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 1994 740I.
The 1994 BMW 740I rides on the E38 platform with an Automatic 5-spd transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 15/21/17 mpg. Engine oil capacity is listed at 7.9 qt using 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ viscosity, accompanying a record of 7 total owner complaints focused on Engine & Engine Cooling. Within the model complaint history covering 1993 to 2016, this year sits between the highest count in 1993 and the lowest in 1996, indicating a reliability trajectory that reduced issues from the start of the period alongside 2 recorded recalls.
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 | 12129063428 alt 12129064619 |
| 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 |
| Track (front / rear) | 60.2 / 61.4 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 52/48 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 15 / 21 / 17 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 1994 model year records 7 complaints, 2 recalls, and 3 TSBs, a sharp reduction from the 22 complaints filed in 1993 and lower than the 10 complaints and 5 recalls seen in 1995. Across the contiguous 1993–2001 span, complaints generally trended upward from this early baseline toward a later peak of 15 in 2001, while recalls peaked at 5 in 1995 and TSBs climbed steadily to 15 by 1997. With zero crash and fire complaints and engine and engine cooling representing the top category at 4 filings, 1994 sits at the quietest point of the early record before escalating service activity and higher recall counts emerged in subsequent years. The data does not specify root causes for the engine-related complaints, but the federal footprint remains minimal. Against the backdrop of the full record, which includes a later 2011–2016 cluster with dramatically higher TSB volumes, the 1994 model belongs to a distinct early period defined by lower federal filings. For buyers seeking the least troubled year within this early run, 1994 is a comparatively good year to buy.
All 7 complaints on record, top 4 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 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.