Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1989 735i.
Equipped with an Automatic 4-spd transmission and EPA fuel economy estimates of 14/18/15 mpg, the 1989 BMW 735i requires 6.1 qt of oil with a viscosity range spanning 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ. Reliability records for this specific model year document 11 total owner complaints, predominantly concerning Engine & Engine Cooling, along with 1 recall. This feedback volume precedes the provided model complaint history covering 1990 to 1995, where complaints ranged from a high of 6 in 1992 to a low of 1 in 1995. This comparison shows the 1989 model year reports a higher complaint total than the subsequent years documented.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 197.6 in |
| Overall width | 151.6 in |
| Overall height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.1 in |
| Curb weight | 4012 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 52.4 / 61 in |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 14 / 18 / 15 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 101 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the 735i 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Sedan 3.4L I-6 | 9.10 sec | 16.80 sec | 208 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 | 4.9 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 |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1989 BMW 735i sits at the tail end of its generation, and the federal data reveals a clear trend: complaint volumes for this model peak in the early 1990s (1992 marks the highest at six complaints) before dropping sharply in 1993–1995. Recalls remain steady at two to three per year through 1992, then decline to one annually afterward, suggesting BMW addressed systemic issues as the generation matured. The 1989 model year itself reports four complaints—all concentrated in engine, cooling, and electrical systems—yet zero recalls, investigations, or fire-related incidents, indicating no widespread safety defects were formally identified. Compared to the 1990–1992 models, which show higher complaint and recall activity, the 1989 appears relatively stable, though its age means undocumented wear-related failures may emerge. The absence of crash or fire complaints is a positive, but the engine and electrical focus warrants thorough pre-purchase inspection. **Takeaway: The 1989 735i is a better bet than the 1990–1992 models in its generation, but only if a detailed engine and electrical diagnostic confirms its condition.**
All 11 complaints on record, top 5 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
Showing 1 of 1 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. |
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 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined mpg.