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 750IL.
The 1996 BMW 750IL, built on the E38 platform, uses an 8.5‑quart oil capacity with a recommended viscosity of 15W‑40 / 10W‑40 / 10W‑30 API SJ. Its EPA fuel economy of 14/18/15 mpg is paired with a 5‑speed automatic transmission. The model records only one overall owner complaint, with suspension identified as the primary concern and three recall actions issued. Across the 1990‑2001 production span the complaint count peaked at six in 1998 and fell to a single report in 1991, situating the 1996 model among the lower‑complaint years.
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 | 13721742201 alt 13721702908 |
| Fuel filter | 13321702632 |
| Spark plug | 12129070999 |
| Battery | 61217591085 |
| Front wiper blades | 61618203954 alt 61618361475 |
| Serpentine belt | 11287636368 alt 11288672072 |
| Thermostat | 11511704512 alt 11531704704 |
| 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 | 4553 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.4 / 60.2 in |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 14 / 18 / 15 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 8.5 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 1-7-5-11-3-9-6-12-2-8-4-10. 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 | 8.5 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | M6 bolts: 7.4 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | M6 bolts: 7.4 ft-lbs |
| Driveshaft Flange to Transmission | 179.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 221 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-7-5-11-3-9-6-12-2-8-4-10 |
| 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 Oil Pressure | 7.25 at idle, 59-65 regulated. psi |
| 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 | 1.197 in / 0.724 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 73 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 degrees, step 3: 60 | 73 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 60 degrees | 60 degrees |
| 3 | 60 | |
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 model year registers only one federal complaint—the lowest in the entire dataset—compared to three in 1995 and two in 1997, while maintaining three recalls consistent with the elevated recall activity seen in 1995-1997. Technical service bulletins doubled from the two recorded in 1990-1992 to eight in both 1995 and 1996, preceding a sharp spike to seventeen in 1997, placing 1996 at the onset of intensified factory service attention without the peak volume of later years. With zero crash or fire complaints and a single suspension-related grievance whose root cause the data does not specify, 1996 represents the least complained-about year in this generation. Given its minimal complaint history and pre-spike TSB levels, 1996 emerges as a statistically favorable vintage within this production run.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 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… |
| 99EA03 | 2000-02-08 | Engine And Engine Cooling | A VOLUNTARY EMISSION RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN INITIATED REQUIRING INSTALLATION OF TWO… |
| 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.
8.5 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 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined mpg.