BMW Z3 Coupe MPG by year — every rating on record
The BMW Z3 Coupe has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1999 to 2002. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (2001) and its thirstiest returned 19 mpg (1999). The EPA record holds 8 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 2 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #9 of 20 (58th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Two Seaters |
| 2000 | 2 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #9 of 21 (60th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters |
| 2001 | 2 | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | #9 of 28 (70th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters |
| 2002 | 2 | 21 mpg | 20 mpg | #7 of 30 (79th pct) | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Two Seaters |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW Z3 Coupe placed highest in 2002 at #7 of 30, and lowest in 1999 at #9 of 20. It spent 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 17 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2002 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 19 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2001 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 17 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2001 | 3.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | 3.0L 6-cyl | 19 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2000 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | 2.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2000 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | 2.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1999 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 2.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1999 | 2.8L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | 2.8L 6-cyl | 17 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 1 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 → 2001 | 19 → 21 mpg | +2 mpg | 548 gal |
What Z3 Coupe fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2002 BMW Z3 Coupe 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 2002 model year is $3,700 to $3,900 a year in fuel, or $8,250 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 21 mpg the BMW Z3 Coupe is 3 mpg better the median, which is worth about $319 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Two Seaters 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.