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 1991 735i.
The 1991 BMW 735i, positioned as the flagship luxury sedan of its era, features an engine that requires six quarts of oil and is specified for API SJ‑grade lubricants in viscosities of 15W‑40, 10W‑40 or 10W‑30. Paired with an automatic four‑speed transmission, it delivers EPA‑rated fuel economy of 15 city, 20 highway and 16 combined mpg. Owner complaints total three, with the majority concerning engine and cooling systems, and recalls number three, while historical data show complaint volume peaking in 1992 before falling to a single report by 1995, underscoring a relatively stable reliability profile for the model year.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 193.3 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.4 in |
| Curb weight | 3836 lb |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 15 / 20 / 16 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.
In 1991 the 735i received three complaints and three recalls, a slight uptick from the previous year’s four complaints and two recalls in 1990, but still lower than the 1992 spike to six complaints. The recall count remained steady at three from 1990 through 1992, indicating a consistent but not escalating safety issue trend during the early 1990s. Investigations and TSBs stayed at zero and two respectively, matching the surrounding years, so there was no escalation in more serious investigations. The 1991 model’s top complaint areas—two engine‑cooling and one exterior lighting issue—were typical for the generation and no fire or crash complaints were recorded. Overall, the 1991 year sits in a relatively stable period of the generation’s record, suggesting it is a reasonably safe and reliable year to consider for purchase.
All 3 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
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 2 of 2 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. |
| 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 15 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.