Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 550I.
The 2008 BMW 550i is an E60-platform model paired with an Automatic (S6) transmission, returning an EPA-estimated 15 city and 23 highway mpg for an 18 mpg combined average while requiring 8.5 quarts of API SJ oil in 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 viscosities. Examining the model's documented complaint history from 2011 to 2015 reveals a significant reliability peak of 172 issues in 2011 that dropped to a low of just 6 in 2014. Since the 2008 model year predates this tracked spike, it sits at the forefront of the model's reliability curve, meaning researchers must evaluate it as a precursor to the platform's most heavily complained-about era.
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 | 61217586961 alt 61217586962 |
| 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 | 3946 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Sedan 4.8L V8 | 4.80 sec | 13.30 sec | 360 hp | RWD |
| 2007 | Sedan 4.8L V8 | 5.20 sec | 13.70 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 | 1.76-1.80 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 5.40-6.80 oz |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 720 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 95R |
| 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 |
| 1 | 73 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 degrees, step 3: 60 degrees, step 4: 60 | 73 ft. lbs |
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) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) |
| At 150,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH V8 ENGINES, IN CONDITIONS OF BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES COMBINED WITH LOW HUMIDITY, IT IS POSSIBLE FOR ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE TO OCCUR AT THE FUEL RAILS. IF THIS WERE TO OCCUR, THE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL ATTACH TWO GROUND CABLES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 29, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.
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…
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.
Interactive fuse-box and wiring references for this vehicle, searchable by circuit.
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 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 15 city / 23 highway / 18 combined mpg.