BMW328CI2000Overview/bmw/328ci/2000/base/
E46 platform

2000 BMW 328CI

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2000 328CI.

Transmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2000 BMW 328CI rides on the E46 platform and is paired with an automatic five‑speed transmission, while its powerplant calls for a 7.0‑quart oil capacity and accepts viscosities of 15W‑40, 10W‑40 or 10W‑30 API SJ. Its EPA fuel‑economy rating is 16 mpg city, 25 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. In reliability terms the model accumulated 15 owner complaints — most often concerning suspension, power‑train and structure — and was subject to four recall actions, marking the 2000 year as an early point in the E46’s reliability trajectory.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJOEM · verified
Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/25/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 750 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.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 750 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size205-60HR15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-J; Optional: 8-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11421741000 alt 11421719855
Engine air filter13721744869
Fuel filter13321740985
Spark plug12129071003
Battery61218381730 alt 61218381747
Front wiper blades61617004901 alt 61612458347
Thermostat11537509357 alt 11537509227
Cabin air filter64319216590 alt 64318370409

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length176.8 in
Overall width69.3 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase107.5 in
Curb weight3197 lb
Track (front / rear)57.9 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 25 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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 oil drain plug to 22.0 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity7.0 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 89 ft-lbs, MT: 78 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs16 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.76-2.26 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance750 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance15-17 ohms
Engine Compression142-156 psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR
Torque Caliper to Bracket18-22 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle49 ft-lbs / 81-96 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Brake ApplicationWITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.331 in / 0.685 in / 0.803 in
Rotor Finish0.5 - 3.5 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 14 ft. lbs., Step 3: 704 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Cast Iron Engine Block:

122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees; Aluminum Engine Block:90 degrees
129.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Every 100,000 miOxygen Sensor (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2000 model year registers 15 complaints, 4 recalls, and 14 technical service bulletins, representing the high point of federal reporting in this dataset compared to the 2001 model's zero complaints, 3 recalls, and single TSB. This concentration of activity places the target year at the beginning of a steep decline arc, indicating early-production examples bear the brunt of documented issues including five reports concerning suspension, power train, and structure, plus three air bag complaints, though the data specifies zero crash or fire incidents. The dramatic reduction in complaints and technical service bulletins by 2001 suggests BMW rapidly addressed these initial concerns, yet the 2000 model carries statistically higher reported volatility within this limited generational record. While the specific root causes remain unspecified in federal records, the absence of crash or fire complaints alongside the year-over-year improvement trend supports acquisition provided buyers prioritize inspection of suspension, powertrain, and air bag systems.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
14
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
15
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 15 complaints on record, top 7 components.

Suspension,Power Train,Structure5
Air Bags3
Structure3
Electrical System1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Suspension1
Suspension,Structure1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V401000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 27/05/2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2001 BMW 3 Series (323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci and 330Ci), 1999-2001 323i, 328i, 330i, 330xi, and 2000 323i, 328i stationwagon vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver… Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver-side air bag inflator with a newly designed inflator, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 12, 2021. Owners may contact…

19V853000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 26/11/2019

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 1999-2001 323i, 325i, 328i and 330i and 2000-2001 323Ci, 325Ci, 328Ci, 330Ci, 323iT, and 325iT vehicles equipped with Non-Azide Driver air bag Inflators (NADI)… Remedy: BMW notified owners, and Dealers will replace the driver air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2020. Owners may contact BMW customer service at…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 14 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B3404142021-04-01Service Brakes, AirDiagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused…
B6518202020-11-01EquipmentSERVICE ACTION - HEAD AIR BAG HOLDER RETROFIT: A rattle noise may develop from the head…
B0131182019-04-01Air BagsTAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL…
B0131182019-04-01Air BagsTAKATA AIR BAG RECALL-RELATED SHORT-TERM ALTERNATE TRANSPORTATION AND CONSEQUENTIAL…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 328CI. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2000 328CI take?

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.

Does the 2000 328CI have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 328CI get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 25 highway / 19 combined mpg.