Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Timing Belt (inspect) |
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1992 325I - E36.
The 1992 BMW 325i is a passenger car built on the E36 platform, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission and an engine requiring 7.0 quarts of oil in 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ viscosity grades. EPA ratings of 16 city, 21 highway, and 18 combined mpg set the fuel-economy benchmark for this model year, while the modest figures reflect the engineering trade-offs of the era. With 86 owner complaints logged and engine and engine cooling identified as the top trouble area—alongside 10 recalls—the 1992 model year provides a concrete baseline for the E36's reliability history, giving researchers a quantified starting point against which later production years can be measured.
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 OE oil filter 11421707779. 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 | 11421707779 alt 11421730389 |
| Engine air filter | 13721720861 alt 13721730449 |
| Fuel filter | 13321268231 |
| Spark plug | 12129064617 alt 12129064619 |
| Battery | 61211378094 |
| Front wiper blades | 61611387678 |
| Serpentine belt | 11281703943 alt 11511711091 |
| Thermostat | 11537511580 alt 11531710953 |
| Cabin air filter | 64311394093 alt 64119069895 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 175.2 in |
| Overall width | 65 in |
| Overall height | 53.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.2 in |
| Curb weight | 2987 lb |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 16 / 21 / 18 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 7.0 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | GL-5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 3.6 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 7.0 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 10-12 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 14 ft-lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Timing Belt (inspect) |
| 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.
Owner complaints about the 1992 BMW 325I - E36 lead in one area — the engine & engine cooling, 16 of 86 reports (19%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 4 recall campaigns target the engine & engine cooling, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 6 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the engine & engine cooling 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 86 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
Showing 5 of 9 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. |
| SI B63 02 08 | 2008-05-01 | Exterior Lighting | REAR BULB FAILURE. MODEL E92 (3 SERIES COUPE) VEHICLES PRODUCED UP TO JANUARY 21, 2008… |
| SI B11 13 07 | 2008-04-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | N54 RATTLE NOISE FROM TURBOCHARGER AREA. MODELS E90, E92 AND E93 (3 SERIES) 335I AND… |
| SI B12 01 08 | 2008-01-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | N52 EDK THROTTLE JAMMING FAULTS 2D09, 2CED AND 2CEC. MODEL E90 AND E91 (3 SERIES) AND E60… |
| 120405 | 2006-03-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CHECK ENGINE LAMP ILLUMINATED AND/OR VEHICLE OVERHEATS. BMW E90 (3 SERIES) ALL E90 (3… |
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.
7.0 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 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined mpg.