1996 BMW M3 Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
16.4gal · 62 L
The 1996 BMW M3 has a fuel tank capacity of 16.4 gallons (62 liters).
A full tank is good for roughly 426 highway miles or 295 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
16.4 gal · Smaller than 70% of 1996 models we list.
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1996 BMW M3 fuel tank capacity by trim
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Coupe 3.2L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 18 / 26Range 295 / 426 mi | 3.2L 6cyl 5M | RWD | 16.4 gal62 L | 18 / 26 | 295 / 426 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 1996 BMW M3 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 | 426 | 295 |
| 3/4 | 12.3 | 320 | 221 |
| 1/2 | 8.2 | 213 | 148 |
| 1/4 | 4.1 | 107 | 74 |
| 1/8 | 2.1 | 53 | 37 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 714 gallons, roughly 44 full tanks.
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
- 21 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 423 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 1996 BMW M3
$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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16.4 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $70.03 | $52.52 |
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
- 16.4-gallon tank$70.03
- 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.
M3 tank size in other years
The tank changed for 1996: 16.4 gal, down from 17.2 gal on the 1995 M3.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 M3 | 16.6 gal | 365 mi |
| 2002 M3 | 16.6 gal | Not rated |
| 2001 M3 | 16.6 gal | 365 mi |
| 1998 M3 | 16.4 gal | 426 mi |
| 1997 M3 | 16.4 gal | 426 mi |
| 1996 M3 | 16.4 gal | 426 mi |
| 1995 M3 | 17.2 gal | 430 mi |
| 1991 M3 | 14.5 gal | 377 mi |
| 1990 M3 | 14.5 gal | 377 mi |
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1996 BMW M3 vs similar 1996 sedans
The M3 has the smallest tank of the three 1996 sedans compared here: 16.4 gallons, against 19.4 for the Porsche 911.
| 1996 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Porsche 911 | 19.4 gal | 446 mi |
| Acura NSX | 18.5 gal | 407 mi |
| BMW M3 | 16.4 gal | 426 mi |
Other 1996 sedans of a similar size, one model per brand.
1996 BMW M3 fuel system recalls
None of the 1 recall NHTSA lists for the 1996 BMW M3 involve the fuel system.
1996 BMW M3 fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 1996 BMW M3, so a failed pump or gauge is a normal repair. These are the part numbers the makers list for it.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 1996 BMW M3?
The 1996 BMW M3 holds 16.4 gallons (62 liters).
How many gallons and liters does the 1996 BMW M3 gas tank hold?
The 1996 BMW M3 tank holds 62 liters, or 16.4 gallons in US gallons.
How far can a 1996 BMW M3 go on a full tank?
About 426 miles on the highway and 295 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 1996 BMW M3 go on a quarter tank?
About 107 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.
What gas does the 1996 BMW M3 take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 1996 BMW M3?
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 1996 BMW M3?
About 102 pounds for the 16.4-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 1996 BMW M3 have a bigger gas tank than the Porsche 911?
No. The 1996 Porsche 911 holds up to 19.4 gallons; the 1996 BMW M3 holds up to 16.4.
Has the 1996 BMW M3 had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 1 recall NHTSA lists for the 1996 BMW M3 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).
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