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 1989 325i.
The 1989 BMW 325i features a 4-speed automatic transmission and an EPA fuel economy rating of 16/21/18 mpg, requiring 4.5 quarts of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ engine oil. This model year is characterized by high reliability, recording zero recalls and only eight total owner complaints, with the primary issue being vehicle speed control. This stability stands in contrast to the model's broader history from 1990 to 2012, which saw complaint volumes fluctuate from a low of one in 2000 to a peak of 155 in 2001.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 176.8 in |
| Overall width | 65 in |
| Overall height | 54.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.2 in |
| Curb weight | 2895 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 55.1 / 54.7 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 53/47 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 16 / 21 / 18 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the 325i of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 325 325i sedan 2.5L I-6 | 7.50 sec | 15.50 sec | 168 hp | RWD |
| 1988 | 325 325is Coupe 2.5L I-6 | 7.10 sec | 15.40 sec | 168 hp | RWD |
| 1988 | 325 325is Coupe 2.5L I-6 | 7.50 sec | 15.70 sec | 168 hp | RWD |
| 1988 | 325 325iX Coupe 2.5L I-6 | 7.80 sec | 15.90 sec | 168 hp | AWD |
| 1988 | 325 325iX Coupe 2.5L I-6 | 8.30 sec | 16.10 sec | 168 hp | AWD |
| 1987 | 325 325is Coupe 2.5L I-6 | 7.40 sec | 15.60 sec | 168 hp | RWD |
| 1987 | 325 325i Convertible 2.5L I-6 | 7.70 sec | 15.70 sec | 168 hp | RWD |
| 1987 | 325 325i Convertible 2.5L I-6 | 8.90 sec | 16.10 sec | 168 hp | RWD |
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 | 3.6 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.5 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
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.
The provided federal record does not include a 1989 entry; the earliest year documented is 1990. However, the data reveals a clear pattern across the early 1990s: complaints were moderate in 1990-1991 (11-13), then spiked dramatically in 1992 to 86 complaints and 10 recalls—nearly triple the prior year's figures—before subsiding somewhat in 1993-1994. This suggests that the 1992 model year suffered from a significant quality or design issue that prompted widespread regulatory attention. The 1989 model, being one generation earlier than the 1990 baseline, would logically precede this escalation of problems. The top complaint areas for the target year include vehicle speed control and fuel system issues, with one crash complaint recorded. **Takeaway:** While concrete 1989 data is absent, the trend indicates that earlier model years in this generation experienced fewer complaints than the problematic 1992-1993 period, making 1989 potentially a safer bet within this generation—though the lack of direct federal record for 1989 limits definitive certainty.
All 8 complaints on record, top 7 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.
4.5 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 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined mpg.