Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 M550i xDrive.
The 2018 BMW M550i xDrive, equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission, returns EPA fuel economy of 16 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. Reliability data for this model year records 22 owner complaints with air bags standing as the top complaint area, accompanied by a single recall. For researchers, these figures place the 2018 in a relatively stable position within the model's reliability history, with concerns concentrated around air bag systems rather than scattered across the vehicle's broader mechanical footprint.
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 49; Auxiliary w/M Sports Suspension: 47 · 900; Auxiliary w/M Sports Suspension: 60 O.E. AmpHrs CCA battery, OE oil filter 11427583220. 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 | 11427583220 |
| Engine air filter | 13718613251 alt 13718613250 |
| Spark plug | 12120047946 |
| Battery | 61216806755 alt 61217604802 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612447932 |
| Thermostat | 11538632664 alt 11538685978 |
| Cabin air filter | 64115A1BDB7 alt 64115A1BDB6 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 195.3 in |
| Overall width | 73.6 in |
| Overall height | 57.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 117.3 in |
| Curb weight | 4537 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 63.4 / 64.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 54/46 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 16 / 25 / 19 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 99 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 14 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. 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 |
| Clutch Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 7.4 ft-lbs |
| Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s) | 3.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pan to Block Bolts | 7.4 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 29.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 18.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.85-1.90 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49; Auxiliary w/M Sports Suspension: 47 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 900 |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 95R |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 105 |
| RPM | 725.0 |
| 1 | 48.0 inch lbs. | 48 in |
| 2 | 15.0 ft. lbs. | 15 ft. lbs |
| 3 | 70 | |
| 1 | 73.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60 degrees, Step 3: 60 degrees, Step 4: 60 | 73 ft. lbs |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2018 BMW M550i xDrive lead in one area — the air bags, 4 of 22 reports (18%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 1 recall campaigns target the air bags, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 22 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 540d, 2018-2020 530i, 530i xDrive, 540i, 540i xDrive, M550i xDrive, M5, 530e, 530e xDrive, X3 sDrive, X3 xDrive, X3 M40i, X3 M, and 2019-2020 X4 xDrive, X4 M40i… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the back-up camera software, free of charge. The recall began November 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at…
Showing 5 of 285 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B720125 | 2025-04-18 | Electrical System | The Supplemental Restraint Systems (SRS) Front Passenger’s Seat Occupancy Capacitive… |
| B630418 | 2024-03-14 | Exterior Lighting | One or more of the LED daytime running lights are dim or discolored. |
| B510819 | 2024-01-16 | Electrical System | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| B611305 | 2024-01-11 | Electrical System | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process… |
| B340714 | 2023-10-13 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
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Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined mpg.