Tank Ledger

BMW M Roadster MPG by year — every rating on record

The BMW M Roadster has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1998 to 2001. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (1998) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2001). The EPA record holds 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.

21best combined mpg (1998)
18worst combined mpg (2001)
18latest year best (2001)
4configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1998121 mpg21 mpg#3 of 16 (87th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularTwo Seaters
1999120 mpg20 mpg#5 of 20 (79th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularTwo Seaters
2000119 mpg19 mpg#6 of 12 (55th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumMinicompact Cars
2001118 mpg18 mpg#18 of 28 (37th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW M Roadster placed highest in 1998 at #3 of 16, and lowest in 2001 at #18 of 28. It spent 3 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 4 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20013.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium3.2L 6-cyl152318638.916.5$4,300493.72222222222223n/a
20003.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium3.2L 6-cyl172319605.315.7$4,100467.7368421052632n/a
19993.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular3.2L 6-cyl172420575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
19983.2L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular3.2L 6-cyl182621547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 0 of 3 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
1998 → 199921 → 20 mpg-1 mpg575 gal
1999 → 200020 → 19 mpg-1 mpg605 gal
2000 → 200119 → 18 mpg-1 mpg639 gal

What M Roadster fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2001 BMW M Roadster burns 639 to 639 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$1,917$1,917$0
$3.50/gal$2,236$2,236$0
$4.00/gal$2,556$2,556$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2001 model year is $4,300 to $4,300 a year in fuel, or $10,250 more than the average new vehicle over five years.

How it compares with other Two Seaters

Across the 263 nameplates EPA classifies as Two Seaters, the median best combined rating is 18 mpg. At 18 mpg the BMW M Roadster is exactly at the median.

Other BMW nameplates

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