Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 318TI.
The 1998 BMW 318TI rides BMW's E36 platform and pairs with a four-speed automatic, returning EPA fuel-economy ratings of 20 city, 28 highway, and 23 combined mpg; routine oil service calls for 5.3 quarts of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ oil. Within the 1995–1999 model run, the 1998 model year carries the heaviest owner-reported complaint load at 17, against a low of one for 1997, with zero recalls and visibility flagged as the top concern area. For researchers, that makes 1998 the defining model year for examining 318TI problem patterns, even though the overall complaint volume remains small.
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 a BCI 91 · 600 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11421716192. 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 | 11421716192 |
| Engine air filter | 13721247404 |
| Fuel filter | 13321740985 |
| Spark plug | 12129063428 |
| Front wiper blades | 61611387678 alt 61611380759 |
| Serpentine belt | 11281743193 alt 11281437369 |
| Thermostat | 11531743179 alt 11531743017 |
| Cabin air filter | 64312339892 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 165.7 in |
| Overall width | 66.9 in |
| Overall height | 54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 2778 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 54.7 / 54.3 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 53/47 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 20 / 28 / 23 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.3 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.4 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.3 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 86 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 22.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 16 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Ignition Coil Primary Resistance | 0.4-0.8 ohms |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.76-2.26 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Capacity | 4.05-5.06 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 91 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 600 cca |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum | 51.0-58.0 @ idle psi |
| Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum | 65.0-97.0 psi |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 15-17 ohms |
| Engine Compression | 142-156 psi |
| Brake Application | WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 49 ft-lbs / 81-96 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Brake Application | WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.409 in / 0.331 in / 0.803 in / 0.685 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs., Step 1: 4 ft. lbs., Step 3: 70 | 4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 14.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 50 | 14.5 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
In the 1995‑1999 window, complaint volumes were lowest in 1995 (3) and 1997 (1), rose to 8 in 1996, peaked at 17 in 1998, then fell back to 1 in 1999. Recall activity was present each year from 1995 through 1997 (one recall each) but dropped to zero in both 1998 and 1999. Technical service bulletins followed a similar pattern, increasing from 1 in 1995 to 3 in 1996‑1997, reaching a high of 7 in 1998, then declining to 2 in 1999. The 1998 model year therefore sits at the apex of both complaint and TSB counts while lacking any recalls, indicating a period of heightened field reports without corresponding manufacturer‑initiated recalls. Given this spike in reported issues relative to adjacent years, a prospective buyer should treat a 1998 BMW 318TI with extra scrutiny and consider a comprehensive pre‑purchase inspection before deciding it is a good purchase.
All 17 complaints on record, top 8 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 5 of 7 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. |
| 000699 | 1999-08-01 | Unknown Or Other | SUBJECT REGARDING 1998 FINAL EDITION ETM. *TT |
| 61 14 98 | 1998-11-01 | Electrical System | SUBJECT ON EWS3D CODING NOT POSSIBLE. *YC |
| 72 04 98 | 1998-10-01 | Air Bags | INFORMATION ON NEW AIRBAGS. *YC |
| 51 02 98 | 1998-09-01 | Structure | REAR LID IS DIFFICULT TO OPEN. *YC |
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.
5.3 qt of HIGH PERFORMANCE MINERAL OILS: ABOVE 5 degrees F: 15W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, -5 degreesF TO 68 degrees F: 10W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, 5 degreesF TO 50 degrees F: 10W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 50 degrees F: 5W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 32 degrees F:, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 20 city / 28 highway / 23 combined mpg.