Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 60,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1993 740I.
The 1993 BMW 740I is built on the E32 platform and paired with a 5-speed automatic transmission, delivering an EPA-rated 14/20/16 mpg. This model requires 7.9 quarts of oil with a viscosity of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ. Within the 1993-2016 model history, the 1993 year recorded the highest number of owner complaints at 22, including two recalls and a prevalence of issues within the engine and engine cooling areas.
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 11427510717. 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 | 11427510717 |
| Engine air filter | 13721736675 |
| Fuel filter | 13321720101 |
| Spark plug | 12129064619 alt 12129063428 |
| Front wiper blades | 61618355052 alt 61618361475 |
| Serpentine belt | 11287833266 alt 11287636367 |
| Thermostat | 11531702279 alt 11511705408 |
| Cabin air filter | 64311390836 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
| Overall length | 193.3 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.4 in |
| Curb weight | 4001 lb |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 14 / 20 / 16 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 101 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 740I 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | 740 740iL Sedan 4.0L V8 | 7.90 sec | 16.00 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
| 1995 | 740 740i Sedan 4.0L V8 | 8.00 sec | 16.10 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
| 1995 | 740 740i Sedan 4.0L V8 | 8.40 sec | 16.60 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
| 1996 | 740 740iL Sedan 4.4L V8 | 6.90 sec | 15.20 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
| 1998 | 740 740iL 4.4L V8 | 6.80 sec | 15.20 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
| 2000 | 740 740i Sedan 4.4L V8 | 5.90 sec | 15.50 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
| 2000 | 740 740iL Protection Sedan 4.4L V8 | 7.70 sec | 16.00 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
| 2001 | 740 740iL Sedan 4.4L V8 | 6.60 sec | 15.00 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 7.9 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 | 7.9 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 60,000 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 1993 BMW 740I recorded 22 complaints—the highest of the early model years—though this figure dropped sharply to 7 in 1994, suggesting initial quality or reliability issues that somewhat stabilized in subsequent years. Compared to 1995, which saw a spike in recalls (5) and TSBs (7), the 1993 model had fewer manufacturer actions addressing known problems. The top complaint areas were engine and engine cooling (7), followed by seats and unknown issues (3 each), with notably 2 fire-related complaints and 1 crash complaint recorded. This places 1993 at the peak of early-model complaints within the generation arc, contrasting with the very low complaint years of 1996-1999 (1-8 complaints). However, the 1993 also falls before the more comprehensive recall and TSB activity that characterized 1995-1997, meaning fewer documented fixes exist for the issues reported. The concrete takeaway: while the complaint volume decreased in later years, the 1993's combination of highest early complaints, fire-related incidents, and minimal recall/TSB intervention makes it a riskier purchase within this generation.
All 22 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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.
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…
Showing 3 of 3 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. |
| B122917 | 2017-12-01 | Equipment | SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1… |
| 72/07/96 | 1996-12-01 | Equipment | CHILD AIRBAG LETTER, WARNING LABEL AND SAFETY REFERENCE CARD. *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.
7.9 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 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.