BMW 330xi MPG by year — every rating on record
The BMW 330xi 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 (2003) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2001). The EPA record holds 13 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 2 | 20 mpg | 18 mpg | #48 of 62 (23th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
| 2002 | 2 | 20 mpg | 18 mpg | #48 of 64 (25th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
| 2003 | 3 | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | #41 of 64 (37th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
| 2004 | 2 | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | #45 of 65 (31th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
| 2005 | 2 | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | #48 of 66 (28th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
| 2006 | 2 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #36 of 51 (30th pct) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW 330xi placed highest in 2006 at #36 of 51, and lowest in 2001 at #48 of 62. It spent 0 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.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2006 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2005 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 16 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2005 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2004 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 16 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2004 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2003 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 16 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2003 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2003 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2002 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 16 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2002 | 3.0L 6-cyl 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2001 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 16 | 23 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2001 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 18 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 → 2003 | 20 → 21 mpg | +1 mpg | 548 gal |
| 2005 → 2006 | 21 → 20 mpg | -1 mpg | 575 gal |
What 330xi fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2006 BMW 330xi burns 575 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 | $1,725 | $1,725 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $2,013 | $2,013 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,300 | $2,300 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2006 model year is $3,900 to $3,900 a year in fuel, or $8,250 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 20 mpg the BMW 330xi is 6 mpg below the median, which is worth about $464 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Compact 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.