Tank Ledger

BMW Z4 Roadster MPG by year — every rating on record

The BMW Z4 Roadster has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 2003 to 2005. Across those years its best rated version returned 21 mpg (2003) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2003). The EPA record holds 17 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Two Seaters.

21best combined mpg (2003)
20worst combined mpg (2003)
21latest year best (2005)
17configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2003621 mpg20 mpg#7 of 30 (79th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2004621 mpg20 mpg#7 of 32 (81th pct)Rear-Wheel DrivePremiumTwo Seaters
2005521 mpg20 mpg#7 of 37 (83th 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 Z4 Roadster placed highest in 2003 at #7 of 30, and lowest in 2003 at #7 of 30. It spent 3 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 17 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20053.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium3.0L 6-cyl172520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20052.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl182621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20052.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium2.5L 6-cyl182621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20053.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20053.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium3.0L 6-cyl182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20043.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium3.0L 6-cyl172520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20042.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl182621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20042.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium2.5L 6-cyl182621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20042.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium2.5L 6-cyl182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20043.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20043.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium3.0L 6-cyl182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20033.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium3.0L 6-cyl182520575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20032.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium2.5L 6-cyl182621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20032.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium2.5L 6-cyl182621547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20033.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium3.0L 6-cyl182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20033.0L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium3.0L 6-cyl182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a
20032.5L 6-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium2.5L 6-cyl182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a

What Z4 Roadster fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2005 BMW Z4 Roadster 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 priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$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 2005 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 Two Seaters

Across the 263 nameplates EPA classifies as Two Seaters, the median best combined rating is 18 mpg. At 21 mpg the BMW Z4 Roadster is 3 mpg better the median, which is worth about $319 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other BMW nameplates

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