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BMW 3 series 1983 fuel consumption

BMW 3 series from 1983 to 1991 real fuel consumption according to user reports is approximately 17% higher compared to advertised fuel consumption. Since 1990 the BMW 3 series average difference between owner-reported real-world fuel consumption and declared fuel economy has been similar to average.

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

YearGasoline carsDiesel cars
All carmakersBMW 3 seriesAll carmakersBMW 3 series
1990+5%+4% +5%+3%
Show all years
1991+5%+4% +4%+3%

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

1983 - 1991

BMW 3 series 1983 E30 sedan fuel economy

Average advertised fuel consumption for petrol engines26.6 MPG
8.8 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for petrol engines24.1 MPG
9.8 l/100km
Average real gasoline consumption difference *+10%
Average advertised fuel consumption for diesel engines33.4 MPG
7.1 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for diesel engines33.1 MPG
7.1 l/100km
Average real diesel consumption difference *insignificant

According to advertised fuel consumption, BMW 3 series 1983 with automatic transmission have almost the same fuel economy as similar versions with manual gearbox. Based on user-reported real-world fuel consumption, this generation BMW 3 series with automatic transmission consumes around 0.5 litres per 100 km or 5% 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 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 325iX 170 HP 4x4). 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 325iX 170 HP 4x4).

ModificationClaimed consumptionReal consumption
1.6 liter petrol engine
BMW 316i 99 HP manual 27.7 MPG
8.5 l/100km
28.0 MPG
8.4 l/100km-1%
BMW 316i 99 HP automatic 27.0 MPG
8.7 l/100km
25.6 MPG
9.2 l/100km+6%
1.8 liter petrol engine
BMW 316 90 HP manual 30.2 MPG
7.8 l/100km
27.4 MPG
8.6 l/100km+10%
BMW 316 90 HP automatic 29.4 MPG
8.0 l/100km
28.3 MPG
8.3 l/100km+4%
BMW 316i 102 HP manual 27.4 MPG
8.6 l/100km
26.7 MPG
8.8 l/100km+2%
BMW 316i 102 HP automatic 26.4 MPG
8.9 l/100km
BMW 318i 105 HP manual 30.2 MPG
7.8 l/100km
28.3 MPG
8.3 l/100km+6%
BMW 318i 105 HP automatic 29.4 MPG
8.0 l/100km
BMW 318i 113 HP manual 27.7 MPG
8.5 l/100km
27.0 MPG
8.7 l/100km+2%
BMW 318i 113 HP automatic 27.4 MPG
8.6 l/100km
25.6 MPG
9.2 l/100km+7%
2.0 liter petrol engine
BMW 320i 125 HP manual 27.4 MPG
8.6 l/100km
25.8 MPG
9.1 l/100km+6%
BMW 320i 125 HP automatic 27.4 MPG
8.6 l/100km
BMW 320i 129 HP manual 26.4 MPG
8.9 l/100km
25.0 MPG
9.4 l/100km+6%
BMW 320i 129 HP automatic 27.4 MPG
8.6 l/100km
22.8 MPG
10.3 l/100km+20%
BMW 320i 129 HP manual 23.8 MPG
9.9 l/100km
24.2 MPG
9.7 l/100km-2%
BMW 320i 129 HP automatic 23.8 MPG
9.9 l/100km
22.2 MPG
10.6 l/100km+7%
2.3 liter petrol engine
BMW 323i 150 HP manual 26.4 MPG
8.9 l/100km
19.6 MPG
12.0 l/100km+35%
BMW 323i 150 HP automatic 26.7 MPG
8.8 l/100km
2.4 liter diesel engine
BMW 324d 86 HP manual 34.1 MPG
6.9 l/100km
32.2 MPG
7.3 l/100km+6%
BMW 324d 86 HP automatic 32.2 MPG
7.3 l/100km
BMW 324td 116 HP manual 33.6 MPG
7.0 l/100km
30.9 MPG
7.6 l/100km+9%
BMW 324td 116 HP automatic 33.6 MPG
7.0 l/100km
2.5 liter petrol engine
BMW 325i 170 HP manual 26.4 MPG
8.9 l/100km
23.3 MPG
10.1 l/100km+13%
BMW 325i 170 HP automatic 26.7 MPG
8.8 l/100km
21.8 MPG
10.8 l/100km+23%
BMW 325iX 170 HP AWD manual 26.4 MPG
8.9 l/100km
23.3 MPG
10.1 l/100km+13%
BMW 325iX 170 HP AWD automatic 26.4 MPG
8.9 l/100km
21.8 MPG
10.8 l/100km+21%
BMW 325i 170 HP manual 24.2 MPG
9.7 l/100km
22.6 MPG
10.4 l/100km+7%
BMW 325i 170 HP automatic 23.8 MPG
9.9 l/100km
22.2 MPG
10.6 l/100km+7%
BMW 325iX 170 HP AWD manual 23.5 MPG
10.0 l/100km
22.6 MPG
10.4 l/100km+4%
BMW 325iX 170 HP AWD automatic 23.5 MPG
10.0 l/100km
22.2 MPG
10.6 l/100km+6%
2.7 liter petrol engine
BMW 325e 129 HP manual 28.0 MPG
8.4 l/100km
25.0 MPG
9.4 l/100km+12%
BMW 325e 129 HP automatic 28.0 MPG
8.4 l/100km
22.8 MPG
10.3 l/100km+23%

* - 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.