Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi.
| Every 60,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
| At 120,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 X5 M.
Built on the E70 platform, this SUV employs an Automatic (S6) transmission and requires 6.9 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ oil to achieve EPA ratings of 19/26/22 mpg. Reliability data for the 2011 model year documents 307 total owner complaints with the Engine listed as the top complaint area alongside 15 recalls. Positioned at the start of a 2011-2022 model history, this vehicle's data initiates a record that tracks complaint volumes from a high of 274 in 2012 to a low of 57 in 2022.
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 · 900 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428683168. 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 | 11428683168 alt 11427583220 |
| Engine air filter | 13717589641 alt 13717577457 |
| Fuel filter | 13327822499 |
| Spark plug | 12120037580 alt 12120037582 |
| Battery | 61217594976 |
| Front wiper blades | 61610077821 |
| Thermostat | 11538632664 alt 11517787692 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319194098 alt 64316804939 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Overall length | 190.9 in |
| Overall width | 76 in |
| Overall height | 69.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 115.4 in |
| Curb weight | 5192 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 64.6 / 65 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 48/52 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 19 / 26 / 22 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Diesel |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 6.9 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 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.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | BMW part number 83222152426 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 10.5-11.5 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.5 Pints |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.9 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.9 qt |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 18 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | M6 bolts: 6 ft-lbs, M7 nuts: 9.6 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 15 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 11 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 11 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 103 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 24.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 24.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 310 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 310 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 900 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 750 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 95R Diesel |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Pressure Test | 29 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 26-30 psi |
| Engine Compression | 145-232 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 140 | 15 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 30 ft. lbs., step 2: 120 | 30 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 73 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 degrees, step 3: 60 degrees, step 4: 60 | 73 ft. lbs |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts with the specified engine oil.
| 1 | 59.0 ft. lbs. | 59 ft. lbs |
| 2 | loosen all bolts 180 degrees starting from the outside working to the inside. | 180 degrees |
| 3 | 37.0 ft. lbs. | 37 ft. lbs |
| 4 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 5 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | Bolts 1-10 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 4 | 45 degrees | 45 degrees |
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9.6 | 6 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 7 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11 ft. lbs., Step 15 | 7 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70 | 15 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi.
| Every 60,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
| At 120,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2011 BMW X5 M shows the lowest calendar-year complaint count (0) and fewest recalls (1) within its immediate generation cohort, alongside 162 TSBs and no open investigations—an apparently clean profile on the surface. The target-year complaint breakdown, however, tells a markedly different story: cumulative issues for the 2011 model concentrate in Engine (73), Air Bags (53), Power Train (27), and Fuel/Propulsion System (17), with 6 crash and 15 fire complaints flagged, suggesting the in-year filing count understates real-world complaints lodged against the 2011 model in subsequent calendar years. Across the broader model lineage sampled, TSBs range from 92 to 299 and recalls frequently reach 6 to 12 per year, indicating a platform that has demanded heavy manufacturer service attention throughout its life. The 15 fire complaints on the 2011 specifically, combined with the rapid escalation to 274 complaints and 10 recalls in the immediately following model year shown, position 2011 as the early—but not the cleanest—year of this generation. Concrete takeaway: a 2011 X5 M is a reasonable buy only with a BMW-specialist pre-purchase inspection, documented recall completion, and a price discount that reflects the engine, airbag, and fire-related complaint weight; a later 2012-2013 example with verified recall service is generally the safer used purchase.
All 307 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 14 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2007-2013 X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i, X5 xDrive50i and X5 M vehicles, 2008-2014 X6 xDrive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M vehicles, 2009-2013 X5 xDrive35d… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the remedy is performed. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag module, free of…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however…
Showing 5 of 332 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B012016 | 2026-05-06 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| B110614 | 2025-03-27 | Engine | This bulletin outlines the Customer Care Package program that has been designed… |
| B012016 | 2025-03-13 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| B012016 | 2025-02-20 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| B510819 | 2024-01-16 | Electrical System | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
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.
6.9 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 15 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 19 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.