Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Timing Belt (inspect) |
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 325i.
The 1995 BMW 325i is a compact executive passenger car powered by the brand's renowned inline-six engine, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and requiring 7.0 quarts of oil with a viscosity rating of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 meeting API SJ specifications, while achieving EPA fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined; the vehicle was subject to six recalls during its production cycle, with owner complaints totaling 71 incidents—primarily concerning air bag systems—placing this model year within the broader complaint history spanning 1990 to 2012, where it sits well below the peak of 155 complaints recorded in 2001 yet notably above the trough of just one complaint in 2000, suggesting moderate but not insignificant reliability concerns relative to the model's later and earlier production years.
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 92 · 575 CCA battery. 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, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 174.4 in |
| Overall width | 67.3 in |
| Overall height | 53.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3351 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 55.5 / 55.5 in |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 18 / 26 / 20 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 325 325i Convertible (Sport) 2.5L I-6 | 7.90 sec | 16.00 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
| 1995 | 325 325i Sedan 2.5L I-6 | 8.00 sec | 16.10 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
| 1995 | 325 325i Convertible 2.5L I-6 | 9.10 sec | 17.00 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
| 1994 | 325 325i Convertible 2.5L I-6 | 7.30 sec | 15.90 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
| 1992 | 325 325i Sedan 2.5L I-6 | 6.90 sec | 15.30 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
| 1992 | 325 325is Coupe 2.5L I-6 | 7.60 sec | 15.80 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
| 1992 | 325 325i Sedan 2.5L I-6 | 8.00 sec | 16.20 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
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, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 17mm: 22.0-26.0, 19mm: 43.0-45.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.
| 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 | 7.0 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 85 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 17mm: 22.0-26.0, 19mm: 43.0-45.0 ft-lbs |
| Driveshaft Flange to Transmission | 145.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.76-2.26 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Capacity | 4.05-5.10 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 92 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 575 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 92 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 650 cca |
| Pressure Test | 28-32 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 28-32 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 190 °F |
| Engine Compression | 156 |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 7.25 at idle, 58.0 regulated. psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Brake Application | WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs / 49 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 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 14-18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 50 | 14–18 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Timing Belt (inspect) |
| 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.
Across the contiguous 1990–1995 arc, the federal record peaks in 1992 with 86 complaints and 10 recalls, then declines to a low of 17 complaints and 3 recalls in 1994 before rebounding sharply in 1995. The 1995 BMW 325i sits at the end of that run with 71 complaints, 6 recalls, and 31 TSBs—the last figure is a tenfold increase over 1994 and the highest TSB count in this block. Top complaint categories are air bags (11), hydraulic service brakes (8), power train (7), and structure (6), though the data does not specify root causes; crash-related complaints total 13, while fire complaints are 0. Because 1995 shows renewed federal activity rather than the downward trend seen from 1992 to 1994, it is not the cleanest model year in this generation's record. A prospective buyer should prioritize a well-maintained example with complete service and recall history, but if choosing purely by this federal record, 1994 is the lower-risk year in the arc.
All 71 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
Showing 5 of 31 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. |
| SIB270212 | 2012-12-01 | Power Train | BMW: DSC WARNING LIGHT IS ON. THE WARNING LAMPS FOR DSC, ABS AND BRAKE WARNING… |
| SIB-61-37-12 | 2012-12-01 | Electrical System | BMW: THE HIGH-VOLTAGE (HV) BATTERY CELLS COULD BE DAMAGED IF THE VEHICLE IS PREVENTED… |
| SIB122512 | 2012-12-01 | Engine | BMW: VEHICLE DOES NOT START: LOOSE GROUND Z6000 *4B. COVERED UNDER THE TERMS OF THE BMW… |
| B63-03-12 | 2012-04-01 | Exterior Lighting | BMW: THE LEFT OR RIGHT REAR LIGHT IN THE SIDE PANEL HAS CONDENSATION CONCERNING VEHICLES… |
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.
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.
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 18 city / 26 highway / 20 combined mpg.