BMW 328i Convertible MPG by year — every rating on record
The BMW 328i Convertible has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1996 to 2013. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (1996) and its thirstiest returned 19 mpg (1998). The EPA record holds 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | 2 | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | #6 of 11 (50th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars |
| 1998 | 2 | 20 mpg | 19 mpg | #8 of 12 (36th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minicompact Cars |
| 1999 | 2 | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | #6 of 10 (44th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minicompact Cars |
| 2013 | 2 | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | #44 of 71 (39th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | 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 328i Convertible placed highest in 1996 at #6 of 11, and lowest in 2013 at #44 of 71. It spent 1 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 446 | 5/10 |
| 2013 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 427 | 5/10 |
| 1999 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 2.8L 6-cyl | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1999 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | 2.8L 6-cyl | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1998 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 2.8L 6-cyl | 16 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1998 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | 2.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1996 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | (FFS) | 18 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1996 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | (FFS) | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/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.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 → 1998 | 21 → 20 mpg | -1 mpg | 575 gal |
| 1998 → 1999 | 20 → 21 mpg | +1 mpg | 548 gal |
What 328i Convertible fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2013 BMW 328i Convertible 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 price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $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 2013 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 Minicompact Cars
Across the 153 nameplates EPA classifies as Minicompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 21 mpg. At 21 mpg the BMW 328i Convertible is exactly at the median.
- 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.