Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) · Timing Belt (inspect) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1991 325I xDrive.
The 1991 BMW 325I xDrive represents the rare all-wheel-drive iteration of the iconic E30 platform, a passenger car that blended the model’s signature rear-drive dynamics with added traction courtesy of its automatic 4-speed transmission and viscous-coupling xDrive system. Under the hood, its inline-six engine sipped oil at a modest 4.5-quart capacity while delivering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 17 city, 20 highway, and 18 combined MPG—figures that reflected the era’s priorities rather than outright efficiency. With just 11 owner complaints filed, primarily centered on airbag systems, and three official recalls, this model year stands as one of the more dependable entries in the E30’s later production run, offering researchers a relatively trouble-free snapshot of BMW’s early all-wheel-drive experimentation.
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 11421707779. 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 | 11421707779 |
| Engine air filter | 13721720861 |
| Fuel filter | 13321268231 |
| Spark plug | 12129061869 |
| Front wiper blades | 61611387678 |
| Serpentine belt | 32421706597 alt 64551722991 |
| Thermostat | 11531710953 alt 11531265084 |
| Cabin air filter | 64311394093 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 175.6 in |
| Overall width | 65 in |
| Overall height | 53.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.2 in |
| Curb weight | 3056 lb |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 17 / 20 / 18 mpg |
| Drivetrain | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 81 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.5 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | GL-5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.4 Pints |
| Differential Gear Oil | GL-5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 3.6 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.5 qt |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) · Timing Belt (inspect) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 1991 BMW 325I xDrive lead in one area — the air bags, 2 of 11 reports (18%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags 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 11 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 10 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. |
| SI B63 02 08 | 2008-05-01 | Exterior Lighting | REAR BULB FAILURE. MODEL E92 (3 SERIES COUPE) VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO JANUARY 21, 2008… |
| SI B11 13 07 | 2008-04-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | N54 RATTLE NOISE FROM TURBOCHARGER AREA. MODELS E90, E92 AND E93 (3 SERIES) 335I AND… |
| SI B12 01 08 | 2008-01-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | N52 EDK THROTTLE JAMMING FAULTS 2D09, 2CED AND 2CEC. MODEL E90 AND E91 (3 SERIES) AND E60… |
| 120405 | 2006-03-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED AND/OR VEHICLE OVERHEATS. BMW E90 (3 SERIES) ALL E90 (3… |
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.
4.5 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 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 17 city / 20 highway / 18 combined mpg.