The BMW 325iS does 19.9 mpg combined (17.4 city, 24.7 highway), which works out to about $1,930 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every BMW 325iS engine, compared
The BMW 325iS was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5L 6-cyl | 17.4 / 24.7 | 1989–2005 | $1,930 |
What that actually costs
The BMW 325iS burns a gallon every 19.9 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 603 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.161 |
| Fuel per year | $1,930 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,650 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$0 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,671 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW 325iS gives up 7.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 24.7 out there against 17.4 in town, a 42% drop worth $652 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 17.4 mpg | $2,207 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 24.7 mpg | $1,555 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +7.3 mpg (42%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 325iS changed over the years
The 325iS peaked in 2004 at 22 mpg (19 city, 28 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1991 at 18 — 4 mpg apart, or $388 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2005 car does 21. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2004 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2003 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2002 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2001 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 1995 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1994 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1993 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 1992 | 16 / 23 | 1 | $2,021 | |
| 1991 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1990 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 | |
| 1989 | 16 / 20 | 1 | $2,133 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 12 EPA ratings of the BMW 325iS — 1 engine across 1989–2005. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,671. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW 325iS get?
19.9 mpg combined on average — 17.4 in the city and 24.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1989–2005.
How much does a BMW 325iS cost in fuel per year?
About $1,930 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,650 over five years, or 0.161 dollars a mile.
Which 325iS engine is the most economical?
The 2.5L 6-cyl at 19.9 mpg.
Is the 325iS good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits above the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world 325iS figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the BMW 325iS is $3,671 against the $1,930 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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