The fuel tank capacity of BMWs ranges from 10.6 gallons up to a whopping 21.9 gallons. In a nutshell, the average BMW fuel tank sizes by category are as follows:
- BMW Sedans and Coupes: 10.6 – 20.6 gallons
- BMW Convertibles: 13.7 – 20.1 gallons
- BMW SUVs: 16.1 – 21.9 gallons
If you want to find out more about the average BMW fuel capacities, this post is for you.
We at PowerSportsGuide have compiled some of the most popular models into one chart!
What is the Fuel Capacity on a BMW?
How Many Gallons Does a BMW Car Hold?
As a rule of thumb, a BMW car can hold 10.6 – 20.6 gallons of gas, depending on the model. The smallest BMW tanks are fitted in hybrid sedans like the 330e or the 745e xDrive. These cells offer a capacity of 10.6-12.2 gallons. On the other end of the spectrum, you can find the most powerful 7-series sedans with a fuel capacity of 20.6 gallons.
Examples:
- 2022 BMW 330e: 10.6 gallons
- 2022 BMW 745e xDrive 12.2 gallons
- 2022 BMW 228i Gran Coupe: 15.6 gallons
- 2022 BMW 430i Gran Coupe: 15.6 gallons
- 2022 BMW 530i xDrive: 18 gallons
- 2022 BMW 530i: 18 gallons
- 2022 BMW 540i xDrive: 18 gallons
- 2022 BMW 540i: 18 gallons
- 2022 BMW M5 Sedan: 20.1 gallons
- 2022 BMW M5 CS: 20.1 gallons
- 2022 BMW M3 Sedan: 15.6 gallons
- 2022 BMW M340i: 15.6 gallons
- 2022 BMW M340i xDrive: 15.6 gallons
- 2022 BMW 740i: 20.6 gallons
- 2022 BMW M760i xDrive: 20.6 gallons
How Many Gallons Does a BMW Convertible Hold?
BMW convertibles are manufactured with 13.7-20.1-gallon fuel tanks. The sporty Z4 roadster houses a 13.7-gallon fuel tank, while the more powerful M8 Competition Convertible has a fuel capacity of 20.1 gallons. In between the two extremes, most BMW convertibles come with a 15.6-gallon fuel tank.
Examples:
- BMW Z4 M540i Convertible: 13.7 gallons
- 2022 BMW M440i Convertible: 15.6 gallons
- 2022 BMW 430i Convertible: 15.6 gallons
- 2022 BMW M4 Competition xDrive: 15.6 gallons
- 2022 BMW M8 Competition Convertible: 20.1 gallons
How Many Gallons Does a BMW SUV Hold?
As expected, you can find the largest fuel tanks in the SUV category. Generally speaking, a BMW SUV can hold 16.1-21.9 gallons of gas depending on the model.
Examples:
- 2022 BMW X1 sDrive28i: 16.1 gallons
- 2022 BMW X2 M35i: 16.1 gallons
- 2022 BMW X3 sDrive30i: 17.2 gallons
- 2022 BMW X4 xDrive30i: 17.2 gallons
- 2022 BMW X5 sDrive40i: 21.9 gallons
- 2022 BMW X6 xDrive40i: 21.9 gallons
- 2022 BMW X7 xDrive40i: 21.9 gallons
BMW Fuel Tank Sizes [Chart]
For your convenience, we’ve compiled the fuel tank sizes of the most popular BMW models into one chart:
| Year | Model | Fuel Tank Capacity (gal) |
| 2022 | BMW X5 M | 21.9 |
| 2022 | BMW X7 xDrive40i | 21.9 |
| 2022 | BMW XB7 Alpina | 21.9 |
| 2022 | BMW 740i | 20.6 |
| 2022 | BMW M760i xDrive | 20.6 |
| 2022 | BMW M5 | 20.1 |
| 2022 | BMW M8 Coupe | 20.1 |
| 2020 | BMW M8 Convertible | 20.1 |
| 2022 | BMW 550i Xdrive | 18.0 |
| 2022 | BMW 540i | 18.0 |
| 2013 | BMW 335i Coupe | 18.0 |
| 2022 | BMW X6 M | 18.0 |
| 2022 | BMW X3 M40i | 17.2 |
| 2022 | BMW X4 M40i | 17.2 |
| 2022 | BMW X2 M35i | 16.1 |
| 2022 | BMW X1 sDrive28i | 16.1 |
| 2022 | BMW 330i | 15.6 |
| 2022 | BMW M3 | 15.6 |
| 2022 | BMW 430i Gran Coupe | 15.6 |
| 2022 | BMW 228i Gran Coupe | 15.6 |
| 2022 | BMW M4 Coupe | 15.6 |
| 2013 | BMW 328i Coupe xDrive | 15.6 |
| 2022 | BMW M4 Convertible | 15.6 |
| 2022 | BMW M440i Convertible | 15.6 |
| 2022 | BMW 430i Convertible | 15.6 |
| 2022 | BMW M2 Coupe | 13.7 |
| 2020 | BMW Z4 M540i Convertible | 13.7 |
| 2019 | BMW M140i | 13.7 |
| 2018 | BMW 125i | 13.7 |
| 2020 | BMW M135i | 11.4 |
| 2020 | BMW 1 F40 | 11.1 |
| 2021 | BMW 118i | 11.1 |
| 2022 | BMW i3 | 2.4 |
This chart is for informational purposes only! For exact specifications, please refer to the factory manual.
FAQs About BMW Fuel Tank Sizes
How Many Gallons of Gas Does a BMW Hold?
Simply put, the fuel tank sizes of BMWs range from 10.6 gallons up to 21.9 gallons. The hybrid cars share the smallest, 10.6 and 12.1-gallon tanks, while the largest 21.9-gallon fuel tank is fitted in flagship SUV models.
What is the Fuel Capacity of the BMW 3 Series?
It’s safe to say that every BMW M3 model is equipped with a 15.6-gallon fuel tank.
Examples:
- 2022 BMW M3 Sedan: 15.6 gallons
- 2022 BMW M340i: 15.6 gallons
- 2022 BMW M340i xDrive: 15.6 gallons
What is the Fuel Capacity of the BMW 5 Series?
The fuel capacity of the BMW 5 series ranges from 12.1 gallons up to 20.1 gallons, but the majority of these cars come with an 18-gallon fuel cell.
Examples:
- 2022 BMW 530e: 12.1 gallons
- 2022 BMW 530i xDrive: 18 gallons
- 2022 BMW 530i: 18 gallons
- 2022 BMW 540i xDrive: 18 gallons
- 2022 BMW 540i: 18 gallons
- 2022 BMW M5 Sedan: 20.1 gallons
- 2022 BMW M5 CS: 20.1 gallons
What is the Fuel Capacity of the BMW 7 Series?
The fuel capacity of BMW 7 models is uniformly 20.6 gallons, except the hybrid 745e xDrive. The latter has a tiny, 12.2-gallon fuel tank.
Examples:
- 2022 BMW 745e xDrive 12.2 gallons
- 2022 BMW 740i: 20.6 gallons
- 2022 BMW M760i xDrive: 20.6 gallons
- 2022 BMW M760i xDrive: 20.6 gallons
- 2022 BMW ALPINA B7 xDrive: 20.6 gallons
What Does Fuel Reserve Mean on a BMW?
Contrary to popular belief, BMWs don’t feature a separate reserve tank. Instead, the fuel reserve on a BMW indicates that the fuel level is low in the tank. This amount of gas is automatically available without any additional settings.
In other words, this feature is only intended to warn you about the low level of fuel.
How Big is the BMW Reserve Capacity?
The reserve on BMWs typically means 2.1-3.2 gallons of gas remaining in the tank. Again, this doesn’t mean an additional fuel capacity as the fuel tank capacity includes reserve fuel.
Once the fuel level drops to this point, a reserve light appears to let you know it’s time to fill up the tank.
Are you wondering how much it costs to fill up a BMW? Keep reading!
How Much Does It Cost to Fill up a BMW?
Suppose gas costs $3.20 a gallon; it would cost you about $35-70 to fill up a BMW. For your convenience, we’ve compiled the most common BMW gas tank sizes and the cost of refueling into one chart.
| BMW Fuel Tank Capacity (gal) | Gas Price: $2.5 | Gas Price: $3 | Gas Price: $3.5 | Gas Price: $4 | Gas Price: $4.5 | Gas Price: $5 |
| 21.9 | $55 | $66 | $77 | $88 | $99 | $110 |
| 20.6 | $52 | $62 | $72 | $82 | $93 | $103 |
| 20.1 | $50 | $60 | $70 | $80 | $90 | $101 |
| 18.0 | $45 | $54 | $63 | $72 | $81 | $90 |
| 17.2 | $43 | $52 | $60 | $69 | $77 | $86 |
| 16.1 | $40 | $48 | $56 | $64 | $72 | $81 |
| 15.6 | $39 | $47 | $55 | $62 | $70 | $78 |
| 13.7 | $34 | $41 | $48 | $55 | $62 | $69 |
| 11.1 | $28 | $33 | $39 | $44 | $50 | $56 |
| 2.4 | $6 | $7 | $8 | $10 | $11 | $12 |
(Considered gas price in the rest of the article: $3.20)
How Much Does It Cost to Fill Up a BMW 1 Series?
Since these cars are equipped with an 11-14-gallon fuel tank, it cost about $35-$45 to refill a BMW 1 series.
How Much Does It Cost to Fill Up a BMW 3 Series?
BMW 3 series has a 15.6-gallon fuel tank which costs about $50 to fill up.
How Much Does It Cost to Fill Up a BMW 5 Series?
BMW 5 series utilize 18-20.1-gallon fuel tanks, costing approximately $58-$65 to fill up.
How Much Does It Cost to Fill Up a BMW 7 Series?
Filling the tank from empty costs about $66 on a BMW 7 series since these cars come with a 20.6-gallon fuel tank. (Considered gas price: $3.20)
How Much Does It Cost to Fill Up a BMW 530i?
The BMW 530i has an 18-gallon fuel tank, so be prepared to pay about $58 at the pump.
How Much Does It Cost to Fill Up a BMW 328i?
The BMW 328i has a fuel capacity of 15.8 gallons, which costs about $50 to fill up.
How Much Does It Cost to Fill Up a BMW X1?
The smallest BMW SUV, the X1 is manufactured with a 16.1-gallon fuel tank, which could be filled up for about $52.
How Much Does It Cost to Fill Up a BMW X3?
You can find a 17.2-gallon fuel tank in the BMW X3, which costs about $55 to fill up.
How Much Does It Cost to Fill Up a BMW X5?
Be prepared to pay about a whopping $70 at the pump if you want to fill up a BMW X5.
How Much Does It Cost to Fill Up a BMW i8?
You can fill up a BMW i8 for only $35, thanks to its small 11.1 fuel tank.
Takeaway – About BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG, commonly known as BMW is a German luxury car and motorcycle manufacturer. The European company was founded in 1916 and headquartered in Munich, Germany. BMW was established as an aircraft engine manufacturer and entered the automotive market in 1928.
Along with Mercedes-Benz and Audi, BMW is also considered part of the “Big German 3”. These companies are the best-selling luxury brands in the automotive market each year.
BMW offers cars under Mini, Rolls-Royce, BMW brand names, and motorcycles under the brand of BMW Motorrad.
The manufacturer is also a well-known name in motorsport, as it has competed in races from Formula 1 to the Isle of Man TT.
Disclaimer: Any specifications in this article are intended to be for general informational purposes only. For exact specifications, please visit the manufacturer’s website.
References: BMW USA, Auto-data.net, Ultimate Specs
