1997 BMW Z3 Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
13.5gal · 51 L
The 1997 BMW Z3 has a fuel tank capacity of 13.5 gallons (51 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 338–392 highway miles or 230–270 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
13.5 gal · Smaller than 90% of 1997 models we list.
- By trim
- Gas cap & parts
- Fuel essentials
- Miles per tank
- Fill-up cost
- Other years
- Fuel recalls
- Pump & gauge parts
- FAQ
1997 BMW Z3 fuel tank capacity by trim
What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table
- Engine
- no difference
All 2 trims
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 2dr Convertible 1.9L 4cyl 5M · RWD MPG 20 / 29Range 270 / 392 mi | 1.9L 4cyl 5M | RWD | 13.5 gal51 L | 20 / 29 | 270 / 392 mi | |
| 2.8 2dr Convertible 2.8L 6cyl 5M · RWD MPG 17 / 25Range 230 / 338 mi | 2.8L 6cyl 5M | RWD | 13.5 gal51 L | 17 / 25 | 230 / 338 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 1997 BMW Z3 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 23 MPG, a full 13.5-gallon tank covers about 311 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 13.5 | 392 | 270 |
| 3/4 | 10.1 | 294 | 203 |
| 1/2 | 6.8 | 196 | 135 |
| 1/4 | 3.4 | 98 | 68 |
| 1/8 | 1.7 | 49 | 34 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 652 gallons, roughly 48 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
- 20–24 MPG
- Tailpipe CO2
- 370–444 g/mi
- Source
- EPA ratings
What it costs to fill up a 1997 BMW Z3
$57.64 to fill the 13.5-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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13.5 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $57.64 | $43.23 |
By region, 13.5-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $54.27 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $57.64 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $49.95 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $60.21 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $73.17 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $79.52 |
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
- 13.5-gallon tank$57.64
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$2,785
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Z3 tank size in other years
The 1997 Z3 uses the same 13.5 gal tank as the 1996 model.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 Z3 | 13.5 gal | 351 mi |
| 2001 Z3 | 13.5 gal | 351 mi |
| 2000 Z3 | 13.5 gal | 338 mi |
| 1999 Z3 | 13.5 gal | 338 mi |
| 1998 Z3 | 13.5 gal | 392 mi |
| 1997 Z3 | 13.5 gal | 392 mi |
| 1996 Z3 | 13.5 gal | 392 mi |
1997 BMW Z3 fuel system recalls
None of the 1 recall NHTSA lists for the 1997 BMW Z3 involve the fuel system.
1997 BMW Z3 fuel pump and gauge parts
NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 1997 BMW Z3, 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 1997 BMW Z3?
The 1997 BMW Z3 holds 13.5 gallons (51 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 1997 BMW Z3 gas tank hold?
The 1997 BMW Z3 tank holds 51 liters, or 13.5 gallons in US gallons.
How far can a 1997 BMW Z3 go on a full tank?
About 338–392 miles on the highway and 230–270 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 1997 BMW Z3 go on a quarter tank?
About 98 highway miles or 68 in town from the 13.5-gallon tank, which has roughly 3.4 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
What gas does the 1997 BMW Z3 take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 1997 BMW Z3?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 13.5-gallon tank from empty costs $57.64. It ranges from $49.95 in the Gulf Coast to $79.52 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 1997 BMW Z3?
About 84 pounds for the 13.5-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Has the 1997 BMW Z3 had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 1 recall NHTSA lists for the 1997 BMW Z3 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.