BMW Z3 Roadster MPG by year — every rating on record

The BMW Z3 Roadster has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 7 model years, from 1996 to 2002. Across those years its best rated version returned 24 mpg (1997) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (1998). The EPA record holds 28 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The BMW Z3 Roadster placed highest in 1998 at #1 of 16, and lowest in 2001 at #10 of 28. It spent 7 of its 7 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 28 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

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.

What Z3 Roadster fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2002 BMW Z3 Roadster burns 548 to 605 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.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2002 model year is $3,700 to $4,100 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 Roadster 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.