BMW850CI1995Overview/bmw/850ci/1995/base/
E31 platform

1995 BMW 850CI

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1995 850CI.

Transmission Automatic 5-spd

The 1995 BMW 850CI rides on the E31 platform with a five-speed automatic transmission and calls for 8.5 quarts of oil in viscosities ranging from 10W-30 to 15W-40 meeting API SJ, returning EPA estimates of 12 city, 19 highway, and 15 combined mpg. Owner-reported complaints total three for this model year, with air bags emerging as the top concern, though no recalls were issued. Across the 1991-1997 production span, complaint volume peaked and bottomed out at a single report in 1992, placing the 1995 example slightly above that baseline but still reflecting a largely quiet reliability record.

Model year199719961995199419931992

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 economy12/19/15 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 93 · 800 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 93 · 800 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11427510717
Engine air filter13721720861
Fuel filter13321720101
Spark plug12129070999
Front wiper blades61610134601 alt 61618192874
Serpentine belt11287636368 alt 11288672072
Thermostat11511704512 alt 11531704704
Cabin air filter64312339891

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length188.2 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height52.8 in
Wheelbase105.5 in
Curb weight4123 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61.4 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined12 / 19 / 15 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium 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 firing order is 1-7-5-11-3-9-6-12-2-8-4-10.

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

Chassis torques

Driveshaft Flange to Transmission179.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts88 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 Capacity3.42 lbs
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.40-6.10 oz
Oil GroupPAG
Standard BCI Group Number93
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca
Optional BCI Group Number91

Service checks

Pressure Test28-32 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief28-32 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature185 °F
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket18-22 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.118 in / 0.409 in
Rotor Finish0.5 - 3.5 μin

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.

Across the generation from 1991 to 1997, the BMW 850CI demonstrates a stable federal record with very few complaints and a consistent presence of one to two recalls per year. The 1995 model year aligns with this trend, recording zero complaints in the summary record and one recall. This represents a slight improvement over the 1994 model, which saw the generation's peak of two recalls, and precedes the 1997 model's increase to two TSBs. Specifically for 1995, the data lists single complaints in the areas of Air Bags, Suspension, and Tires, while reporting zero crash or fire complaints. Given the absence of investigations and the low frequency of recalls and complaints compared to the surrounding years, 1995 is a good year to buy.

0
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
2
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
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 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Air Bags1
Suspension1
Tires1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
72/07/961996-12-01EquipmentCHILD AIRBAG LETTER, WARNING LABEL AND SAFETY REFERENCE CARD. *TW

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 850CI. 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 1995 850CI 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 1995 850CI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 850CI get?

EPA figures are 12 city / 19 highway / 15 combined mpg.