Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 325I.
Built on the E90 platform, the 2006 BMW 325I pairs an Automatic (S6) transmission and 18/27/21 mpg EPA fuel economy with an engine requiring 6.9 qt of oil in viscosities including 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ. This model year falls within a broader complaint history covering 1990-2012, a period where reported issues fluctuated significantly from a low of 1 complaint in 2000 to a high of 155 in 2001. Consequently, researchers should contextualize the 2006 unit against this variable historical baseline rather than assuming a static reliability profile across the generation.
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 · 850 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 | 13717542294 |
| Spark plug | 12122158253 |
| Battery | 61218381762 alt 61218381738 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612468941 |
| Thermostat | 11537549476 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319142114 alt 64319313519 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Overall length | 178.3 in |
| Overall width | 71.7 in |
| Overall height | 55.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.7 in |
| Curb weight | 3285 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.1 / 59.4 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 18 / 27 / 21 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 93 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 12 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 6.9 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 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 | 6.9 qt |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | BMW MTF part number 83229408942 |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.4 |
| Power Steering Fluid | Use Pentosin CHF 11S |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 18 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 92 ft-lbs, MT: 89 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 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 | 850 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 640 cca |
| Engine Compression | 130-261 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs / 49 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.881 in / 0.724 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120 | 15 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | bolt 1-10 | 90 degrees |
| 4 | all turn 90 | |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70 | 15 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 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 530xi Sports Wagon, 325i, 325xi, 325xi Sports Wagon, 330i, 330xi, Z4 3.0i and Z4 3.0si vehicles. The heater for the positive crankcase… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the PCV valve heater, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The…
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.
6.9 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 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 18 city / 27 highway / 21 combined mpg.