Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1990 735i.
The 1990 BMW 735i pairs a four-speed automatic transmission with EPA fuel economy ratings of 14 city, 20 highway, and 16 combined mpg, while its engine's 6.1-quart oil capacity calls for 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ viscosity. Across the 735i's 1990–1995 complaint history, this model year records four owner complaints and two recalls—below the 1992 high of six but above the 1995 low of one—with Engine & Engine Cooling as the top complaint area. That places the 1990 on the quieter side of the generation's reliability curve, suggesting a relatively settled early-year example whose primary ownership concern centers on cooling-related components rather than the broader issue volumes that define later model years.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd |
| Overall length | 197.6 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 55.1 in |
| Wheelbase | 116.1 in |
| Curb weight | 3836 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.8 / 60.6 in |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 14 / 20 / 16 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 101 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the 735i 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Sedan 3.4L I-6 | 9.10 sec | 16.80 sec | 208 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 6.1 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, GL-5 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | GL-5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 4.9 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.1 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Across this generation, federal records reveal a trend of moderate complaints and recalls that peak in 1992 with 6 complaints and 3 recalls, before dropping significantly from 1993 onward. The 1990 BMW 735i sits at the beginning of this arc, registering a moderate 4 complaints and 2 recalls before the generation's issues escalated. Its four complaints are evenly distributed across Engine & Engine Cooling, the Electrical System, a combination of Engine & Exterior Lighting, and Fuel System, Gasoline, though the data does not specify the root causes for these issues. Encouragingly, the 1990 model reported zero crash and fire complaints. Because 1990 predates the generation's peak problem year but carries more initial regulatory flags than the later, more stable 1993-1994 models, it is a reasonable used buy provided the two early recalls have been properly resolved.
All 4 complaints on record, top 4 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CAN FAIL ALLOWING THE SWITCH TO REMAIN IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS OFF" POSITION OR IN THE "BRAKE LIGHTS ON" POSITION. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED SWITCH.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT, SUCH AS A THERMOSTAT, WATER PUMP, OR FAN BELT, CAN RESULT IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND SYSTEM… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP TO CONTROL PRESSURE AND PROVIDE GREATER COOLANT OVERFLOW IN THE EVENT OF OVERHEATING.
Showing 2 of 2 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. |
| MSG1016 | 1996-10-01 | Exterior Lighting | RECALL 96V111 - THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN INVOLVES THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *TW |
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.
6.1 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 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.