpg20 mpg#12 of 29 (61th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2006221 mpg20 mpg#16 of 38 (59th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact 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 placed highest in 2004 at #9 of 31, and lowest in 2001 at #19 of 37. 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-cyl172520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20062.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20052.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium2.5L 6-cyl172520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20052.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20042.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium2.5L 6-cyl172520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20042.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20042.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium2.5L 6-cyl192822522.713.5$3,500403.95454545454544n/a
20032.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium2.5L 6-cyl182621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20032.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20022.5L 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-cyl182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20012.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl172520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20012.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2003 → 200421 → 22 mpg+1 mpg523 gal
2004 → 200522 → 21 mpg-1 mpg548 gal

What 325ci fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2006 BMW 325ci burns 548 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 priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$1,643$1,725$82
$3.50/gal$1,917$2,013$96
$4.00/gal$2,190$2,300$110

EPA’s own estimate for the 2006 model year is $3,700 to $3,900 a year in fuel, or $7,250 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 21 mpg the BMW 325ci is 3 mpg below the median, which is worth about $240 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.