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 1994 325i.
The 1994 BMW 325i comes equipped with an Automatic 4‑speed transmission, a 7.0‑quart oil capacity and EPA fuel‑economy ratings of 18 city, 26 highway and 20 combined miles per gallon, while its recommended oil viscosities of 15W‑40, 10W‑40 or 10W‑30 meet API SJ specifications. Owner‑complaint records show 17 total grievances, most frequently citing Engine & Engine Cooling and accompanied by three recalls, and the broader complaint history from 1990 to 2012 peaks at 155 complaints in 2001 yet drops to a single complaint in 2000, positioning the 1994 model near the lower end of its reliability spectrum.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 174.4 in |
| Overall width | 66.9 in |
| Overall height | 54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 106.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3031 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 55.5 / 55.9 in |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 18 / 26 / 20 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
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.
Federal data positions the 1994 model year as a distinct recovery point within the early‑1990s defect trajectory. Following the 1992 surge to 86 complaints and 10 recalls and the sustained elevation of 1993 with 55 complaints and 9 recalls, 1994 registers a sharp decline to 17 complaints, 3 recalls, zero investigations, and only 3 technical service bulletins—metrics comparable to the 1990–1991 baseline. This downturn represents a temporary stabilization, as 1995 sees complaints rebound to 71 and technical service bulletins surge to 31, suggesting 1994 captured a brief interval of reduced defect reports before subsequent model year issues emerged. While the data records one fire complaint and scattered engine, fuel, and air bag concerns without specifying root causes, the overall complaint volume remains substantially lower than the years immediately preceding and following it. For a buyer prioritizing federal exposure metrics, 1994 represents the statistical low point of its immediate 1992–1995 production cycle and therefore presents the most favorable risk profile among adjacent vintages.
All 17 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 3 of 3 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. |
| 41/03/96 | 1996-11-01 | Structure | WIND NOISE DIAGNOSTICS. *TW |
| MSG1016 | 1996-10-01 | Exterior Lighting | RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW |
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 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 18 city / 26 highway / 20 combined mpg.