Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 535I.
The 2008 BMW 535i rides on the E60 platform and pairs an automatic (S6) transmission with an engine requiring 6.9 quarts of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ oil, while EPA fuel-economy estimates come in at 17/26/20 mpg. This model year falls within a 1990–2017 complaint history that bottoms out at 2 complaints in 1990 and peaks at 264 complaints in 2011, placing it inside a broad band of documented owner feedback rather than at either extreme. That positioning means researchers must weigh the 2008 example against the full span of that recorded spectrum when judging its long-term standing.
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 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 11428637820 |
| Engine air filter | 13717556961 |
| Fuel filter | 16147373523 |
| Spark plug | 12120037244 |
| Battery | 61217586961 alt 61217586962 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612455442 |
| Thermostat | 11537549476 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319171858 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Overall length | 190.9 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 57.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 114.2 in |
| Curb weight | 3450 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61 / 61.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 51/49 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 17 / 26 / 20 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 99 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 14 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the 535I 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 535 535xi Sedan 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-6 | 5.40 sec | 14.00 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2009 | 535 535i Sedan 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-6 | 5.20 sec | 13.80 sec | 300 hp | RWD |
| 2010 | 535 535i Sedan 3.0L Twin-turbo I-6 | 5.50 sec | 14.10 sec | 300 hp | RWD |
| 2010 | 535 535i Gran Turismo 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 6.00 sec | 14.50 sec | 300 hp | RWD |
| 2011 | 535 535i Sedan 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 5.40 sec | 14.00 sec | 300 hp | RWD |
| 2011 | 535 535i Sedan 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 5.60 sec | 14.10 sec | 300 hp | RWD |
| 2011 | 535 535i xDrive Sedan 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 5.70 sec | 14.10 sec | 300 hp | AWD |
| 2011 | 535 535i Sedan 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 5.80 sec | 14.30 sec | 300 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 6.9 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. 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.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | BMW part number 83220142516 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 10.5-11.5 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.3 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.9 qt |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | BMW MTF part number 83220309031 |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 92 ft-lbs, MT: 89 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 11 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 15 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 310 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.50-1.60 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 5.40-6.85 oz |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 95R |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 850 cca |
| Engine Compression | 130-261 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 22-26 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs / 48 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.181 in / 1.417 in / 0.945 in / 0.787 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 1.181 in / 1.417 in / 0.945 in / 0.787 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.882 in / 1.118 in / 0.724 in / 1.354 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 137 | 15 ft. lbs |
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 |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70 | 15 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 45,000 mi.
| Every 45,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
| Every 100,000 mi | Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) |
| At 150,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at…
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.
6.9 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 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined mpg.