The BMW 330xi does 20.5 mpg combined (18 city, 26 highway), which works out to about $1,873 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 330xi engine, compared
The BMW 330xi 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 / 26 | 2001–2006 | $1,873 |
What that actually costs
The BMW 330xi burns a gallon every 20.5 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 585 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.156 |
| Fuel per year | $1,873 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,365 |
| Against other V6 cars | −$57 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,750 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The BMW 330xi gives up 8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 26 out there against 18 in town, a 44% drop worth $656 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 | 26 mpg | $1,477 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (44%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 330xi changed over the years
The 330xi peaked in 2005 at 21 mpg (18 city, 27 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2006 at 20 — 1 mpg apart, or $91 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2006 car does 20. 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 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2005 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2004 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2003 | 18 / 27 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2002 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 | |
| 2001 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,920 |
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 330xi — 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 $3,750. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the BMW 330xi get?
20.5 mpg combined on average — 18 in the city and 26 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2001–2006.
How much does a BMW 330xi cost in fuel per year?
About $1,873 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $9,365 over five years, or 0.156 dollars a mile.
Which 330xi engine is the most economical?
The 3L 6-cyl at 20.5 mpg.
Is the 330xi 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 330xi 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 330xi is $3,750 against the $1,873 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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