BMW330XI2001Overview/bmw/330xi/2001/base/
E46 platform

2001 BMW 330XI

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 330XI.

Transmission Automatic (S5)

The 2001 BMW 330XI rides on the E46 platform with an automatic S5 transmission and returns EPA-estimated fuel economy of 16 city, 23 highway, and 18 combined mpg. Its engine requires 8.0 quarts of oil meeting API SJ specification in viscosities ranging from 15W-40 to 10W-30. Owner-reported data across the 1999–2011 model span shows the 2001 model year recording 11 total complaints — the highest and lowest single-year total in the dataset — with exterior lighting emerging as the top complaint area and five recalls issued for the model year.

Model year20062004200320022001

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity8.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJOEM · verified
Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/23/18 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 765 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.

Battery groupBCI 94R · 765 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11421741000 alt 11421719855
Engine air filter13721744869
Fuel filter13327512019
Spark plug12129071003 alt 12120037607
Battery61216806755 alt 61218381738
Front wiper blades61617004901 alt 61612458347
Thermostat11537509357 alt 11537509227
Cabin air filter64319216590 alt 64318370409

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S5)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176 in
Overall width68.5 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase107.5 in
Curb weight3373 lb
Track (front / rear)58.3 / 58.7 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 23 / 18 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume91 cu ft
Cargo volume11 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 8.0 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.1 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity8.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts302 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug24.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug15.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.8 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.58-1.69 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance765 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance15-17 ohms
Engine Compression142-156 psi
Engine Oil Pressure10.5
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: .921; Rear: .803
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish0.5-3.5 Ra (microns).

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
129.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
290.0 ft. lbs.90 ft. lbs
390.0 ft. lbs.90 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Every 100,000 miOxygen Sensor (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The federal record for this generation shows a significant spike in reported issues for the 2001 model compared to the relative stability of the 1999, 2000, and 2011 years. While the 1999 and 2000 models saw zero complaints, the 2001 model recorded 11 complaints, 5 recalls, and 17 TSBs. Reported issues for 2001 include exterior lighting, air bags, and the engine, as well as one reported fire and one crash complaint. The data does not specify the root causes for these failures, but the target year represents the peak of the generation's recorded instability. Given that 2001 is a statistical outlier with the highest volume of recalls and complaints in this dataset, it is not a recommended year to buy.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
17
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
11
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 11 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Exterior Lighting2
Air Bags1
Engine1
Air Bags,Seat Belts,Structure1
Engine & Engine Cooling1
Engine & Engine Cooling,Equipment1
Structure1
Wheels1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V401000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/05/2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 BMW 3 Series (323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci and 330Ci), 1999-2001 323i, 328i, 330i, 330xi, and 2000 323i, 328i stationwagon vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver… Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag inflator with a newly designed inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 12, 2021. Owners may contact…

20V018000Air Bags:Frontal:Passenger Side:Inflator ModuleReported 15/01/2020

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 17 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
SIB5108222022-06-01StructureWhistling noise is heard coming from the front bumper while driving at highway speeds.
B3404142021-04-01Service Brakes, AirDiagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused…
B6518202020-11-01EquipmentSERVICE ACTION - HEAD AIR BAG HOLDER RETROFIT: A rattle noise may develop from the head…
B0131182019-04-01Air BagsTAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 330XI. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2001 330XI take?

8.0 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.

Does the 2001 330XI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 330XI get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.