The BMW 330Ci does 21.3 mpg combined (18 city, 27.2 highway), which works out to about $1,803 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 330Ci engine, compared
The BMW 330Ci 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3L 6-cyl | 18 / 27.2 | 2001–2006 | $1,803 |
What that actually costs
The BMW 330Ci burns a gallon every 21.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 563 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.150 |
| Fuel per year | $1,803 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,015 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$127 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,600 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW 330Ci gives up 9.2 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 27.2 out there against 18 in town, a 51% drop worth $721 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 | 18 mpg | $2,133 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 27.2 mpg | $1,412 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.2 mpg (51%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 330Ci changed over the years
The 330Ci peaked in 2003 at 22 mpg (18 city, 27 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2006 at 21 — 1 mpg apart, or $84 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2006 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | 18 / 28 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2005 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2004 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2003 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2002 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2001 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the BMW 330Ci — 1 engine across 2001–2006. 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 $3,600. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW 330Ci get?
21.3 mpg combined on average — 18 in the city and 27.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2001–2006.
How much does a BMW 330Ci cost in fuel per year?
About $1,803 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,015 over five years, or 0.150 dollars a mile.
Which 330Ci engine is the most economical?
The 3L 6-cyl at 21.3 mpg.
Is the 330Ci 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 330Ci 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 330Ci is $3,600 against the $1,803 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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