Tank Ledger

BMW 325i MPG by year — every rating on record

The BMW 325i has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 7 model years, from 1991 to 2006. Across those years its best rated version returned 22 mpg (2004) and its thirstiest returned 15 mpg (1991). The EPA record holds 15 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

22best combined mpg (2004)
15worst combined mpg (1991)
21latest year best (2006)
15configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1991115 mpg15 mpg#53 of 60 (12th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
2001221 mpg20 mpg#38 of 62 (39th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
2002221 mpg20 mpg#40 of 64 (38th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
2003221 mpg21 mpg#40 of 64 (38th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
2004322 mpg20 mpg#37 of 65 (44th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
2005322 mpg20 mpg#38 of 66 (43th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars
2006221 mpg21 mpg#30 of 51 (42th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumCompact Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW 325i placed highest in 2006 at #30 of 51, and lowest in 1991 at #53 of 60. It spent 0 of its 7 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 15 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20063.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl182821547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20063.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium3.0L 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
20052.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium2.5L 6-cyl192822522.713.5$3,500403.95454545454544n/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
19912.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium(GUZZLER) (FFS)151715766.719.8$5,150592.4666666666667n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 2 of 3 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1991 → 200115 → 21 mpg+6 mpg548 gal
2003 → 200421 → 22 mpg+1 mpg523 gal
2005 → 200622 → 21 mpg-1 mpg548 gal

What 325i fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2006 BMW 325i burns 548 to 548 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$1,643$0
$3.50/gal$1,917$1,917$0
$4.00/gal$2,190$2,190$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2006 model year is $3,700 to $3,700 a year in fuel, or $7,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Compact Cars

Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 21 mpg the BMW 325i is 5 mpg below the median, which is worth about $369 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.