FuelFacts

2003 BMW 325ci Convertible MPG & Specs — Real-World vs EPA, All Trims

Every gas trim of this model takes premium.

19–20
MPG combined (17 city / 24 hwy)
$3,510–$3,695
est. fuel / year (today's prices, 15k mi)
Premium
gas type

Is the 2003 BMW 325ci Convertible good on gas?

At up to 20 MPG combined, the 2003 BMW 325ci Convertible is about average for a Minicompact Cars — that class averages about 21.0 MPG across 1,649 EPA-tested versions, so it's middle-of-the-road for its size.

Real-world MPG vs the EPA number

The EPA figures above come from a standardized dynamometer test, not the open road — real-world MPG typically runs a bit lower depending on your driving, climate and terrain. That's true of every car on this site, old or new.

This 2003 model was originally EPA-tested under the pre-2008 2-cycle method, which didn't account for highway speeds over 60 mph, air-conditioner use, or cold starts. When EPA overhauled the test for model year 2008, city ratings fell by about 12% and highway by about 8% on average industry-wide — and EPA retroactively adjusted every 1984-2007 rating to the stricter standard so old and new cars could be compared fairly. The MPG above is already on that modern scale — the window sticker on this car when it was new likely showed a higher, pre-2008-method number.

At today's AAA national average price — $4.68/gal for premium gas as of 2026-07-05 — the most efficient trim runs about $3,510/year (roughly $292/month, about $23.40 per 100 miles) at the EPA's assumed 15,000 miles/year, using an estimated 750 gallons a year. We don't estimate a cost-per-fill since exact tank size isn't in the public EPA dataset, but the per-100-mile figure scales to any tank. Current national average gas prices →

2003 BMW 325ci Convertible trims & fuel economy

Trim (engine / transmission)FuelMPGFuel/yr (today's price)
2.5L 6-cyl, S5 automatic, RWDPREMIUM20$3,510
2.5L 6-cyl, 5-spd manual, RWDPREMIUM19$3,695
Where the EPA lists premium, that’s the fuel the maker specified for the mileage test — many such engines run on regular with slightly less power/MPG. Whether premium is required or just recommended is an owner’s-manual detail the EPA dataset omits, so we don’t guess it.

2003 BMW 325ci Convertible specs

What the EPA test-car listings record for this model year — every combination sold is a row in the trims table above.

Engine options2.5L 6-cyl
TransmissionS5 automatic · 5-spd manual
Drive typeRWD
EPA body classMinicompact Cars
FuelPremium

Other years of the BMW 325ci Convertible

2006 BMW 325ci Convertible2005 BMW 325ci Convertible2004 BMW 325ci Convertible2002 BMW 325ci Convertible2001 BMW 325ci Convertible

Similar cars (Minicompact Cars)

2003 Lexus SC 300/SC 4302003 Porsche Carrera 4 S2003 Porsche Turbo2003 Porsche Turbo Kit2003 Aston Martin DB-7 Vantage Coupe2003 Aston Martin DB-7 Vantage Volante

Cars that take premium · Cheapest cars to fuel · Where fuel grade depends on the trim · Fuel guides

2 trim(s) · EPA FuelEconomy.gov data retrieved 2026-07-24 · fuel prices AAA national average as of 2026-07-05.