BMW325CI2002Overview/bmw/325ci/2002/base/
E46 platform

2002 BMW 325CI

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 325CI.

Transmission Automatic (S5)

The 2002 BMW 325CI is an E46-platform model fitted with the five-speed automatic (S5) transmission, carrying EPA ratings of 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. Its routine engine service calls for 7.0 quarts of oil in 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 viscosities, all meeting API SJ standards. Within the E46 generation, this model year stands as a defined reference point for researchers tracking its factory drivetrain and maintenance specifications.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJOEM · verified
Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/24/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 640 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11421741000. 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.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 640 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size205-55R16; Sport Package: 225-45R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J; Sport Package: 8-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11421741000 alt 11421719855
Engine air filter13721730449
Fuel filter13327512019
Spark plug12129071003 alt 12120037607
Battery61216924021 alt 61218381749
Front wiper blades61617004901 alt 61612458347
Thermostat11537509357 alt 11537509227
Cabin air filter64319216590 alt 64318370409

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176.8 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height53.9 in
Wheelbase107.5 in
Curb weight3560 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 58.3 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 24 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.0 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 M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.6 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity7.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts302 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts85 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.8 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.58-1.69 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance640 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance15-17 ohms
Engine Compression142-156 psi
Engine Oil Pressure10.5
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH HIGH PERFORMANCE BRAKES / WITH STANDARD
Torque Caliper to Bracket18-22 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs / 49 ft-lbs / 81-96 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Brake ApplicationWITH HIGH PERFORMANCE BRAKES / WITH STANDARD
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.921 in / 0.803 in / 0.685 in
Rotor Finish0.5 - 3.5 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7014 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
129.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114-18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 5014–18 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi.

Every 100,000 miOxygen Sensor (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V018000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 15/01/2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at…

15V318000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 28/05/2015

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 325CI. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 325CI take?

7.0 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.

Does the 2002 325CI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 325CI get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.