Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 528i.
The 2015 BMW 528i is a passenger‑car sedan whose engine calls for a 5.3‑qt fill of 5W‑30 oil and is mated to an eight‑speed automatic (S8) transmission, delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 23 mpg city, 33 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined. With only one recall recorded and the majority of its 62 owner complaints concentrated in the engine‑cooling and electrical systems, the model shows a modest trouble profile. Placed within the 1997‑2015 complaint history, its 62 complaints sit far below the 198‑complaint peak of 2011 but above the 3‑complaint low of 2001, indicating a reliability level that is better than the worst year yet not as strong as the model’s best.
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 94R · 800 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 | 13717582908 |
| Spark plug | 12120039664 |
| Battery | 61219394648 alt 61217598775 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612458015 |
| Thermostat | 11538635689 alt 11538636594 |
| Cabin air filter | 64119272642 alt 64116809933 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 192.9 in |
| Overall width | 73.2 in |
| Overall height | 57.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.9 in |
| Curb weight | 3814 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 63 / 64.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 51/49 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 23 / 33 / 26 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 102 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 14 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the 528i 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 528 528i Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 5.90 sec | 14.50 sec | 240 hp | RWD |
| 2012 | 528 528i Sedan 2.0L Turbo I-4 | 6.20 sec | 14.70 sec | 240 hp | RWD |
| 2011 | 528 528i Sedan 3.0L I-6 | 6.40 sec | 14.90 sec | 240 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.3 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, Castrol SAF-X0 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. 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 |
| Clutch Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | Castrol SAF-X0 |
| Engine Coolant | Ethylene Glycol |
| Engine Coolant Capacity | 9.5-11.5 |
| Engine Oil | Synthetic · SAE 5W |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.3 qt |
| Fuel Tank Capacity | 18.5 gallons |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 30 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Driveshaft Flange to Transmission | M8 Bolts: 33.0, M10: 58.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Spark Plug Type | M14X1.25 |
| Spark Plug Gap | non-adjustable in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 20.0 - 24.3 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 800 cca |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 28-32 psi |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Stamped on rotor |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after Refinish | Stamped on rotor |
| Vented Rotor Maximum Scoring Depth | Stamped on rotor |
| Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation | Stamped on rotor |
| Maximum Rotor Runout | Stamped on rotor |
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 |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2015 model recorded 62 federal complaints, 1 recall, and 1 investigation, placing its complaint volume above the 56 reported in 2014 but below the 198 complaints seen in 2011. Recalls have fallen from a high of 8 in 2011 to a single unit in 2015, while total service bulletin counts dropped from 350 in 2014 to 271 in 2015. Engine and electrical system issues constitute the majority of the 2015 complaints, accounting for 30 of the 62 reported concerns. No crash‑related complaints were filed for 2015, though four fire‑related complaints were documented. Given the modest increase in complaints relative to the prior year and the absence of major safety‑critical recalls, the 2015 BMW 528i remains a reasonable used‑car choice, provided a thorough service history is verified.
All 62 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC. (BMW) is recalling certain 2012-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i, 2012-2016 Z4 sDrive28i, 528i, 528i xDrive, 328i, 328xi, 2016-2018 X5 xdrive 40e, 2014-2016 228i, 228xi, 428i, 428i xDrive… Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the water pump and plug connector as necessary, and install a protective shield, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on March…
Showing 5 of 271 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. |
| B611305 | 2024-01-11 | Electrical System | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process… |
| B160623 | 2023-12-20 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel… |
| B653423 | 2023-11-22 | Electrical System | Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their… |
| B010919 | 2023-11-16 | Engine And Engine Cooling | DIESEL FUEL INJECTORS: LTD WTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES |
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.
5.3 qt of BMW High Performance Synthetic Oil, SAE 5W-30 or equivalent., per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 23 city / 33 highway / 26 combined mpg.