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 325IS - E36.
The 1995 BMW 325IS is a passenger car built on the E36 platform, equipped with an automatic four‑speed transmission and an engine that takes 7.0 quarts of oil, with acceptable viscosities of 15W‑40, 10W‑40 or 10W‑30 API SJ. It carries an EPA fuel‑economy rating of 18/26/20 mpg (city/highway/combined). Reliability data for this model year shows 71 owner complaints, with air‑bag issues leading the list, and the vehicle was subject to six recalls. This places the 1995 325IS within the E36’s reliability trajectory as a year marked by a notable number of air‑bag‑related concerns and recall actions.
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 11421730389. 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 | 11421730389 |
| Engine air filter | 13721730449 |
| Fuel filter | 13321740985 |
| Spark plug | 12129064619 alt 12129064617 |
| Battery | 61218381724 |
| Front wiper blades | 61611387678 alt 61618353289 |
| Serpentine belt | 11281703943 alt 11287636378 |
| Thermostat | 11537511580 alt 11531740437 |
| Cabin air filter | 64119069895 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 18 / 26 / 20 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 86 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
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 | 1.75-2.30 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 4.00-5.06 oz |
| 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.
Owner complaints about the 1995 BMW 325IS - E36 top in one area — the air bags, 11 of 71 reports (15%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the air bags, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 13 of the reports describe a crash and 0 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 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.