2005 BMW M3 Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
16.6gal · 63 L
The 2005 BMW M3 has a fuel tank capacity of 16.6 gallons (63 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 349–365 highway miles or 232–249 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
16.6 gal · Smaller than 74% of 2005 models we list.
- By trim
- Gas cap & parts
- Fuel essentials
- Miles per tank
- Fill-up cost
- Other years
- Compared
- Fuel recalls
- Pump & gauge parts
- FAQ
2005 BMW M3 fuel tank capacity by trim
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2dr Convertible 3.2L 6cyl 6M · RWD MPG 14 / 21Range 232 / 349 mi | 3.2L 6cyl 6M | RWD | 16.6 gal63 L | 14 / 21 | 232 / 349 mi | |
| 2dr Coupe 3.2L 6cyl 6M · RWD MPG 15 / 22Range 249 / 365 mi | 3.2L 6cyl 6M | RWD | 16.6 gal63 L | 15 / 22 | 249 / 365 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 2005 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 17 MPG, a full 16.6-gallon tank covers about 282 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 16.6 | 349 | 232 |
| 3/4 | 12.5 | 261 | 174 |
| 1/2 | 8.3 | 174 | 116 |
| 1/4 | 4.2 | 87 | 58 |
| 1/8 | 2.1 | 44 | 29 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 882 gallons, roughly 53 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
- 17 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 523 g/mi
- Gas guzzler tax
- Yes
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 2005 BMW M3
$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)$4,659
Starts at the US average for premium; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
M3 tank size in other years
The 2005 M3 uses the same 16.6 gal tank as every M3 since 2001.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 M3 | 16.6 gal | 332 mi |
| 2010 M3 | 16.6 gal | 332 mi |
| 2009 M3 | 16.6 gal | 332 mi |
| 2008 M3 | 16.6 gal | 332 mi |
| 2006 M3 | 16.6 gal | 365 mi |
| 2005 M3 | 16.6 gal | 365 mi |
| 2004 M3 | 16.6 gal | 365 mi |
| 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 |
- 2027
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2005 BMW M3 vs similar 2005 sedans
At 16.6 gallons, the M3's largest tank ranks third of the five 2005 sedans compared here. The Lexus SC 430 carries the most (19.8 gal) and the Saab 9-3 the least (16.4 gal).
| 2005 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Lexus SC 430 | 19.8 gal | 436 mi |
| Cadillac XLR | 18.0 gal | 414 mi |
| BMW M3 | 16.6 gal | 365 mi |
| Mercedes-Benz CLK-Class | 16.4 gal | 426 mi |
| Saab 9-3 | 16.4 gal | 476 mi |
Other 2005 sedans of a similar size, one model per brand.
2005 BMW M3 fuel system recalls
None of the 3 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2005 BMW M3 involve the fuel system.
2005 BMW M3 fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 2005 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 2005 BMW M3?
The 2005 BMW M3 holds 16.6 gallons (63 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 2005 BMW M3 gas tank hold?
The 2005 BMW M3 tank holds 63 liters, or 16.6 gallons in US gallons.
How far can a 2005 BMW M3 go on a full tank?
About 349–365 miles on the highway and 232–249 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 2005 BMW M3 go on a quarter tank?
About 87 highway miles or 58 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.
What gas does the 2005 BMW M3 take?
Premium unleaded (required). The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 2005 BMW M3?
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 2005 BMW M3?
About 103 pounds for the 16.6-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 2005 BMW M3 have a bigger gas tank than the Lexus SC 430?
No. The 2005 Lexus SC 430 holds up to 19.8 gallons; the 2005 BMW M3 holds up to 16.6.
Has the 2005 BMW M3 had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 3 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2005 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).
Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.