Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 M3.
The 2002 BMW M3 is a passenger‑car built on the E46 platform, equipped with an automatic S6 transmission and requiring 5.8 qt of oil with viscosities ranging from 15W‑40 to 10W‑30 API SJ, delivering an EPA rating of 15/21/17 mpg. Its reliability record shows 91 owner complaints, with the most frequent issues arising in the engine and engine‑cooling systems, and it was subject to eight recalls. Compared with the broader M3 complaint history—spanning 1990‑2025, where the worst year (2006) logged 216 complaints and the best year (1996) just one—the 2002 model sits toward the lower‑end of the spectrum. This positions the 2002 iteration as a comparatively reliable year within the model’s long‑term complaint trend.
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 94R · 640 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11421741000. 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 | 11421741000 alt 11421719855 |
| Engine air filter | 13721730449 |
| Fuel filter | 13327831089 |
| Spark plug | 12120022902 |
| Battery | 61216924021 alt 61218381749 |
| Front wiper blades | 61617004901 alt 61612458347 |
| Thermostat | 11531318274 alt 11531318402 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319216590 alt 64318370409 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Overall length | 176.8 in |
| Overall width | 69.3 in |
| Overall height | 53.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.5 in |
| Track (front / rear) | 57.9 / 58.3 in |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 15 / 21 / 17 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 4.80 sec | 13.40 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
| 2002 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 4.90 sec | 13.50 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
| 2002 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 5.00 sec | 13.60 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
| 2002 | Convertible 3.2L I-6 | 5.10 sec | 13.70 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
| 2001 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 4.50 sec | 13.10 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
| 2001 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 4.65 sec | 13.18 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
| 2001 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 4.70 sec | 13.40 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
| 2001 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 4.70 sec | 13.30 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.8 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil. 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.
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.6 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.8 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 221 ft-lbs |
| 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 |
| Ignition Coil Primary Resistance | 0.8 ohms |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 640 cca |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 28-32 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 176 °F |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 15-17 ohms |
| Engine Compression | 142-156 psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 10.5 |
| 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 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 | 25-29 ft. lbs. | 25–29 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.
| At 1,200 mi | Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Instrument Cluster Warning Indicator (inspect) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) · Universal Vehicle Operation (read dtcs) |
| 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.
In 2002 the 2002 BMW M3 generated 0 federal complaints overall, but 2 recalls, 0 investigations and 6 TSBs, following a year with 14 complaints in 2001 and preceded by 11 complaints in 1999 and 0 complaints in 2000. The year’s complaint profile was dominated by engine‑related issues (13 complaints), air‑bag concerns (12), power‑train problems (10) and electrical faults (8), with 4 crash‑related complaints and 1 fire‑related complaint reported. The year sits in a low‑complaint stretch that began after the modest activity of 1999‑2000 and before the steep rise that starts with 37 complaints in 2005. The modest number of recalls and the concentration of complaints in non‑safety‑critical systems suggest that the 2002 model does not carry the high‑risk pattern that emerges later in the generation. Consequently, while no vehicle should be purchased without checking its specific recall history, the 2002 BMW M3 represents a reasonable buying opportunity provided the buyer verifies that all prior recalls have been addressed.
All 91 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
Showing 5 of 87 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B063026 | 2026-05-04 | Engine | Starter Return |
| B510819 | 2024-01-16 | Electrical System | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| B000706 | 2023-11-13 | Equipment | When using the Key Reader to retrieve information from the customerâÃÂÃÂs key, the… |
| B340714 | 2023-10-13 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a… |
| B662419 | 2022-09-01 | Equipment | Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible… |
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.
5.8 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 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.