Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 328i.
The 2015 BMW 328i is a passenger car equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission (S8), delivering EPA fuel economy of 23/34/27 mpg city/highway/combined and requiring 5.0 to 5.5 quarts of 0W-30, 0W-40, or 5W-30 engine oil. With 121 owner complaints and 4 recalls logged primarily in the engine, cooling, and electrical systems, this model year sits well below the 2011 peak of 678 complaints in the 328i's recorded history spanning 1996 through 2015, placing it on the lower end of the model's reliability timeline and indicating fewer reported issues than the generation's most troubled 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 94R · 800 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428683168. 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 | 11428683168 alt 11428637821 |
| Engine air filter | 13718507320 alt 13718511668 |
| Spark plug | 12120039664 |
| Battery | 61217635788 alt 61217598775 |
| Front wiper blades | 61615A43585 |
| Cabin air filter | 64119237555 alt 64116821995 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 182.3 in |
| Overall width | 71.3 in |
| Overall height | 56.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.6 in |
| Curb weight | 3360 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 60.6 / 62.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 23 / 34 / 27 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 96 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.0-5.5 of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 engine oil, Castrol SAF-X0 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. 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 |
| Clutch Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | Castrol SAF-X0 |
| Engine Coolant | Ethylene Glycol |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 8.0-9.0 |
| Engine Oil | 0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.0-5.5 |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 15.8 gallons |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 30 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Driveshaft Flange to Transmission | M8 Bolts: 33.0, M10: 58.0 ft-lbs |
| Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts | 29.5 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Spark Plug Type | M14X1.25 |
| Spark Plug Gap | non-adjustable in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 20.0 - 24.3 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 800 cca |
| Pressure Test | 21.6 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 17-23 psi |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front w/11.81" |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | Bolts 1-10 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 4 | 45 degrees | 45 degrees |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Across the 2011-2015 generation, federal complaints peaked at 678 in the 2011 debut year and saw a secondary spike in 2013 with 286 complaints, before steadily declining to 121 complaints in the 2015 model year. The 2015 BMW 328i sits at the bottom of this downward trend, recording the lowest number of complaints, recalls (4), and investigations (1) of its generation, which suggests the manufacturer successfully resolved earlier production bugs. However, the 2015 model still carries notable risks, with 34 combined complaints in the "Engine & Engine Cooling" and "Electrical System" categories, alongside 7 fire complaints and 6 crash complaints, though the data does not specify the root causes of these failures. Given its position as the most statistically stable year in the generation's federal record, the 2015 328i is a relatively good year to buy, provided you secure a pre-purchase inspection specifically focused on the electrical and engine cooling systems.
All 121 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe… Remedy: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Showing 5 of 459 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B062626 | 2026-05-01 | Engine | Inlet Hose Return |
| B062126 | 2026-02-24 | Structure | Muffler Bracket Return |
| B061626 | 2026-02-06 | Engine | Double Pipe Return |
| B010322 | 2024-10-25 | Fuel/Propulsion System | Fuel tank limited warranty for leakage, due to defects in materials or workmanship, has… |
| 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.
5.0-5.5 of Gasoline engines: 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 oil meeting BMW specification LL01.Diesel engines: 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 oil meeting BMW specification LL04, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 23 city / 34 highway / 27 combined mpg.