Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 320i.
The 2015 BMW 320i is a passenger car powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, delivering EPA-estimated fuel economy of 23 mpg city, 35 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. It requires 5.1 quarts of engine oil with a viscosity rating of 0W-30, 0W-40, or 5W-30 for maintenance. In terms of reliability, the 2015 model recorded 33 owner complaints with the engine being the primary concern area, alongside three recalls during that model year. When placed in the context of the 320i's complaint history from 2000 to 2015—which saw a peak of 51 complaints in 2014 and a low of just 3 in 2012—the 2015 year falls toward the middle of this range, suggesting neither the worst nor the best reliability performance in the model's history.
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 · 800 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 11428637821 |
| Engine air filter | 13718507320 |
| Spark plug | 12120039664 |
| Battery | 61217635788 alt 61217598775 |
| Front wiper blades | 61615A43585 |
| Cabin air filter | 64116821995 alt 64119237555 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 182.3 in |
| Overall width | 71.3 in |
| Overall height | 56.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 110.6 in |
| Curb weight | 3250 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 60.6 / 62.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 23 / 35 / 28 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 96 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the 320i 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.60 sec | 15.10 sec | 180 hp | RWD |
| 2013 | Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.50 sec | 15.10 sec | 180 hp | RWD |
| 2013 | Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.70 sec | 15.20 sec | 180 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.1 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 engine oil, Castrol SAF-X0 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. 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 |
| Differential Gear Oil | Castrol SAF-X0 |
| Engine Coolant | Ethylene Glycol |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 8.0-9.0 |
| Engine Oil | 0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.1 qt |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 15.8 gallons |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 30 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Driveshaft Flange to Transmission | M8 Bolts: 33.0, M10: 58.0 ft-lbs |
| Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts | 29.5 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Spark Plug Type | M14X1.25 |
| Spark Plug Gap | non-adjustable in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 20.0 - 24.3 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 800 cca |
| Pressure Test | 21.8 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 17-23 psi |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Front w/11.81" |
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 |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Within the supplied federal record, the 2012–2015 arc shows complaints and recalls climbing sharply to a 2014 peak—51 complaints and 7 recalls—before retreating in 2015. The 2015 BMW 320i records 33 complaints, 3 recalls, 1 investigation, and 421 TSBs, meaning every metric is materially lower than 2014 but still above the low levels seen in 2012 and 2013. Its leading complaint categories are Engine (8), Unknown or Other (5), Fuel/Propulsion System (4), and Exterior Lighting (3), with one fire complaint and zero crash-related complaints; the data does not specify root causes. Because 2015 falls on the downward slope after the 2014 high-water mark, it suggests the model run was stabilizing rather than deteriorating at that point. That makes the 2015 320i a comparatively better buy than the 2014 in this record, though buyers should still verify service history given the continued volume of TSBs and engine-related complaints.
All 33 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2012-2015 320i, 320xi, 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi, and ActiveHybrid3 vehicles manufactured October 20, 2011, to June 22, 2015, 2014-2015 328xi Sports Wagon… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will upload revised software to correct the issue, free of charge. The recall began on October 7, 2015. Owners may contact BMW customer service…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2014-2015 2 Series Coupe (228i, 228i xDrive, M235i), 3 Series Sedan (320i, 320i xDrive, 328i, 328i xDrive, 335i, 335i xDrive, M3, 328d, 328d xDrive), 4 Series Coupe… Remedy: Dealers will replace the head air bags, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 4, 2024. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.
Showing 5 of 421 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. |
| B611305 | 2024-01-11 | Electrical System | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process… |
| B010919 | 2023-11-16 | Engine And Engine Cooling | DIESEL FUEL INJECTORS: LTD WTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES |
| B651523 | 2023-05-01 | Electrical System | After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode)… |
| B840822 | 2023-03-01 | Electrical System | The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be… |
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.
5.1 qt of Gasoline engines: 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 oil meeting BMW specification LL01.Diesel engines: 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 oil meeting BMW specification LL04, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 23 city / 35 highway / 28 combined mpg.