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 1993 325i.
The 1993 BMW 325i is a passenger car equipped with a manual 5‑speed transmission and an engine that the manufacturer specifies to hold 7.0 quarts of oil meeting 15W‑40, 10W‑40 or 10W‑30 API SJ standards, with EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 15/22/18 mpg. In its model‑year history it accumulated 55 total owner complaints, nine recalls, and the most frequent issues centered on the engine and engine‑cooling systems, placing it in a period where complaints have ranged from a single case in 2000 to a peak of 155 in 2001. Consequently, the 1993 version represents a relatively low‑complaint year within a variable reliability record, indicating a modest but not exceptional durability for that era.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Manual 5-spd |
| Overall length | 174.4 in |
| Overall width | 67.3 in |
| Overall height | 53.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3086 lb |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 51/49 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 15 / 22 / 18 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the 325i 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | 325 325i Sedan 2.5L I-6 | 6.90 sec | 15.30 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
| 1992 | 325 325is Coupe 2.5L I-6 | 7.60 sec | 15.80 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
| 1992 | 325 325i Sedan 2.5L I-6 | 8.00 sec | 16.20 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
| 1994 | 325 325i Convertible 2.5L I-6 | 7.30 sec | 15.90 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
| 1995 | 325 325i Convertible (Sport) 2.5L I-6 | 7.90 sec | 16.00 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
| 1995 | 325 325i Sedan 2.5L I-6 | 8.00 sec | 16.10 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
| 1995 | 325 325i Convertible 2.5L I-6 | 9.10 sec | 17.00 sec | 189 hp | RWD |
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 |
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.
The 1993 model year represents a decline from the 1992 peak—federal complaints dropped to 55 from 86, recalls fell to 9 from 10, and investigations decreased to 1 from 2—yet it remains significantly elevated over the 11–13 complaints and 2–3 recalls recorded in 1990–1991. This positions 1993 within a volatile early-generation arc that saw a sharp spike in 1992 followed by a steep recovery in 1994, when complaints plummeted to 17 and recalls to 3. The data shows 1993 carried substantial exposure with 9 recalls and 55 complaints, concentrated in Engine & Engine Cooling (9 complaints), Structure (8), and Electrical System (6), though the federal records do not specify root causes for these patterns. With crash and fire complaints registering at 3 and 2 respectively, the year sits at a midpoint between the 1992 crisis and the relative stability of 1994. Given that 1993 still carries roughly triple the complaint volume of 1994 and nearly matches the recall intensity of the 1992 peak, prospective buyers should prioritize a 1994 model instead, or ensure extensive pre-purchase verification of the specific systems cited in complaints.
All 55 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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.
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…
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 9 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.