Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi.
| Every 100,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 550I.
The 2006 BMW 550i is an E60-platform sedan paired with an S6 automatic transmission, requiring 8.5 quarts of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ engine oil and returning EPA fuel economy of 15 city and 23 highway mpg. Examining the model's complaint history from 2011 through 2015 reveals a sharp peak of 172 complaints in 2011, followed by a steady decline to just six by 2014. This trajectory suggests that major issues tended to surface around the five-year mark and largely stabilized as the vehicles aged. For researchers, this pattern offers a practical lens for assessing the 2006 model's long-term reliability and ownership prospects.
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 11427542021. 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 | 11427542021 |
| Engine air filter | 13717521023 |
| Fuel filter | 16117373470 |
| Spark plug | 12122158252 |
| Battery | 61217591085 alt 61218381762 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612455442 |
| Thermostat | 11538632664 alt 11537586885 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319171858 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Overall length | 190.9 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 57.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 114.2 in |
| Curb weight | 3902 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61 / 61.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 51/49 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 15 / 23 / 18 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 99 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 550I 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Sedan 4.8L V8 | 5.20 sec | 13.70 sec | 360 hp | RWD |
| 2008 | Sedan 4.8L V8 | 4.80 sec | 13.30 sec | 360 hp | RWD |
| 2010 | Gran Turismo 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 5.20 sec | 13.60 sec | 400 hp | RWD |
| 2010 | Gran Turismo 4.4L Twin-Turbo V8 | 5.40 sec | 13.70 sec | 400 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 8.5 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 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | BMW part number 83220142516 |
| Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity | 10.5-11.5 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 3 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 8.5 qt |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | BMW MTF part number 83220309031 |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 310 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.63-3.00 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 720 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 95R |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 850 cca |
| Engine Compression | 130-261 PSI. 21 maximum variation. psi |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 22-26 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs / 48 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 1.181 in / 1.417 in / 0.945 in / 0.787 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 1.181 in / 1.417 in / 0.945 in / 0.787 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.882 in / 1.118 in / 0.724 in / 1.354 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi.
| Every 100,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, Inc. (BMW) is recalling certain 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, and 550i vehicles equipped with the Sport Seat option and certain 2006 525i, 525xi, 530i, 530xi, 550i… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will repair the occupant detection mat to eliminate the possibility that it may crack, replacing it as necessary, free of charge. The recall…
BMW of North America LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2006 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi sedans and 325xi sports wagons, model year 2007 328i, 328xi, 335i, 335xi sedans and 328i and 328xi sports wagons, model year… Remedy: BMW will notify owners with an interim notification letter in January 2014 since parts are not currently available. When parts are available, BMW sent a second letter in August…
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.
8.5 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 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.