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BMW 3 series 1986 fuel consumption

BMW 3 series from 1986 to 1993 real fuel consumption according to user reports is approximately 17% higher compared to advertised fuel consumption. Starting from 1990 BMW 3 series average difference between actual owner-reported fuel consumption and stated consumption was similar to average, at 1993 difference between owner-reported and advertised fuel economy became less than industry average. For more details, see the table below.

Year-to-year deviations of actual owner-reported average fuel consumption from advertised values

YearGasoline cars
All carmakersBMW 3 series
1990+5%+5%
Show all years
1991+4%+5%
1992+5%+5%
1993+5%insignificant

See below for the actual consumption of generations and versions of BMW 3 series.

1986 - 1993

BMW 3 series 1986 E30 cabrio fuel economy

Average advertised fuel consumption for petrol engines25.2 MPG
9.4 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for petrol engines23.5 MPG
10.0 l/100km
Average real gasoline consumption difference *+7%

According to advertised fuel consumption, a BMW 3 series 1986 with automatic transmission consumes on average 0.2 liters per 100 km or 2% more fuel than similar versions with manual gearbox. Based on user-reported real-world fuel consumption, this generation BMW 3 series with automatic transmission consumes around 0.6 litres per 100 km or 7% more fuel than a version with the same engine but a manual gearbox.

Compared to similar cars from other manufacturers, the BMW 3 series fuel economy is average. The best real fuel economy in its class according to user reviews of all the modifications has modification with 2.5 petrol engine and manual transmission (BMW 325i Cabrio 170 HP). However, of all modifications the best advertised fuel economy in its class has BMW 3 series with 2.5 petrol engine and automatic transmission (BMW 325i Cabrio 170 HP).

ModificationClaimed consumptionReal consumption
1.8 liter petrol engine
BMW 318i Cabrio 113 HP manual 26.7 MPG
8.8 l/100km
27.0 MPG
8.7 l/100km-1%
BMW 318i Cabrio 113 HP automatic 26.1 MPG
9.0 l/100km
25.0 MPG
9.4 l/100km+4%
2.0 liter petrol engine
BMW 320i Cabrio 129 HP manual 24.8 MPG
9.5 l/100km
24.2 MPG
9.7 l/100km+2%
BMW 320i Cabrio 129 HP automatic 24.2 MPG
9.7 l/100km
22.2 MPG
10.6 l/100km+9%
2.5 liter petrol engine
BMW 325i Cabrio 170 HP manual 26.1 MPG
9.0 l/100km
23.3 MPG
10.1 l/100km+12%
BMW 325i Cabrio 170 HP automatic 25.6 MPG
9.2 l/100km
21.8 MPG
10.8 l/100km+17%
BMW 325i Cabrio 170 HP manual 24.2 MPG
9.7 l/100km
22.8 MPG
10.3 l/100km+6%
BMW 325i Cabrio 170 HP automatic 23.8 MPG
9.9 l/100km
22.2 MPG
10.6 l/100km+7%

* - Difference between advertised and user reported fuel economy has been calculated taking into account only those car versions for which information is available both on the fuel consumption specified by the manufacturer and reported by users.

User-reported fuel consumption may not accurately represent all users' experiences due to variables such as driving conditions, driving style, technical condition of the vehicle, and other circumstances. Thus, it should not be relied upon as a representative indicator.