2003 BMW 3 Series Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
16.6gal · 63 L
The 2003 BMW 3 Series has a fuel tank capacity of 16.6 gallons (63 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 398–448 highway miles or 282–299 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
16.6 gal · Smaller than 77% of 2003 models we list.
- By trim
- Gas cap & parts
- Fuel essentials
- Miles per tank
- Fill-up cost
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- Compared
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- FAQ
2003 BMW 3 Series fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Drive
- no difference
- Engine
- no difference
All 12 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 325Ci Rwd 2dr Convertible 2.5L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 17 / 24Range 282 / 398 mi | 2.5L 6cyl 5M | RWD | 16.6 gal63 L | 17 / 24 | 282 / 398 mi | |
| 325Ci Rwd 2dr Coupe 2.5L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 18 / 27Range 299 / 448 mi | 2.5L 6cyl 5M | RWD | 16.6 gal63 L | 18 / 27 | 299 / 448 mi | |
| 325i Rwd 4dr Sedan 2.5L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 18 / 27Range 299 / 448 mi | 2.5L 6cyl 5M | RWD | 16.6 gal63 L | 18 / 27 | 299 / 448 mi | |
| 325i Rwd 4dr Sport Wagon 2.5L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 18 / 27Range 299 / 448 mi | 2.5L 6cyl 5M | RWD | 16.6 gal63 L | 18 / 27 | 299 / 448 mi | |
| 325xi AWD 4dr Sedan 2.5L 6cyl 5M · AWD MPG 17 / 25Range 282 / 415 mi | 2.5L 6cyl 5M | AWD | 16.6 gal63 L | 17 / 25 | 282 / 415 mi | |
| 325xi AWD 4dr Sport Wagon 2.5L 6cyl 5M · AWD MPG 17 / 24Range 282 / 398 mi | 2.5L 6cyl 5M | AWD | 16.6 gal63 L | 17 / 24 | 282 / 398 mi | |
| 330Ci Rwd 2dr Convertible 3.0L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 17 / 26Range 282 / 432 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 5M | RWD | 16.6 gal63 L | 17 / 26 | 282 / 432 mi | |
| 330Ci Rwd 2dr Coupe 3.0L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 18 / 27Range 299 / 448 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 5M | RWD | 16.6 gal63 L | 18 / 27 | 299 / 448 mi | |
| 330i Rwd 4dr Sedan 3.0L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 18 / 27Range 299 / 448 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 5M | RWD | 16.6 gal63 L | 18 / 27 | 299 / 448 mi | |
| 330i Rwd 4dr Sedan 3.0L 6cyl 6M · RWD MPG 18 / 27Range 299 / 448 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 6M | RWD | 16.6 gal63 L | 18 / 27 | 299 / 448 mi | |
| 330xi AWD 4dr Sedan 3.0L 6cyl 5M · AWD MPG 18 / 25Range 299 / 415 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 5M | AWD | 16.6 gal63 L | 18 / 25 | 299 / 415 mi | |
| 330xi AWD 4dr Sedan 3.0L 6cyl 6M · AWD MPG 18 / 27Range 299 / 448 mi | 3.0L 6cyl 6M | AWD | 16.6 gal63 L | 18 / 27 | 299 / 448 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 2003 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 16.6-gallon tank covers about 349 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 16.6 | 448 | 299 |
| 3/4 | 12.5 | 336 | 224 |
| 1/2 | 8.3 | 224 | 149 |
| 1/4 | 4.2 | 112 | 75 |
| 1/8 | 2.1 | 56 | 37 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 714 gallons, roughly 43 full tanks.
In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 25.9 MPG in the 3 Series (16 drivers), about 430 miles on a full 16.6-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
- 19–22 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 404–468 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 2003 BMW 3 Series
$87.65 to fill the 16.6-gallon tank from empty with premium, at this week's US average of $5.28 a gallon.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.6 gal | Premium | $5.28 | $87.65 | $65.74 |
By region, 16.6-gallon tank
| Region | Premium / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.93 | $81.84 |
| Midwest | $5.37 | $89.14 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $4.57 | $75.86 |
| Rocky Mountain | $5.12 | $84.99 |
| West Coast | $6.08 | $100.93 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $6.36 | $105.58 |
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
- 16.6-gallon tank$87.65
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,771
Starts at the US average for premium; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
3 Series tank size in other years
The 2003 3 Series uses the same 16.6 gal tank as every 3 Series since 2000.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 3 Series | 16.1 gal | 451 mi |
| 2007 3 Series | 16.1 gal | 451 mi |
| 2006 3 Series | 15.9–16.6 gal | 465 mi |
| 2005 3 Series | 16.6 gal | 448 mi |
| 2004 3 Series | 16.6 gal | 448 mi |
| 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 |
- 2026
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2003 BMW 3 Series vs similar 2003 sedans
At 16.6 gallons, the 3 Series's largest tank ranks fifth of the seven 2003 sedans compared here. The Volvo S60 carries the most (18.5 gal) and the Jaguar X-Type the least (16.0 gal).
| 2003 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Volvo S60 | 18.5 gal | 500 mi |
| Audi A4 | 17.4–18.5 gal | 537 mi |
| Lexus IS 300 | 17.5 gal | 403 mi |
| Saab 9-3 | 16.4–16.9 gal | 490 mi |
| BMW 3 Series | 16.6 gal | 448 mi |
| Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 16.4 gal | 459 mi |
| Jaguar X-Type | 16.0 gal | 400 mi |
Other 2003 sedans of a similar size, one model per brand.
2003 BMW 3 Series fuel system recalls
None of the 7 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2003 BMW 3 Series involve the fuel system.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2003 BMW 3 Series?
The 2003 BMW 3 Series holds 16.6 gallons (63 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 2003 BMW 3 Series gas tank hold?
The 2003 BMW 3 Series tank holds 63 liters, or 16.6 gallons in US gallons.
Does AWD change the 2003 BMW 3 Series gas tank?
No. RWD and AWD versions of the 2003 BMW 3 Series use the same 16.6 gal tank.
How far can a 2003 BMW 3 Series go on a full tank?
About 398–448 miles on the highway and 282–299 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 2003 BMW 3 Series go on a quarter tank?
About 112 highway miles or 75 in town from the 16.6-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.2 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
How many miles does a 2003 BMW 3 Series really get on a tank?
Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 25.9 MPG in the 2003 BMW 3 Series (16 drivers), which works out to about 430 miles on a full 16.6-gallon tank.
What gas does the 2003 BMW 3 Series take?
Premium unleaded (required). The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 2003 BMW 3 Series?
At the US average of $5.28 a gallon for premium (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 16.6-gallon tank from empty costs $87.65. It ranges from $75.86 in the Gulf Coast to $105.58 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2003 BMW 3 Series?
About 103 pounds for the 16.6-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 2003 BMW 3 Series have a bigger gas tank than the Mercedes-Benz C-Class?
Yes. The 2003 BMW 3 Series holds up to 16.6 gallons; the 2003 Mercedes-Benz C-Class holds up to 16.4.
Has the 2003 BMW 3 Series had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 7 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2003 BMW 3 Series involve the fuel system.
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.