Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 325I.
The 2002 BMW 325I represents the E46 platform's continued refinement, a generation that ran from 1990 through 2012 and proved mechanically robust over its extended lifecycle. Powered by an engine calling for 7.0 quarts of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 oil meeting API SJ specifications, and equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission, this model achieved EPA estimates of 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. The vehicle's complaint data, tracked across the full model run, shows significant variation by year—ranging from a high of 155 complaints in 2001 to a low of just 1 in 2000—placing this 2002 example within a mature and well-understood platform where service procedures are thoroughly documented and most common failure modes have been identified and addressed through the production run.
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 49 · 900 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.
| Engine oil filter | 11421741000 alt 11421719855 |
| Engine air filter | 13721730449 |
| Fuel filter | 13327512019 |
| Spark plug | 12129071003 alt 12120037607 |
| Battery | 61216806755 alt 61218381738 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612458347 alt 61617004901 |
| Thermostat | 11537509357 alt 11537509227 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319216590 alt 64318370409 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S5) |
| Overall length | 176 in |
| Overall width | 68.5 in |
| Overall height | 55.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.5 in |
| Curb weight | 3241 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 58.3 / 58.7 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 17 / 24 / 20 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 91 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 11 cu ft |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 325 325i Sedan (Sport) 2.5L I-6 | 7.00 sec | 15.40 sec | 184 hp | RWD |
| 2001 | 325 325i Sport Wagon 2.5L I-6 | 7.60 sec | 15.70 sec | 184 hp | RWD |
| 2001 | 325 325xi Sport Wagon (Sport) 2.5L I-6 | 7.70 sec | 16.00 sec | 184 hp | AWD |
| 2001 | 325 325Ci Convertible (Sport) 2.5L I-6 | 8.60 sec | 16.40 sec | 184 hp | RWD |
| 2004 | 325 325i Sedan (Sport) 2.5L I-6 | 7.00 sec | 15.40 sec | 184 hp | RWD |
| 2006 | 325 325i Sedan (Sport) 3.0L I-6 | 6.10 sec | 14.70 sec | 215 hp | RWD |
| 2006 | 325 325xi Sedan (Sport) 3.0L I-6 | 6.50 sec | 15.00 sec | 215 hp | AWD |
| 2006 | 325 325xi Sports Wagon (Sport) 3.0L I-6 | 7.00 sec | 15.40 sec | 215 hp | AWD |
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.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2 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 |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 302 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 85 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Ignition Coil Primary Resistance | 0.8 ohms |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.58-1.69 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 900 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 850 cca |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 15-17 ohms |
| Engine Compression | 142-156 psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 10.5 |
| Intake Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Brake Application | WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE BRAKES / WITH STANDARD |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs / 49 ft-lbs / 81-96 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Brake Application | WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE BRAKES / WITH STANDARD |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.921 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 | 29.5 ft. lbs. | 29.5 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 | |
| 1 | 14-18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 50 | 14–18 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi.
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge…
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 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.