Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1993 525I.
The 1993 BMW 525I is built on the E34 platform and comes with a 4-speed automatic transmission, requiring 6.1 quarts of 5W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 oil and delivering EPA fuel economy of 16 city, 23 highway, and 19 combined mpg. With only five total owner complaints on record—the most common area being engine and engine cooling—and three recalls, this model year appears relatively trouble-free within the E34’s broader history, which spans 1990 to 2011 and saw a peak of 49 complaints in 1990 and a low of just one in 1999.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
| Engine air filter | 13721730918 |
| Fuel filter | 13321268231 |
| Spark plug | 12129064619 alt 12129064617 |
| Front wiper blades | 61618355052 alt 61618361475 |
| Thermostat | 11537511580 alt 11537511083 |
| Cabin air filter | 64311390836 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 185.8 in |
| Overall width | 68.9 in |
| Overall height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.7 in |
| Curb weight | 3395 lb |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 16 / 23 / 19 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 91 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the 525I 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Touring 2.5L I-6 | 11.50 sec | 18.50 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
| 1991 | Sedan 2.5L I-6 | 9.60 sec | 17.50 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 6.1 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.
| 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 | 6.1 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
In the 1990–1995 run, federal complaints trended downward from a high of 49 in 1990 to a generational low of just 5 in 1993, before rebounding to 28 by 1995, while recalls remained consistent at three or four annually and investigations stayed at zero. The 1993 model sits at the bottom of this arc, recording the fewest complaints of the period and fewer than both the 1992 model (26 complaints) and the 1994 model (8 complaints). The five complaints include two for engine and engine cooling and one each for electrical system/structure, engine and engine cooling/equipment, and power train; the record also shows zero crash complaints and one fire complaint, though the data does not specify root causes. With recall volume in line with adjacent years and complaint filings at their lowest point in the generation, the 1993 model year represents the most stable point in the federal record and is a good year to buy.
All 5 complaints on record, top 4 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 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…
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
Showing 4 of 4 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. |
| 41/03/96 | 1996-11-01 | Structure | WIND NOISE DIAGNOSTICS. *TW |
| MSG1117 | 1996-10-07 | Unknown Or Other | ANNOUNCEMENT THAT OWNERS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN RECALLS 96V110 AND 96V111 WILL BE… |
| MSG1016 | 1996-10-01 | Exterior Lighting | RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW |
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.
6.1 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 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.