Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 325I.
Built on the E46 platform, the 2003 BMW 325I utilizes an Automatic (S5) transmission and requires 7.0 qt of oil in 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ viscosities, achieving an EPA rating of 18/26/21 mpg. This vehicle operates within a model complaint history spanning 1990-2012, positioned chronologically after the highest recorded complaint year of 2001 which logged 155 issues. With the lowest complaint count occurring in 2000 with just 1, the 2003 model sits in the period following the model's highest complaint volume, framing its reliability standing against these documented extremes.
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 49 · 900 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11421741000. 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 | 11421741000 alt 11421719855 |
| Engine air filter | 13721730449 |
| Fuel filter | 13327512019 |
| Spark plug | 12120037607 alt 12129071003 |
| Battery | 61216806755 alt 61218381738 |
| Front wiper blades | 61617004901 alt 61612458347 |
| Thermostat | 11537509357 alt 11537509227 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319216590 alt 64318370409 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S5) |
| Overall length | 176 in |
| Overall width | 68.5 in |
| Overall height | 55.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.5 in |
| Curb weight | 3241 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 58.3 / 58.7 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 18 / 26 / 21 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 91 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 11 cu ft |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 325 325i Sedan (Sport) 2.5L I-6 | 7.00 sec | 15.40 sec | 184 hp | RWD |
| 2001 | 325 325i Sedan (Sport) 2.5L I-6 | 7.00 sec | 15.40 sec | 184 hp | RWD |
| 2001 | 325 325i Sport Wagon 2.5L I-6 | 7.60 sec | 15.70 sec | 184 hp | RWD |
| 2001 | 325 325xi Sport Wagon (Sport) 2.5L I-6 | 7.70 sec | 16.00 sec | 184 hp | AWD |
| 2001 | 325 325Ci Convertible (Sport) 2.5L I-6 | 8.60 sec | 16.40 sec | 184 hp | RWD |
| 2006 | 325 325i Sedan (Sport) 3.0L I-6 | 6.10 sec | 14.70 sec | 215 hp | RWD |
| 2006 | 325 325xi Sedan (Sport) 3.0L I-6 | 6.50 sec | 15.00 sec | 215 hp | AWD |
| 2006 | 325 325xi Sports Wagon (Sport) 3.0L I-6 | 7.00 sec | 15.40 sec | 215 hp | AWD |
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, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. 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 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.1 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 |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 302 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 85 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Ignition Coil Primary Resistance | 0.8 ohms |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.58-1.69 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 900 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 850 cca |
| Engine Compression | 142-156 psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 10.5 |
| Intake Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Brake Application | WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE BRAKES / WITH STANDARD |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs / 49 ft-lbs / 81-96 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Brake Application | WITH HIGH PERFORMANCE BRAKES / WITH STANDARD |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.921 in / 0.803 in / 0.685 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70 | 14 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 29.5 ft. lbs. | 29.5 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 | |
| 1 | 14-18 ft. lbs., Step 2: 50 | 14–18 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi.
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 2 of 8 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2005 323iT, 325iT, 325xiT, 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 328i, 330i and 330xi and 2000-2006 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, M3 Coupe, 323Cic, 325Cic, 330Cic, and M3… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger's front air bag, free of charge. The recall began February 13, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2000 323i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sports Wagons; 2000 328i sedans and coupes; 2001-2005 325i sedans, coupes, convertibles, and Sport Wagons… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until they have been repaired. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger side frontal air bag, free of charge…
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 8 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined mpg.