1998 BMW 3 Series Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
14.5–16.6gal · 55–63 L
The 1998 BMW 3 Series has a fuel tank capacity of 14.5 to 16.6 gallons (55–63 liters), depending on the trim. The most common size is 16.4 gallons, used on 5 trims.
A full tank is good for roughly 421–476 highway miles or 279–328 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
16.6 gal · Smaller than 69% of 1998 models we list.
1998 BMW 3 Series fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Engine
All 7 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 318ti 2dr Hatchback 1.9L 4cyl 5M · RWD MPG 20 / 29Range 290 / 421 mi | 1.9L 4cyl 5M | RWD | 14.5 gal55 L | 20 / 29 | 290 / 421 mi | |
| 318i 4dr Sedan 1.9L 4cyl 5M · RWD MPG 20 / 29Range 328 / 476 mi | 1.9L 4cyl 5M | RWD | 16.4 gal62 L | 20 / 29 | 328 / 476 mi | |
| 323i 2dr Convertible 2.5L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 18 / 27Range 295 / 443 mi | 2.5L 6cyl 5M | RWD | 16.4 gal62 L | 18 / 27 | 295 / 443 mi | |
| 323is 2dr Coupe 2.5L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 18 / 27Range 295 / 443 mi | 2.5L 6cyl 5M | RWD | 16.4 gal62 L | 18 / 27 | 295 / 443 mi | |
| 328i 2dr Convertible 2.8L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 17 / 26Range 279 / 426 mi | 2.8L 6cyl 5M | RWD | 16.4 gal62 L | 17 / 26 | 279 / 426 mi | |
| 328is 2dr Coupe 2.8L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 17 / 26Range 279 / 426 mi | 2.8L 6cyl 5M | RWD | 16.4 gal62 L | 17 / 26 | 279 / 426 mi | |
| 328i 4dr Sedan 2.8L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 17 / 26Range 282 / 432 mi | 2.8L 6cyl 5M | RWD | 16.6 gal63 L | 17 / 26 | 282 / 432 mi | |
| No trim matches all of these filters. | ||||||
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 1998 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 21 MPG, a full 16.4-gallon tank covers about 344 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 16.4 | 443 | 295 |
| 3/4 | 12.3 | 332 | 221 |
| 1/2 | 8.2 | 221 | 148 |
| 1/4 | 4.1 | 111 | 74 |
| 1/8 | 2.1 | 55 | 37 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 714 gallons, roughly 44 full tanks.
In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 28.8 MPG in the 3 Series (10 drivers), about 472 miles on a full 16.4-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
- 20–24 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 370–444 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 1998 BMW 3 Series
$70.03 to fill the 16.4-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14.5 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $61.91 | $46.44 |
| 16.4 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $70.03 | $52.52 |
| 16.6 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $70.88 | $53.16 |
By region, 16.4-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $65.93 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $70.03 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $60.68 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $73.14 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $88.89 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $96.60 |
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
- 14.5-gallon tank$61.91
- 16.4-gallon tank$70.03
- 16.6-gallon tank$70.88
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,050
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 1998: 14.5–16.6 gal, up from 13.7–16.4 gal on the 1997 3 Series.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 3 Series | 16.6 gal | 448 mi |
| 2002 3 Series | 16.6 gal | 448 mi |
| 2001 3 Series | 16.6 gal | 448 mi |
| 2000 3 Series | 16.6 gal | 432 mi |
| 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 |
- 2026
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1998 BMW 3 Series vs similar 1998 sedans
The 3 Series has the largest tank of the three 1998 sedans compared here, 16.6 gallons against 16.4 for the Audi A4.
| 1998 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 3 Series | 14.5–16.6 gal | 476 mi |
| Audi A4 | 16.4 gal | 476 mi |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 16.4 gal | 459 mi |
Other 1998 sedans of a similar size, one model per brand.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1998 BMW 3 Series?
The 1998 BMW 3 Series holds between 14.5 and 16.6 gallons, depending on the trim. 16.4 gallons is the usual size; the 16.6-gallon tank comes on the 328i 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5M).
How many gallons and liters does the 1998 BMW 3 Series gas tank hold?
The 1998 BMW 3 Series tank holds 55–63 liters, or 14.5–16.6 gallons in US gallons.
Which 1998 BMW 3 Series has the biggest gas tank?
The 16.6-gallon tank is on the 328i 4dr Sedan. The smallest tank, 14.5 gallons, is on the 318ti 2dr Hatchback.
How far can a 1998 BMW 3 Series go on a full tank?
About 421–476 miles on the highway and 279–328 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 1998 BMW 3 Series go on a quarter tank?
About 111 highway miles or 74 in town from the 16.4-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.1 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
How many miles does a 1998 BMW 3 Series really get on a tank?
Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 28.8 MPG in the 1998 BMW 3 Series (10 drivers), which works out to about 472 miles on a full 16.4-gallon tank.
What gas does the 1998 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 1998 BMW 3 Series?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 16.4-gallon tank from empty costs $70.03. It ranges from $60.68 in the Gulf Coast to $96.60 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1998 BMW 3 Series?
About 103 pounds for the 16.6-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 1998 BMW 3 Series have a bigger gas tank than the Audi A4?
Yes. The 1998 BMW 3 Series holds up to 16.6 gallons; the 1998 Audi A4 holds up to 16.4.
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).
- 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.