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 1995 318is.
The 1995 BMW 318is, a 3 Series coupe, pairs a 4-speed automatic transmission with an engine requiring 5.3 quarts of oil in viscosities like 15W-40 or 10W-30, and returns an EPA-estimated 21 mpg combined. With only three owner complaints and two recalls logged against it, this model year sits well below the generation’s 1993 peak of 13 complaints, marking it as a notably trouble-free entry in the 1991–1997 run.
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 91 · 600 CCA battery. 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, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 174.4 in |
| Overall width | 67.3 in |
| Overall height | 53.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 2866 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 55.5 / 55.9 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 51/49 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 18 / 26 / 21 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 86 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 10 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.3 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 17mm: 22.0-26.0, 19mm: 43.0-45.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | GL-5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.4 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.3 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 8.5 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 9 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 16-18 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 17mm: 22.0-26.0, 19mm: 43.0-45.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 16 ft-lbs |
| Driveshaft Flange to Transmission | 145.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.76-2.26 lbs |
| Oil Capacity | 4.05-5.06 oz |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 91 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 600 cca |
| Pressure Test | 28-32 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 28-32 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 190 °F |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 7.25 at idle, 62.35 regulated. psi |
| Brake Application | WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs / 49 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Brake Application | WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.409 in / 0.331 in / 0.803 in / 0.685 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 14-18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 53 | 14–18 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.
The 1995 BMW 318is sits within a generation that peaked in complaints during 1993 (13 complaints) and has been on a steady decline since, with 1995 recording 3 complaints—the same low level as 1992. Recalls for 1995 number 2, matching 1993 and 1994 but notably lower than 1992's 3, suggesting the earlier recall spike may have addressed systemic issues. The target year's top complaint areas (visibility/structure, air bags/seat belts, and engine/structure) are each represented by only a single complaint, indicating no dominant failure mode. The generation's trajectory shows improving reliability metrics through 1996 (0 complaints) and 1997 (2 complaints), with zero NHTSA investigations across the entire 1991–1997 span. With consistent TSB counts (1 per year), no crash-related fire complaints, and a complaint count that mirrors the model's best years, the 1995 model appears to be a comparatively mature and resolved example within this generation.
All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE CRUISE CONTROL AND THROTTLE CABLES ARE ATTACHED TO THE SAME THROTTLE VALVE ACTUATING LEVER AT THE THROTTLE HOUSING. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT THE PLASTIC BUSHING ON EITHER CABLE COULD BREAK DUE TO ENVIRONMENTAL INFLUENCES… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A SPRING STEEL CLIP ON THE OUTER TUBE OF EACH CABLE IN THE AREA OF THE ADJUSTING SCREW AND PLASTIC BUSHING. THE CLIP IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT THE OUTER TUBE…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
Showing 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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.
5.3 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 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.