BMW 3 series 1991 fuel consumption
Year-to-year deviations of actual owner-reported average fuel consumption from advertised values
| Year | Gasoline cars | Diesel cars | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All carmakers | BMW 3 series | All carmakers | BMW 3 series | |
| 1991 | +5% | +13% | +4% | +8% |
| Show all years | ||||
| 1992 | +5% | +13% | +2% | +8% |
| 1993 | +5% | +12% | +3% | +6% |
| 1994 | +6% | +12% | +3% | +4% |
| 1995 | +5% | +10% | +2% | +4% |
| 1996 | +4% | +9% | +2% | +4% |
| 1997 | +3% | +5% | +3% | +4% |
| 1998 | +3% | +5% | +4% | +4% |
See below for the actual consumption of generations and versions of BMW 3 series.
BMW 3 series 1991 E36 sedan fuel economy
| Average advertised fuel consumption for petrol engines | 27.4 MPG 8.6 l/100km |
| Average real-world fuel consumption for petrol engines | 25.3 MPG 9.3 l/100km |
| Average real gasoline consumption difference * | +9% |
| Average advertised fuel consumption for diesel engines | 31.0 MPG 7.6 l/100km |
| Average real-world fuel consumption for diesel engines | 30.9 MPG 7.6 l/100km |
| Average real diesel consumption difference * | +3% |
According to advertised fuel consumption, a BMW 3 series 1991 with automatic transmission consumes on average 0.7 liters per 100 km or 9% 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 0.7 litres per 100 km or 9% 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 1.9 petrol engine and manual transmission (BMW 318is 140 HP). However, of all modifications the best advertised fuel economy in its class has BMW 3 series with 2.8 petrol engine and manual transmission (BMW 328i 193 HP).
The table below shows the real and claimed fuel consumption and the differences for specific versions.
| Modification | Claimed consumption | Real consumption |
|---|---|---|
| 1.6 liter petrol engine | ||
| BMW 316i 99 HP manual | 29.8 MPG 7.9 l/100km |
27.7 MPG 8.5 l/100km+8% |
| BMW 316i 100 HP automatic | 28.0 MPG 8.4 l/100km |
22.8 MPG 10.3 l/100km+23% |
| BMW 316i 102 HP manual | 30.5 MPG 7.7 l/100km |
29.4 MPG 8.0 l/100km+4% |
| BMW 316i 102 HP automatic | 28.0 MPG 8.4 l/100km |
25.3 MPG 9.3 l/100km+11% |
| 1.7 liter diesel engine | ||
| BMW 318tds 90 HP manual | 36.2 MPG 6.5 l/100km |
35.6 MPG 6.6 l/100km+2% |
| 1.8 liter petrol engine | ||
| BMW 318i 113 HP manual | 28.3 MPG 8.3 l/100km |
26.7 MPG 8.8 l/100km+6% |
| BMW 318i 113 HP automatic | 27.4 MPG 8.6 l/100km |
25.0 MPG 9.4 l/100km+9% |
| BMW 318i 115 HP manual | 29.8 MPG 7.9 l/100km |
28.0 MPG 8.4 l/100km+6% |
| BMW 318i 115 HP automatic | 27.4 MPG 8.6 l/100km |
24.5 MPG 9.6 l/100km+12% |
| BMW 318is 140 HP manual | 34.1 MPG 6.9 l/100km |
27.4 MPG 8.6 l/100km+25% |
| BMW 318is 140 HP automatic | 34.1 MPG 6.9 l/100km |
25.8 MPG 9.1 l/100km+32% |
| 1.9 liter petrol engine | ||
| BMW 318is 140 HP manual | 29.4 MPG 8.0 l/100km |
29.4 MPG 8.0 l/100km0% |
| BMW 318is 140 HP automatic | 26.7 MPG 8.8 l/100km |
26.7 MPG 8.8 l/100km0% |
| 2.0 liter petrol engine | ||
| BMW 320i 150 HP manual | 26.1 MPG 9.0 l/100km |
25.3 MPG 9.3 l/100km+3% |
| BMW 320i 150 HP automatic | 23.5 MPG 10.0 l/100km |
22.0 MPG 10.7 l/100km+7% |
| 2.5 liter petrol engine | ||
| BMW 323i 170 HP manual | 26.1 MPG 9.0 l/100km |
25.3 MPG 9.3 l/100km+3% |
| BMW 323i 170 HP automatic | 23.5 MPG 10.0 l/100km |
22.0 MPG 10.7 l/100km+7% |
| BMW 325i 192 HP manual | 26.7 MPG 8.8 l/100km |
23.3 MPG 10.1 l/100km+15% |
| BMW 325i 192 HP automatic | 25.3 MPG 9.3 l/100km |
22.6 MPG 10.4 l/100km+12% |
| 2.5 liter diesel engine | ||
| BMW 325td 115 HP manual | 31.8 MPG 7.4 l/100km |
29.4 MPG 8.0 l/100km+8% |
| BMW 325td 115 HP automatic | 28.0 MPG 8.4 l/100km |
|
| BMW 325tds 143 HP manual | 32.2 MPG 7.3 l/100km |
31.4 MPG 7.5 l/100km+3% |
| BMW 325tds 143 HP automatic | 28.3 MPG 8.3 l/100km |
28.3 MPG 8.3 l/100km0% |
| 2.8 liter petrol engine | ||
| BMW 328i 193 HP manual | 25.6 MPG 9.2 l/100km |
23.8 MPG 9.9 l/100km+8% |
| BMW 328i 193 HP automatic | 23.5 MPG 10.0 l/100km |
21.6 MPG 10.9 l/100km+9% |
* - 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.