Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 30,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1985 318I - E30.
The 1985 BMW 318i rides the E30 platform and specifies a 4.2-quart oil fill of 20W-50, 15W-50, or 10W-50 API SL lubricant. Reliability data shows zero recalls and only eight total owner complaints, with the fuel system representing the primary area of concern. This places the model year near the favorable end of the E30 reliability spectrum, suggesting a relatively stable ownership experience for researchers evaluating this chassis.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 11421276850. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Engine oil filter | 11421276850 |
| Engine air filter | 13721278138 |
| Fuel filter | 13321268231 |
| Spark plug | 12121272128 |
| Front wiper blades | 61611387678 |
| Serpentine belt | 32421717953 alt 11231721408 |
| Thermostat | 11537511580 alt 11531721218 |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.2 qt of 20W-50 / 15W-50 / 10W-50 API SL engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | GL-5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 20W-50 · API · 15W-50 · 10W-50 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.2 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 30,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 1985 BMW 318I - E30 dominate in one area — the fuel system, gasoline, 3 of 8 reports (38%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the fuel system, gasoline pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 8 complaints on record, top 4 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
Showing 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B510819 | 2024-01-16 | Electrical System | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.2 qt of 14 degrees F TO 122 degrees F: 20W-50 API SL OR GREATER, -4 degrees F TO 104 degrees F: 15W-50 API SL, -22 degrees F TO 68 degrees F: 10W-50 API SL OR GREATER, -40 degrees F TO 23 degrees F: 5W-30 API SL OR GREATER, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.