Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 525I.
The 1995 BMW 525I is built on the E34 platform and paired with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle is rated at 16/23/19 mpg and requires 6.1 quarts of API SJ oil in 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 viscosities. In terms of reliability, this model year recorded 28 total owner complaints—primarily regarding latches, locks, and linkages—and three recalls, falling between the series' 1990 peak of 49 complaints and its 1999 low of one.
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 · 650 CCA battery. 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 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 | 3483 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 57.9 / 59.1 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 52/48 |
| 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, 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 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 |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 71-80 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 17mm: 22.0-26.0, 19mm: 43.0-45.0 ft-lbs |
| Driveshaft Flange to Transmission | 179.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.60-3.00 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 92 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 650 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 93 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 800 cca |
| 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 |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 49 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.331 in / 0.409 in / 0.803 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| Drum Runout Limit | 0.002 in |
| Drum Maximum Machining | 9.882 in |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 33 ft. lbs., Step 2: 46 | 33 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1995 BMW 525i sits near the end of the early-1990s run, and its federal profile is noticeably worse than the immediately preceding years: 28 complaints versus just 5 in 1993 and 8 in 1994, making it the second-highest complaint count in the 1990–1995 group after the 1990 model’s 49. Its 3 recalls are not the worst in that stretch—1991, 1992, and 1994 each had 4—but its 5 TSBs are the highest of those six years, and it carries 1 crash-related and 1 fire-related complaint. The leading complaint areas are Latches/Locks/Linkages (5), Engine & Engine Cooling (4), Power Train (3), and Electrical System (3), though the data does not specify root causes. Across the arc, complaints started high in 1990, fell sharply through 1993–1994, then rebounded in 1995, so the target year lands on a late-generation uptick rather than a settled low. That makes 1995 a riskier buy than a 1993 or 1994 example; it is not the strongest year in the record and should only be considered with a thorough pre-purchase inspection and documented maintenance history covering latches, cooling, drivetrain, and electrics.
All 28 complaints on record, top 8 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 DOUBLE-LOCK FEATURE CAN ENGAGE WITH OCCUPANTS AND THE DOOR/IGNITION KEY INSIDE THE VEHICLE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE GENERAL CONTROL MODULE WITH ONE CONTAINING THE REVISED SOFTWARE TO PERMIT WINDOW OPENING WITH THE DOUBLE-LOCK ENGAGED AND KEY IN THE IGNITION.
Showing 5 of 5 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. |
| 31 01 97 | 1997-01-01 | Structure | CORROSION PROTECTION INSIDE FRONT AXLE TUBULAR CROSS MEMBER. *TW |
| 72/07/96 | 1996-12-01 | Equipment | CHILD AIRBAG LETTER, WARNING LABEL AND SAFETY REFERENCE CARD. *TW |
| 41/03/96 | 1996-11-01 | Structure | WIND NOISE DIAGNOSTICS. *TW |
| 24/06/94R | 1996-11-01 | Power Train | TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAULT CODE 40. *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.