BMW750IL1998Overview/bmw/750il/1998/base/
E38 platform

1998 BMW 750IL

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1998 750IL.

Transmission Automatic 5-spd

The 1998 BMW 750IL is an E38 platform vehicle equipped with a 5-speed automatic transmission. This model yields an EPA rating of 13/18/15 mpg and requires 8.5 quarts of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ engine oil. Within the model's 1990-2001 history, 1998 represents the highest volume of owner complaints at six—with visibility cited as the top area of concern—and includes one recall.

Model year200120001999199819971996199519941993

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity8.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJOEM · verified
Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy13/18/15 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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.

Battery groupBCI 95R · 950 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTAILOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11427510717
Engine air filter13721702908 alt 13721742201
Fuel filter13321702632
Spark plug12129070999
Battery61217591085
Front wiper blades61618361475 alt 61618203954
Serpentine belt11287636368 alt 11287512972
Thermostat11511705408 alt 11511704512
Cabin air filter64118391385 alt 64312339888

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length201.6 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height56.3 in
Wheelbase120.9 in
Curb weight4553 lb
Track (front / rear)59.4 / 60.2 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined13 / 18 / 15 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume107 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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 oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity8.5 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsM6 bolts: 7.4 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head BoltsM6 bolts: 7.4 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-7-5-11-3-9-6-12-2-8-4-10
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.148-3.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number95R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance950 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance15-17 ohms
Engine Compression142-171 psi
Engine Oil Pressure7.25 at idle, 59-65 regulated. psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket18-22 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle49 ft-lbs / 81-96 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.197 in / 0.724 in
Rotor Finish0.5 - 3.5 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
173 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 degrees, step 3: 6073 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
260 degrees60 degrees
360
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
260 degrees60 degrees
360 degrees60 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Every 100,000 miOxygen Sensor (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 1998 BMW 750iL sits at the top of the federal complaint curve for this generation, with six NHTSA complaints—more than any other model year shown and double the volume of the adjacent 1997 and 1999 entries. However, recalls moved in the opposite direction: 1998 carries just one recall, down sharply from the three-to-four recall levels recorded for 1995 through 1997. Technical service bulletins also eased from the 1997 peak of 17 to 13 in 1998, then fell further to six in 1999, suggesting the 1998 model year was a late-phase refinement point rather than the start of a new problem spike. Reported complaint categories are concentrated in visibility, with smaller counts for air bags/fuel-propulsion, visibility/equipment, and tires; the data record zero crash-related and zero fire-related complaints, though it does not specify root causes. Because 1998 pairs the generation's highest complaint count with relatively low recall exposure and no reported crash or fire incidents, it is a cautiously acceptable year to buy if a thorough pre-purchase inspection specifically addresses the visibility and tire concerns reflected in the federal record.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
13
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
6
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 6 complaints on record, top 5 components.

Visibility2
Air Bags,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Visibility,Equipment1
Tires1
Fuel System, Gasoline1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10E021000Steering:Linkages:Drag:Link:ConnectionReported 27/05/2010

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 13 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B6509162018-11-01EquipmentRadio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
B1229172017-12-01EquipmentSERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1…
B1228172017-12-01Electrical SystemSERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME (FOR O2 SENSORS): Due to DME software error, the following…
99EA032000-02-08Engine And Engine CoolingA VOLUNTARY EMISSION RECALL CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN INITIATED REQUIRING INSTALLATION OF TWO…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 750IL. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 1998 750IL take?

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.

Does the 1998 750IL have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 750IL get?

EPA figures are 13 city / 18 highway / 15 combined mpg.