Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 328I.
The 1998 BMW 328i, built on the E46 platform, pairs a 4-speed automatic transmission with a 7.0-quart oil capacity using 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ oil, and returns EPA estimates of 16 mpg city, 24 highway, and 19 combined. With just 27 owner complaints and no recalls, this model year sits among the quieter entries in the 328i’s complaint history, which spans 1996 to 2015 and peaks at 678 complaints in 2011, suggesting that early E46 examples like the 1998 tend to be relatively trouble-free.
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, OE oil filter 11427512300. 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 | 11427512300 |
| Engine air filter | 13721730449 |
| Fuel filter | 13321740985 |
| Spark plug | 12129064617 |
| Battery | 61218381724 |
| Front wiper blades | 61611387678 alt 61618353289 |
| Serpentine belt | 11281437449 alt 11287636378 |
| Thermostat | 11537511083 alt 11531740437 |
| Cabin air filter | 64119069895 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 174.4 in |
| Overall width | 66.9 in |
| Overall height | 54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3120 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 55.5 / 55.9 in |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 16 / 24 / 19 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular 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, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0 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 | 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 | AT: 89 ft-lbs, MT: 78 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 22.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 16 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 Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 92 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 575 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 92 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 650 cca |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 15-17 ohms |
| Engine Compression | 142-156 psi |
| Brake Application | WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 81 ft-lbs / 18-22 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81-96 ft-lbs / 49 ft-lbs / 81 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 | 4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 14 ft. lbs., Step 3: 70 | 4 ft. lbs |
Prep Cast Iron Engine Block:
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees; Aluminum Engine Block: | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 29.5 ft. lbs. | 29.5 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 | |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| 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.
The 1998 BMW 328I represents the low point of a distinct complaint arc within this generation, recording just 27 complaints and zero recalls—the lowest of any model year between 1996 and 2001. In contrast, the immediate successors saw dramatic escalation: 1999 brought 102 complaints and 7 recalls, while 2000 peaked at 119 complaints with another 7 recalls. The 1998 model's Technical Service Bulletins (6) also reflected this stability, remaining well below the 15–31 TSBs filed for neighboring model years. The top complaint areas for 1998—air bags (4), electrical system (2), power train (2), and suspension (2)—were modest in volume, with only 3 crash-related complaints and zero fire complaints recorded. This data suggests the 1998 model escaped the systemic issues that afflicted the 1999–2000 model years of this generation. Given its position at the trough of this complaint spike and the absence of any recall activity, the 1998 model year appears to be the most favorable within this generation for a used purchase.
All 27 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 6 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. |
| 72 04 98 | 1998-10-01 | Air Bags | INFORMATION ON NEW AIRBAGS. *YC |
| 11 08 98 | 1998-07-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CONDITION REGARDING LONG LIFE ENGINE OIL. *YC |
| 12 10 97 | 1998-04-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | SUBJECT ON VOLUNTARY EXHAUST EMISSION SERVICE ACTION NO. 98E-A01. *YC *JN |
| 16 01 98 | 1998-03-01 | Fuel System, Gasoline | INFORMATION ON EVAPORATIVE EMISSION CONTROL AND FUEL FILLER CAP / FILLER DOOR LABELS. *YC |
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 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.