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2016 BMW 550i

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 550i.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2016 BMW 550i is paired with an S8 automatic transmission and achieves an EPA-rated 17/25/20 mpg. This vehicle follows a model complaint history spanning 2011-2015, which peaked at 172 complaints in 2011. With complaints falling to a low of 6 by 2014, the 2016 model year arrives after a period of significant improvement in reported reliability.

Model year20162006

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacityRefer to the appropriate Motologic service procedures for drain and refill procedure.OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/25/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 49 · 850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11427583220. 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 49 · 850 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size245/45R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim8.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11427583220
Engine air filter13717577457 alt 13717577458
Spark plug12120039664 alt 12120040581
Battery61219394648 alt 61216924021
Front wiper blades61612458015
Thermostat11538632664 alt 11537586885
Cabin air filter64119272642 alt 64116809933

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length192.9 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height57.5 in
Wheelbase116.9 in
Curb weight4431 lb
Track (front / rear)63 / 64.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 25 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume102 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the 550i of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.8–5.1 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.80 sec — 2011 Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2011Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V84.80 sec13.10 sec400 hpRWD
2011Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V84.80 sec13.30 sec400 hpRWD
2011Sedan 4.4L Twin-Turbo V85.10 sec13.10 sec400 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine Hypoid axle oil G1 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 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilHypoid axle oil G1
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.2-3.0
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity3.0-3.2
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity2.5-3.2
Manual Transmission FluidBMW MTF-LT-5
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity2.5-3.0

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to TransmissionM8 Bolts: 33.0, M10: 58.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW
Spark Plug TypeM14X1.25
Spark Plug Gapnon-adjustable in
Spark Plug Torque20.0 - 24.3 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance850 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief28-32 psi

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementStamped on rotor
Vented Rotor Maximum Scoring Depth0.004 - 0.015 / Stamped on rotor

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

This vehicle uses condition-based service — it signals maintenance needs through its onboard service indicator rather than fixed mileage intervals. Items on the factory schedule:

ReplaceEngine Oil Filter · Spark Plugs · Engine Oil · Cabin Air Filter · Engine Air Filter Element
InspectWindshield Washer System · Parking Brake System · Underbody · Brake Line · Disc Brake Caliper · Brake Rotor · Air Bag System · Exterior Lighting
Road testUniversal Vehicle Operation
Inspect Fluid LevelEngine Coolant System
ResetTire Pressure Monitoring System
Drain, Refill & BleedBrake Hydraulic System

Reliability & federal safety record

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

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’11’12’13’14’15

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V914000Air BagsReported 20/12/2016

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2017 BMW 640i, 640i xDrive, 650i, 650i xDrive, M6, 535i, 535i xDrive, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, i3, i8… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began February 6, 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

15V718000Child SeatReported 30/10/2015

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2016 528i, 528i xDrive, 535i, 535i xDrive, 535d xDrive, M5, 550i, 550i xDrive, and 535d sedans. The affected vehicles have an inboard lower anchor for… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, repair the inboard lower anchor on the left rear seat, free of charge. The recall began on December 28, 2015…

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 550i. 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.

Group 49 batteryVehicles taking Refer to the appropriate Motologic service procedures for drain and refill procedure.Engine oil filter 11427583220Engine air filter 13717577457Spark plug 12120039664Battery 61219394648

Reference guides

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

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2016 550i take?

Refer to the appropriate Motologic service procedures for drain and refill procedure. of Use engine oil meeting BMW specification LL-01 or equivalent., per the factory manual.

Does the 2016 550i have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 550i get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.