Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi.
| Every 60,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
| At 120,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 328I xDrive.
The 2011 BMW 328i xDrive is a passenger car built on the E92 platform, equipped with an automatic S6 transmission and an engine that takes 6.9 quarts of oil in viscosities of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ, while delivering EPA-rated fuel economy of 18 mpg city, 25 highway, and 20 combined. This model year stands out in the 2011–2015 complaint history as the highest, with 678 owner complaints—predominantly in the Engine & Engine Cooling category—and 11 recalls, making it the most problematic year of the range and a point of caution for researchers evaluating long-term ownership.
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 · 720 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 | 12120037663 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612455437 alt 61612455435 |
| 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 | 3605 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.1 / 59.4 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 18 / 25 / 20 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 93 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
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.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | BMW part number 83222152426 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 10.5-11.5 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.2 Pints |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.8 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.9 qt |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 18 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 92 ft-lbs, MT: 89 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 11 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 15 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 11 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 15 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 24.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 15.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 310 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.19-1.40 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 5.70-7.00 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 720 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Pressure Test | 29 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 18-22 psi |
| Engine Compression | 130-261 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi |
| Engine Compression | 130-261 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi |
| Brake Application | WITH FN3 |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Brake Application | WITH FN3 |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.866 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.866 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.803 in |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120 | 15 ft. lbs |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | Bolts 1-10 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 4 | 45 degrees | 45 degrees |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | Bolts 1-10 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 4 | 45 degrees | 45 degrees |
| 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 60,000 mi.
| Every 60,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
| At 120,000 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 2011 BMW 328I xDrive stands out as the most problematic year in this generation, recording 678 complaints—more than quadruple the next highest year (313 in 2013)—along with the highest recall count of 11 and the highest number of crash-related complaints (27) and fire complaints (32) in the dataset. Engine and engine cooling issues dominated the complaint data with 162 filings, followed by engine-specific problems at 123, while air bags (70) and electrical system (50) complaints also ranked prominently. In contrast, subsequent model years showed a dramatic decline in complaints (dropping to 145–313 annually), a trend that aligns with the model's transition to a new generation in 2012. Recall activity remained elevated in 2012 (10) before steadily declining to just 4 by 2015, suggesting that early production issues were progressively addressed through manufacturer corrective actions. Notably, the 2011 model's lower TSB count (148) compared to 2012–2014 (527–667) may indicate that issues were more likely to result in formal complaints or recalls rather than service bulletins during that initial year. The data suggests the 2011 model represents the peak of documented reliability concerns within this generation, and prospective buyers should weigh the significantly higher complaint and recall activity—particularly the engine-related and fire-related complaints—against the substantially improved track record of the 2012 and later model years.
All 678 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
Showing 5 of 148 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B012016 | 2025-03-13 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| B012016 | 2025-02-20 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| B510819 | 2024-01-16 | Electrical System | The basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met. |
| B611305 | 2024-01-11 | Electrical System | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process… |
| SB23-01 | 2023-08-02 | Steering | Spl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471 |
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 11 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 18 city / 25 highway / 20 combined mpg.