Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 740IL.
The 1995 BMW 740IL sits on the E38 chassis and is powered by a V12 that requires a generous 7.9 qt of oil, typically serviced with 15W‑40, 10W‑40, or 10W‑30 viscosity fluids meeting API SJ standards, while its smooth 5‑speed automatic transmission delivers the model’s modest 15 / 22 / 17 mpg (city / highway / combined) rating. Across the 1993‑2001 production span, 1995 records a relatively low total of 12 owner complaints, with the most frequent issue still centered on engine and cooling systems and four recalls documented for the year. Compared with the peak of 37 complaints in 1998 and the low of four in 1994, the 1995 iteration occupies a middle‑ground that signals solid, if not flawless, reliability for researchers examining the model’s overall durability.
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 a BCI 95R · 950 CCA battery, 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 | 13321740985 |
| Spark plug | 12129064619 alt 12129063428 |
| Battery | 61217591085 |
| Front wiper blades | 61618203954 alt 61618361475 |
| Serpentine belt | 11287833266 alt 11287636367 |
| Thermostat | 11531702279 alt 11511705408 |
| Cabin air filter | 64118391385 alt 64312339888 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
| Overall length | 201.6 in |
| Overall width | 75.2 in |
| Overall height | 56.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 120.9 in |
| Curb weight | 4200 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.4 / 60.2 in |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 15 / 22 / 17 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 107 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
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, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 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.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 3 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 |
| Driveshaft Flange to Transmission | 179.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.148-3.00 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 95R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 950 cca |
| Pressure Test | 28-32 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 28-32 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 185 °F |
| Engine Compression | 159 |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 7.25 at idle, 65.25 regulated. psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs / 49 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 1.118 in / 0.409 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 30 ft. lbs. | 30 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 80 degrees | 80 degrees |
| 3 | 80 | |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 100,000 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 1995 BMW 740IL sits at an inflection point in the generation’s reliability arc, with complaints (12) moderately above the early years but well below the 1998 peak of 37. Its recall count, however, jumps to 4—the highest for any single year in the 1993–2001 data—while surrounding years typically saw only 1 or 2. Technical service bulletins also rise to 8, signaling a growing list of manufacturer-acknowledged issues, though not yet at the 1997 high of 16. The top complaint areas for 1995 point to engine and engine cooling (4) and visibility (3), along with a single fire incident, but the data does not specify root causes. Given this recall spike and the upward trend in complaints that follows, a 1995 740IL demands verification that all four recalls have been completed; otherwise, it represents a riskier choice compared to earlier or later years with fewer safety-related actions.
All 12 complaints on record, top 7 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
FCP GROTON IS RECALLING CERTAIN STEERING CENTER DRAG LINKS, P/N 32 21 1 096 057, SOLD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 2001 BMW 740I, 740IL, AND 750IL… Remedy: FCP GROTON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE TIE ROD WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FCP GROTON…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ROAD GRIT AND GRAVEL ASSOCIATED WITH WINTER ROAD CONDITIONS CAN PENETRATE THE RUBBER OF THE LOWER FRONT SPRING MOUNTS AND ACCUMULATE IN THE MOUNTS CAUSING NOTCHES OR PITS TO… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SPRINGS AND LOWER SPRING MOUNTS.
Showing 5 of 8 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. |
| B650916 | 2018-11-01 | Equipment | Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide |
| B122917 | 2017-12-01 | Equipment | SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1… |
| 12 01 98 | 1998-02-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | INFORMATION ON HEAT EXCHANGER OPERATION. E38 740IA/ILA WITH M62 ENGINE PRODUCED UP TO… |
| 04 01 98 | 1998-02-01 | Unknown Or Other | SUBJECT ON TANK VENTILATION LEAK COUPLERS. *YC |
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 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 15 city / 22 highway / 17 combined mpg.