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 1996 740IL.
Built on the E38 chassis, the 1996 740IL uses a 7.9‑quart oil system that calls for 15W‑40, 10W‑40 or 10W‑30 API SJ grades, and power is routed through a five‑speed automatic delivering EPA ratings of 15 city, 22 highway and 18 combined mpg. Owner‑reported complaints total 11 for the year, with the most frequent issue centered on vehicle speed control, and the model carries two recalls. Within the 1993‑2001 run, 1996 falls well below the peak complaint year of 1998 (37) but above the low of 1994 (4), indicating a middling reliability profile for this generation.
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 | 12129063428 alt 12129064619 |
| Battery | 61217591085 |
| Front wiper blades | 61618203954 alt 61618361475 |
| Serpentine belt | 11287636376 alt 11287833264 |
| Thermostat | 11511705408 alt 11531437526 |
| Cabin air filter | 64312339888 alt 64118391385 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
| Overall length | 201.6 in |
| Overall width | 73.2 in |
| Overall height | 56.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 120.9 in |
| Curb weight | 4288 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.4 / 60.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 51/49 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 15 / 22 / 18 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 |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 221 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 |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 15-17 ohms |
| Engine Compression | 159 |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 7.25 at idle, 65.25 regulated. psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Intake Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 49 ft-lbs / 81-96 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 | 73 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 degrees, step 3: 60 degrees, step 4: 30 | 73 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 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 1996 BMW 740IL sits in a transitional period of the generation's federal record, where complaints remained relatively stable at 11, following a rise from 1994's 4 and preceding a sharp climb toward 37 complaints by 1998. For the target year, the record shows 2 recalls and 9 technical service bulletins, marking a decrease in recalls compared to the 4 reported in 1995. Top complaint areas for 1996 include Vehicle Speed Control, Engine & Engine Cooling, Fuel System Gasoline, and Latches/Locks/Linkages, each with 2 reports, though the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. Safety data for this year is minimal, with only one reported crash complaint and zero fire complaints. Given that complaint and TSB volumes are significantly lower than those seen in the subsequent 1997 and 1998 model years, this is a relatively stable year to buy.
All 11 complaints on record, top 7 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 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 9 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 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.