BMW535I2009Overview/bmw/535i/2009/base/
E60 platform

2009 BMW 535I

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 535I.

Transmission Automatic (S6)

The 2009 BMW 535I is a midsize executive sedan built on the E60 platform, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and achieving EPA-rated fuel economy of 17 city, 26 highway, and 20 combined mpg. The vehicle's engine holds 6.9 quarts of oil with viscosity specifications of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 meeting API SJ standards. When examining the 535I model's complaint history across its broader production span from 1990 to 2017, the 2009 model year sits within a period of relatively stable performance, well before the peak complaint levels recorded in later years such as 2011, suggesting this generation represents a mature and refined iteration of the platform with established known issues. This context indicates researchers should be aware of documented concerns that emerged in subsequent model years when evaluating the 2009's long-term ownership experience.

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJOEM · verified
Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/26/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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.

Battery groupBCI 49 · 720 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428683168 alt 11428637820
Engine air filter13717556961
Fuel filter16147373523
Spark plug12120037244
Battery61217591085 alt 61217586961
Front wiper blades61612455442
Thermostat11537549476
Cabin air filter64319171858

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length190.9 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height57.9 in
Wheelbase114.2 in
Curb weight3450 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)51/49

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 26 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume99 cu ft
Cargo volume14 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the 535I of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.20 sec — 2009 535 535i Sedan
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2009535 535i Sedan 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-65.20 sec13.80 sec300 hpRWD
2008535 535xi Sedan 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-65.40 sec14.00 sec300 hpAWD
2010535 535i Sedan 3.0L Twin-turbo I-65.50 sec14.10 sec300 hpRWD
2010535 535i Gran Turismo 3.0L Turbo I-66.00 sec14.50 sec300 hpRWD
2011535 535i Sedan 3.0L Turbo I-65.40 sec14.00 sec300 hpRWD
2011535 535i Sedan 3.0L Turbo I-65.60 sec14.10 sec300 hpRWD
2011535 535i xDrive Sedan 3.0L Turbo I-65.70 sec14.10 sec300 hpAWD
2011535 535i Sedan 3.0L Turbo I-65.80 sec14.30 sec300 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidBMW part number 83220142516
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.5-11.5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.3 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity6.9 qt
Manual Transmission FluidBMW MTF part number 83220309031

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 92 ft-lbs, MT: 89 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug43.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug43.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs

Ignition

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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.50-1.60 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity5.40-6.85 oz
Optional BCI Group Number95R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance850 cca
Standard BCI Group Number49

Service checks

Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief28-32 psi
Engine Compression130-261 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket22-26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs / 48 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in / 1.417 in / 0.945 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.181 in / 1.417 in / 0.945 in / 0.787 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.882 in / 1.118 in / 0.724 in / 1.354 in
Rotor Finish0.5 - 3.5 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 13715 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Bolts 1-10 90 degrees90 degrees
445 degrees45 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7015 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 45,000 mi.

Every 45,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 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.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

13V407000Exterior Lighting:Tail LightsReported 11/09/2013

BMW is recalling certain model year 2008 through 2010 528i, 535i, 550i, and M5 passenger cars manufactured from March 1, 2007, through December 31, 2009. Over time, increased resistance at the taillight electrical… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear lamp bulb carriers free of charge. Owners may contact BMW customer relations at 1-800-525-7417 or email BMW at…

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 535I. 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 2009 535I take?

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.

Does the 2009 535I have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 535I get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined mpg.