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1994 BMW 3 Series Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity

Sedan 6 trims listed 1 fuel-system recall ← 1993 1995 →

Fuel tank capacity

17.2gal · 65 L

The 1994 BMW 3 Series has a fuel tank capacity of 17.2 gallons (65 liters) on every trim.

A full tank is good for roughly 447–499 highway miles or 292–327 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.

17.2 gal · Smaller than 64% of 1994 models we list.

Highway range
447–499 mi
City range
292–327 mi
Fuel
Regular unleaded
EPA combined
20–23 MPG
EPA size class
Subcompact Cars

1994 BMW 3 Series fuel tank capacity by trim

What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table

Engine
no difference

All 6 trims

MPG and range are city / highway.

TrimEngineDrive Tank MPG city / hwy Range city / hwy
318i 2dr Convertible 1.8L 4cyl 5M · RWD MPG 19 / 29Range 327 / 499 mi 1.8L 4cyl 5M RWD 17.2 gal65 L 19 / 29 327 / 499 mi
318i 4dr Sedan 1.8L 4cyl 5M · RWD MPG 19 / 27Range 327 / 464 mi 1.8L 4cyl 5M RWD 17.2 gal65 L 19 / 27 327 / 464 mi
318is 2dr Coupe 1.8L 4cyl 5M · RWD MPG 19 / 27Range 327 / 464 mi 1.8L 4cyl 5M RWD 17.2 gal65 L 19 / 27 327 / 464 mi
325i 2dr Convertible 2.5L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 17 / 26Range 292 / 447 mi 2.5L 6cyl 5M RWD 17.2 gal65 L 17 / 26 292 / 447 mi
325i 4dr Sedan 2.5L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 17 / 26Range 292 / 447 mi 2.5L 6cyl 5M RWD 17.2 gal65 L 17 / 26 292 / 447 mi
325is 2dr Coupe 2.5L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 17 / 26Range 292 / 447 mi 2.5L 6cyl 5M RWD 17.2 gal65 L 17 / 26 292 / 447 mi

Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.

How far a 1994 BMW 3 Series goes on a tank

Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 20 MPG, a full 17.2-gallon tank covers about 344 miles.

GaugeGallonsHighway milesCity miles
Full17.2447292
3/412.9335219
1/28.6224146
1/44.311273
1/82.25637

Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 750 gallons, roughly 44 full tanks.

In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 28.7 MPG in the 3 Series (6 drivers), about 494 miles on a full 17.2-gallon tank.

Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.

EPA combined
20–23 MPG
Tailpipe CO2
386–444 g/mi
Source
EPA ratings

What it costs to fill up a 1994 BMW 3 Series

$73.44 to fill the 17.2-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.

TankFuelUS avg / galFrom emptyFrom 1/4 tank
17.2 galRegular$4.27$73.44$55.08

By region, 17.2-gallon tank

RegionRegular / galFill from empty
East Coast$4.02$69.14
Midwest$4.27$73.44
Gulf CoastLowest$3.70$63.64
Rocky Mountain$4.46$76.71
West Coast$5.42$93.22
CaliforniaHighest$5.89$101.31

Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.

Your own price

  • 17.2-gallon tank$73.44
  • A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,202

Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.

3 Series tank size in other years

The tank changed for 1994: 17.2 gal, up from 16.4–17.2 gal on the 1993 3 Series.

Model yearTankLongest highway range
1999 3 Series 14.5–16.6 gal 459 mi
1998 3 Series 14.5–16.6 gal 476 mi
1997 3 Series 13.7–16.4 gal 476 mi
1996 3 Series 13.7–16.4 gal 476 mi
1995 3 Series 17.2 gal 499 mi
1994 3 Series 17.2 gal 499 mi
1993 3 Series 16.4–17.2 gal 464 mi
1992 3 Series 14.5–17.2 gal 464 mi
1991 3 Series 14.5–16.4 gal 363 mi
1990 3 Series 16.4 gal 377 mi
BMW 3 Series fuel tank by model yearSmallest tank Larger tank options
1990199119921993199419951996199719981999200020012002200320042005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
← 1993 BMW 3 Series Every 3 Series year 1995 BMW 3 Series →

1994 BMW 3 Series vs similar 1994 sedans

The 3 Series has the smallest tank of the three 1994 sedans compared here: 17.2 gallons, against 19.6 for the Porsche 968.

1994 modelTankLongest highway range
Porsche 968 19.6 gal 470 mi
Audi Cabriolet 17.4 gal 418 mi
BMW 3 Series 17.2 gal 499 mi

Other 1994 sedans of a similar size, one model per brand.

1994 BMW 3 Series fuel system recalls

NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 1994 BMW 3 Series, out of 5 recalls in total. A recall applies only to the vehicles named in it, so check your VIN.

Fuel injection systemFeb 17, 1994 · NHTSA 94V037000 · Bayerische Motoren Werke · 23,500 vehicles

The adhesive material of the two piece throttle body heater migrates into the circulation chamber causing build up of impurities and restriction of flow within the chamber. This condition and water vapors from the crank that freezes at low ambient air temperatures prevents the throttle plate from closing as the driver releases the gas pedal, causing loss of throttle control.

Risk and remedy

Risk: If loss of throttle control from the frozen throttle body occurs while the vehicle is in motion, a vehicle crash could occur.

Remedy: Bmw dealers will replace the throttle body heater with a modified heater.

All BMW fuel recalls Look up your tank by VIN

Frequently asked questions

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1994 BMW 3 Series?

The 1994 BMW 3 Series holds 17.2 gallons (65 liters) on every trim we list.

How many gallons and liters does the 1994 BMW 3 Series gas tank hold?

The 1994 BMW 3 Series tank holds 65 liters, or 17.2 gallons in US gallons.

How far can a 1994 BMW 3 Series go on a full tank?

About 447–499 miles on the highway and 292–327 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.

How many miles can a 1994 BMW 3 Series go on a quarter tank?

About 112 highway miles or 73 in town from the 17.2-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.3 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.

How many miles does a 1994 BMW 3 Series really get on a tank?

Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 28.7 MPG in the 1994 BMW 3 Series (6 drivers), which works out to about 494 miles on a full 17.2-gallon tank.

What gas does the 1994 BMW 3 Series take?

Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.

How much does it cost to fill up a 1994 BMW 3 Series?

At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 17.2-gallon tank from empty costs $73.44. It ranges from $63.64 in the Gulf Coast to $101.31 in California.

How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1994 BMW 3 Series?

About 107 pounds for the 17.2-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.

Does the 1994 BMW 3 Series have a bigger gas tank than the Porsche 968?

No. The 1994 Porsche 968 holds up to 19.6 gallons; the 1994 BMW 3 Series holds up to 17.2.

Has the 1994 BMW 3 Series had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 fuel-system recall for the 1994 BMW 3 Series: 94V037000 (fuel injection system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if your car is affected.

Sources

  • Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
  • MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
  • Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
  • Recalls: NHTSA recall database (BMW fuel system recalls).
  • Real-world MPG: driver-reported fill-ups shared at fueleconomy.gov (My MPG).

Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.

Other 1994 BMW models

5 Series21.1 gallons 7 Series21.5–24.0 gallons 8 Series23.8 gallons