BMW 3 series 2001 fuel consumption

BMW 3 series from 2001 to 2005 real fuel consumption according to user reports is approximately 17% higher compared to advertised fuel consumption. Starting from 2001 BMW 3 series average difference between actual owner-reported fuel consumption and stated consumption was slightly above industry average, at 2004 it was similar to average, at 2005 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

Year	Gasoline cars		Diesel cars
Year	All carmakers	BMW 3 series	All carmakers	BMW 3 series
2001	+5%	+8%	+6%	+10%
Show all years
2002	+6%	+9%	+7%	+9%
2003	+6%	+8%	+8%	+7%
2004	+7%	+8%	+9%	+6%
2005	+8%	+8%	+10%	+6%

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

2001 - 2005

BMW 3 series 2001 Touring E46 wagon fuel economy

Average advertised fuel consumption for petrol engines	25.3 MPG 9.3 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for petrol engines	24.2 MPG 9.7 l/100km
Average real gasoline consumption difference *	+5%
Average advertised fuel consumption for diesel engines	32.9 MPG 7.2 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for diesel engines	32.0 MPG 7.4 l/100km
Average real diesel consumption difference *	+3%

BMW 3 series 2001 specs BMW 3 series 2001 owner reviews BMW 3 series service info and schedule

According to advertised fuel consumption, a BMW 3 series 2001 with automatic transmission consumes on average 0.9 liters per 100 km or 12% 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 1.1 litres per 100 km or 14% 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 significantly above average. The best fuel economy in its class of all the modifications has one with 3.0 diesel engine and manual transmission (BMW 330d Touring 204 HP).

The table below shows the real and claimed fuel consumption and the differences for specific versions.

Modification	Claimed consumption	Real consumption
1.8 liter petrol engine
BMW 316i Touring 116 HP manual	32.2 MPG 7.3 l/100km	29.0 MPG 8.1 l/100km+11%
BMW 316i Touring 116 HP automatic	29.0 MPG 8.1 l/100km	26.7 MPG 8.8 l/100km+9%
2.0 liter petrol engine
BMW 318i Touring 143 HP manual	31.8 MPG 7.4 l/100km	28.0 MPG 8.4 l/100km+14%
BMW 318i Touring 143 HP automatic	28.7 MPG 8.2 l/100km	25.6 MPG 9.2 l/100km+12%
2.0 liter diesel engine
BMW 318d Touring 115 HP manual	39.9 MPG 5.9 l/100km	38.6 MPG 6.1 l/100km+3%
BMW 318d Touring 115 HP automatic	34.1 MPG 6.9 l/100km
BMW 318d 115 HP manual	40.6 MPG 5.8 l/100km	38.6 MPG 6.1 l/100km+5%
BMW 318d 115 HP automatic	34.6 MPG 6.8 l/100km
BMW 320d Touring 150 HP manual	41.3 MPG 5.7 l/100km	36.2 MPG 6.5 l/100km+14%
BMW 320d Touring 150 HP automatic	33.1 MPG 7.1 l/100km	30.2 MPG 7.8 l/100km+10%
BMW 320d Touring 150 HP manual	39.9 MPG 5.9 l/100km	36.8 MPG 6.4 l/100km+8%
2.2 liter petrol engine
BMW 320i Touring 170 HP manual	26.1 MPG 9.0 l/100km	25.0 MPG 9.4 l/100km+4%
BMW 320i Touring 170 HP automatic	24.5 MPG 9.6 l/100km	23.5 MPG 10.0 l/100km+4%
2.5 liter petrol engine
BMW 325i Touring 192 HP manual	25.6 MPG 9.2 l/100km	24.5 MPG 9.6 l/100km+4%
BMW 325i Touring 192 HP automatic	24.2 MPG 9.7 l/100km	22.6 MPG 10.4 l/100km+7%
BMW 325xi Touring 192 HP AWD manual	23.5 MPG 10.0 l/100km	22.2 MPG 10.6 l/100km+6%
BMW 325xi Touring 192 HP AWD automatic	21.4 MPG 11.0 l/100km	20.6 MPG 11.4 l/100km+4%
2.9 liter diesel engine
BMW 330d Touring 184 HP manual	33.6 MPG 7.0 l/100km	32.7 MPG 7.2 l/100km+3%
BMW 330d Touring 184 HP automatic	29.0 MPG 8.1 l/100km	28.3 MPG 8.3 l/100km+2%
BMW 330xd Touring 184 HP AWD manual	30.2 MPG 7.8 l/100km	29.8 MPG 7.9 l/100km+1%
BMW 330xd Touring 184 HP AWD automatic	26.4 MPG 8.9 l/100km	25.6 MPG 9.2 l/100km+3%
3.0 liter petrol engine
BMW 330i Touring 231 HP manual	25.3 MPG 9.3 l/100km	23.8 MPG 9.9 l/100km+6%
BMW 330i Touring 231 HP automatic	24.0 MPG 9.8 l/100km	21.2 MPG 11.1 l/100km+13%
BMW 330xi Touring 231 HP AWD manual	24.0 MPG 9.8 l/100km	23.8 MPG 9.9 l/100km+1%
BMW 330xi Touring 231 HP AWD automatic	21.4 MPG 11.0 l/100km	21.2 MPG 11.1 l/100km+1%
BMW 330i Touring 231 HP manual	25.3 MPG 9.3 l/100km	24.0 MPG 9.8 l/100km+5%
BMW 330xi Touring 231 HP AWD manual	23.5 MPG 10.0 l/100km	24.0 MPG 9.8 l/100km-2%
3.0 liter diesel engine
BMW 330d Touring 204 HP manual	34.6 MPG 6.8 l/100km	32.7 MPG 7.2 l/100km+6%
BMW 330d Touring 204 HP automatic	29.8 MPG 7.9 l/100km	30.2 MPG 7.8 l/100km-1%
BMW 330xd Touring 204 HP AWD manual	30.2 MPG 7.8 l/100km	28.0 MPG 8.4 l/100km+8%
BMW 330xd Touring 204 HP AWD automatic	26.4 MPG 8.9 l/100km	26.4 MPG 8.9 l/100km0%

Do you own a BMW 3 series? Please share your fuel economy!

2001 - 2005

BMW 3 series 2001 E46 sedan fuel economy

Average advertised fuel consumption for petrol engines	25.9 MPG 9.1 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for petrol engines	24.4 MPG 9.6 l/100km
Average real gasoline consumption difference *	+7%
Average advertised fuel consumption for diesel engines	33.2 MPG 7.1 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for diesel engines	31.5 MPG 7.5 l/100km
Average real diesel consumption difference *	+5%

BMW 3 series 2001 specs BMW 3 series 2001 owner reviews BMW 3 series service info and schedule

According to advertised fuel consumption, a BMW 3 series 2001 with automatic transmission consumes on average 1 liters per 100 km or 13% 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 1.1 litres per 100 km or 15% more fuel than a version with the same engine but a manual gearbox.

The table below shows the real and claimed fuel consumption and the differences for specific versions.

Modification	Claimed consumption	Real consumption
1.8 liter petrol engine
BMW 316i 116 HP manual	33.1 MPG 7.1 l/100km	29.0 MPG 8.1 l/100km+14%
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 316i 105 HP manual	29.8 MPG 7.9 l/100km	27.4 MPG 8.6 l/100km+9%
BMW 316i 105 HP automatic	26.1 MPG 9.0 l/100km
2.0 liter petrol engine
BMW 318i 143 HP manual	32.7 MPG 7.2 l/100km	28.0 MPG 8.4 l/100km+17%
BMW 318i 143 HP automatic	29.0 MPG 8.1 l/100km	25.6 MPG 9.2 l/100km+14%
2.0 liter diesel engine
BMW 318d 115 HP manual	42.0 MPG 5.6 l/100km	38.6 MPG 6.1 l/100km+9%
BMW 318d 115 HP automatic	34.6 MPG 6.8 l/100km
BMW 320d 150 HP manual	42.8 MPG 5.5 l/100km	36.2 MPG 6.5 l/100km+18%
BMW 320d 150 HP automatic	34.1 MPG 6.9 l/100km	30.2 MPG 7.8 l/100km+13%
BMW 320d 150 HP manual	40.6 MPG 5.8 l/100km	36.8 MPG 6.4 l/100km+10%
2.2 liter petrol engine
BMW 320i 170 HP manual	26.4 MPG 8.9 l/100km	25.0 MPG 9.4 l/100km+6%
BMW 320i 170 HP automatic	25.0 MPG 9.4 l/100km	23.3 MPG 10.1 l/100km+7%
2.5 liter petrol engine
BMW 325i 192 HP manual	26.1 MPG 9.0 l/100km	24.5 MPG 9.6 l/100km+7%
BMW 325i 192 HP automatic	24.8 MPG 9.5 l/100km	22.6 MPG 10.4 l/100km+9%
BMW 325xi 192 HP AWD manual	23.8 MPG 9.9 l/100km	22.2 MPG 10.6 l/100km+7%
BMW 325xi 192 HP AWD automatic	21.4 MPG 11.0 l/100km	20.6 MPG 11.4 l/100km+4%
2.9 liter diesel engine
BMW 330d 184 HP manual	35.1 MPG 6.7 l/100km	35.1 MPG 6.7 l/100km0%
BMW 330d 184 HP automatic	29.4 MPG 8.0 l/100km	26.7 MPG 8.8 l/100km+10%
BMW 330xd 184 HP AWD manual	30.9 MPG 7.6 l/100km	30.9 MPG 7.6 l/100km0%
BMW 330xd 184 HP AWD automatic	27.0 MPG 8.7 l/100km	26.7 MPG 8.8 l/100km+1%
3.0 liter petrol engine
BMW 330i 231 HP manual	25.8 MPG 9.1 l/100km	23.8 MPG 9.9 l/100km+9%
BMW 330i 231 HP automatic	24.5 MPG 9.6 l/100km	23.1 MPG 10.2 l/100km+6%
BMW 330xi 231 HP AWD manual	24.5 MPG 9.6 l/100km	23.8 MPG 9.9 l/100km+3%
BMW 330xi 231 HP AWD automatic	21.4 MPG 11.0 l/100km	19.9 MPG 11.8 l/100km+7%
BMW 330i 231 HP manual	25.8 MPG 9.1 l/100km	24.0 MPG 9.8 l/100km+8%
BMW 330xi 231 HP AWD manual	23.8 MPG 9.9 l/100km	24.0 MPG 9.8 l/100km-1%
3.0 liter diesel engine
BMW 330d 204 HP manual	35.6 MPG 6.6 l/100km	36.2 MPG 6.5 l/100km-2%
BMW 330d 204 HP automatic	30.5 MPG 7.7 l/100km	28.0 MPG 8.4 l/100km+9%
BMW 330xd 204 HP AWD manual	30.9 MPG 7.6 l/100km	30.9 MPG 7.6 l/100km0%
BMW 330xd 204 HP AWD automatic	27.0 MPG 8.7 l/100km	25.6 MPG 9.2 l/100km+6%

Do you own a BMW 3 series? Please share your fuel economy!

2001 - 2005

BMW 3 series 2001 E46 hatchback fuel economy

Average advertised fuel consumption for petrol engines	28.9 MPG 8.1 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for petrol engines	25.7 MPG 9.2 l/100km
Average real gasoline consumption difference *	+13%
Average advertised fuel consumption for diesel engines	39.7 MPG 5.9 l/100km
Average real-world fuel consumption for diesel engines	35.1 MPG 6.7 l/100km
Average real diesel consumption difference *	+13%

BMW 3 series 2001 specs BMW 3 series 2001 owner reviews BMW 3 series service info and schedule

According to advertised fuel consumption, a BMW 3 series 2001 with automatic transmission consumes on average 0.8 liters per 100 km or 12% 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 13% 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 among the best, beating more than 80% of other cars, 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 2.5 petrol engine and manual transmission (BMW 325ti Compact 192 HP). However, of all modifications the best advertised fuel economy in its class has BMW 3 series with 2.5 petrol engine and manual transmission (BMW 325ti Compact 192 HP).

The table below shows the real and claimed fuel consumption and the differences for specific versions.

Modification	Claimed consumption	Real consumption
1.8 liter petrol engine
BMW 316ti Compact 116 HP manual	34.1 MPG 6.9 l/100km	28.7 MPG 8.2 l/100km+19%
BMW 316ti Compact 116 HP automatic	30.9 MPG 7.6 l/100km	26.4 MPG 8.9 l/100km+17%
2.0 liter petrol engine
BMW 318ti Compact 143 HP manual	32.7 MPG 7.2 l/100km	28.0 MPG 8.4 l/100km+17%
BMW 318ti Compact 143 HP automatic	29.8 MPG 7.9 l/100km	25.6 MPG 9.2 l/100km+16%
2.0 liter diesel engine
BMW 318td Compact 115 HP manual	42.0 MPG 5.6 l/100km	38.6 MPG 6.1 l/100km+9%
BMW 320td Compact 150 HP manual	42.8 MPG 5.5 l/100km	36.2 MPG 6.5 l/100km+18%
BMW 320td Compact 150 HP automatic	34.1 MPG 6.9 l/100km	30.2 MPG 7.8 l/100km+13%
BMW 320td Compact 150 HP manual	41.3 MPG 5.7 l/100km	36.8 MPG 6.4 l/100km+12%
2.5 liter petrol engine
BMW 325ti Compact 192 HP manual	26.4 MPG 8.9 l/100km	24.5 MPG 9.6 l/100km+8%
BMW 325ti Compact 192 HP automatic	24.8 MPG 9.5 l/100km	22.6 MPG 10.4 l/100km+9%
BMW 325ti Compact 192 HP manual	26.4 MPG 8.9 l/100km	25.0 MPG 9.4 l/100km+6%

Do you own a BMW 3 series? Please share your fuel economy!

* - 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.