Real fuel consumption and economy logo

BMW 3 series 1999 fuel consumption

BMW 3 series from 1999 to 2003 real fuel consumption according to user reports is approximately 17% higher compared to advertised fuel consumption. Since 1999 the BMW 3 series average difference between owner-reported real-world fuel consumption and declared fuel economy has been slightly above industry average.

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

YearGasoline cars
All carmakersBMW 3 series
1999+3%+6%
Show all years
2000+4%+8%
2001+5%+10%
2002+6%+11%
2003+6%+11%

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

1999 - 2003

BMW 3 series 1999 E46 coupe fuel economy

Average advertised fuel consumption for petrol engines26.4 MPG
8.9 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for petrol engines24.3 MPG
9.7 l/100km
Average real gasoline consumption difference *+9%

According to advertised fuel consumption, a BMW 3 series 1999 with automatic transmission consumes on average 0.8 liters per 100 km or 10% 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 1 litres per 100 km or 11% more fuel than a version with the same engine but a manual gearbox.

Compared to similar cars of other manufacturers, the BMW 3 series advertised fuel economy is significantly above average, but according to available user reports on actual consumption, real fuel economy is slightly better than average.
The best real fuel economy in its class according to user reviews of all the modifications has modification with 2.8 petrol engine and manual transmission (BMW 328Ci 193 HP). However, of all modifications the best advertised fuel economy in its class has BMW 3 series with 3.0 petrol engine and manual transmission (BMW 330Ci 231 HP).

ModificationClaimed consumptionReal consumption
1.8 liter petrol engine
BMW 316i 116 HP manual 33.1 MPG
7.1 l/100km
28.7 MPG
8.2 l/100km+15%
BMW 316i 116 HP automatic 29.4 MPG
8.0 l/100km
26.7 MPG
8.8 l/100km+10%
1.9 liter petrol engine
BMW 318Ci 118 HP manual 29.4 MPG
8.0 l/100km
28.0 MPG
8.4 l/100km+5%
BMW 318Ci 118 HP automatic 25.6 MPG
9.2 l/100km
24.8 MPG
9.5 l/100km+3%
2.0 liter petrol engine
BMW 318Ci 143 HP manual 32.7 MPG
7.2 l/100km
28.0 MPG
8.4 l/100km+17%
BMW 318Ci 143 HP automatic 29.0 MPG
8.1 l/100km
25.6 MPG
9.2 l/100km+14%
BMW 320Ci 150 HP manual 26.4 MPG
8.9 l/100km
24.5 MPG
9.6 l/100km+8%
BMW 320Ci 150 HP automatic 23.5 MPG
10.0 l/100km
22.0 MPG
10.7 l/100km+7%
2.2 liter petrol engine
BMW 320Ci 170 HP manual 26.4 MPG
8.9 l/100km
25.0 MPG
9.4 l/100km+6%
BMW 320Ci 170 HP automatic 25.0 MPG
9.4 l/100km
23.1 MPG
10.2 l/100km+9%
2.5 liter petrol engine
BMW 323Ci 170 HP manual 26.1 MPG
9.0 l/100km
25.6 MPG
9.2 l/100km+2%
BMW 323Ci 170 HP automatic 23.5 MPG
10.0 l/100km
22.8 MPG
10.3 l/100km+3%
BMW 325Ci 192 HP manual 26.1 MPG
9.0 l/100km
24.2 MPG
9.7 l/100km+8%
BMW 325Ci 192 HP automatic 24.8 MPG
9.5 l/100km
22.6 MPG
10.4 l/100km+9%
2.8 liter petrol engine
BMW 328Ci 193 HP manual 25.8 MPG
9.1 l/100km
24.0 MPG
9.8 l/100km+8%
BMW 328Ci 193 HP automatic 23.5 MPG
10.0 l/100km
20.8 MPG
11.3 l/100km+13%
3.0 liter petrol engine
BMW 330Ci 231 HP manual 25.8 MPG
9.1 l/100km
23.5 MPG
10.0 l/100km+10%
BMW 330Ci 231 HP automatic 24.5 MPG
9.6 l/100km
21.2 MPG
11.1 l/100km+16%

* - 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.