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 1998 M3.
The 1998 BMW M3 is built on the E36 platform and couples a performance‑oriented chassis with a robust automatic 5‑speed transmission, delivering 17/26/20 mpg as rated by the EPA; it requires 7.0 qt of oil, with recommended viscosities of 15W‑40, 10W‑40, or 10W‑30 meeting API SJ. The model’s reliability profile is modest, with only 14 total owner complaints that year and a single recall, though suspension issues remain the most frequent complaint area. In the broader context of M3 reliability, the 1998 sits near the lower end of the 1990‑2025 complaint spectrum, suggesting a comparatively stable platform that foreshadows the more problematic years that followed.
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 92 · 575 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11427833769. 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 | 11427833769 |
| Engine air filter | 13721730449 |
| Fuel filter | 13321740985 |
| Spark plug | 12129069877 |
| Battery | 61218381724 |
| Front wiper blades | 61618353289 alt 61611387678 |
| Serpentine belt | 11281437449 alt 11287636378 |
| Thermostat | 11537511580 alt 11531265084 |
| Cabin air filter | 64119069895 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
| Overall length | 174.4 in |
| Overall width | 67.3 in |
| Overall height | 52.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.7 in |
| Curb weight | 3175 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 55.1 / 55.9 in |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 17 / 26 / 20 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 86 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the M3 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Sedan 3.2L I-6 | 5.50 sec | 14.00 sec | 240 hp | RWD |
| 1998 | Convertible 3.2L I-6 | 5.80 sec | 14.50 sec | 240 hp | RWD |
| 1997 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 5.50 sec | 14.00 sec | 240 hp | RWD |
| 1997 | Sedan 3.2L I-6 | 5.50 sec | 14.00 sec | 240 hp | RWD |
| 1997 | Sedan 3.2L I-6 | 5.60 sec | 14.20 sec | 240 hp | RWD |
| 1997 | Sedan 3.2L I-6 | 5.90 sec | 14.30 sec | 240 hp | RWD |
| 1999 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 6.00 sec | 14.60 sec | 240 hp | RWD |
| 1999 | Convertible 3.2L I-6 | 6.60 sec | 14.90 sec | 240 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 7.0 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 1-5-3-6-2-4. 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 | 7.0 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 75 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 16 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 92 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 575 cca |
| Pressure Test | 14.5 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 13-17 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 176 °F |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 15-17 ohms |
| Engine Compression | 142-156 psi |
| Brake Application | WITH STANDARD / WITH VENTED ROTOR |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs / 49 ft-lbs / 81-96 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Brake Application | WITH STANDARD / WITH VENTED ROTOR |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 1.039 in / 0.724 in |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15 ft. lbs., Step 3: 70 | 4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 | |
| 1 | 14.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 50 | 14.5 ft. lbs |
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.
Federal data positions the 1998 model year as a moderation point within a volatile mid-generation period, with 14 complaints representing a significant decrease from the 27 filed in 1997, though recalls held steady at one versus two the prior year. While 1996 saw only a single complaint and 1999 dropped to eleven, 1998 sits between these benchmarks with elevated technical service bulletins at eleven—higher than both adjacent years—suggesting continued factory attention without the recall volume seen in 1995’s four campaigns. Complaints distribute evenly across suspension, powertrain, visibility, and airbag systems at two incidents each, with the data specifying no root causes, and crash-related filings total two with zero fire complaints. Against the generation’s broader arc of minimal early-nineties activity followed by 1995 and 1997 spikes, 1998 demonstrates downward momentum in consumer complaints and stable, low recall exposure. This federal footprint suggests 1998 represents a relatively favorable acquisition point within its generation, offering lower complaint incidence than the immediate predecessor year and minimal safety campaign liability.
All 14 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES ARE BUILT WITH A SIDE AIR BAG SYSTEM CONSISTING OF DOOR-MOUNTED THORAX AIR BAGS (REAR DOOR AIR BAGS ARE OPTIONAL), A CENTRAL ELECTRONIC SENSOR AND DIAGNOSTIC… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE CENTRAL COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT REGULATES THE PERFORMANCE OF ALL OF THE VEHICLE'S OCCUPANT PROTECTION SYSTEMS.
Showing 5 of 11 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B340714 | 2023-10-13 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a… |
| SIB-33-01-02 | 2011-07-01 | Suspension | BMW: A GRINDING NOISE IS COMING FROM THE DIFFERENTIAL DURING SLOW CORNERING. WHEN TURNING… |
| SI-B11-07-09 | 2009-08-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | BMW: THERMOSTAT HOUSING INSPECTION. THE RETAINING SPRINGS OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING QUICK… |
| 000698 | 1999-07-01 | Unknown Or Other | THIS BULLETIN CONTAINS INFORMATION ON NEW VEHICLE PREPARATION AND MAINTENANCE… |
| 120299 | 1999-02-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH ON COLD START. *TT |
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.
7.0 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 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined mpg.