Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 740I.
The 2001 BMW 740I is the E38-platform sedan paired with an automatic (S5) transmission and a 7.9-quart oil capacity specifying 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ viscosity, while EPA ratings register at 14 mpg city, 19 mpg highway, and 16 mpg combined. Across the model’s 1993–2016 complaint history, a period in which owner reports peaked at 22 for the 1993 model and fell to a single complaint for 1996, the 2001 model year lands near the middle of that range with 15 total complaints and four recalls. Engine-related issues stand as the top complaint area, meaning this model year carries a moderate documented issue load relative to the broader production span.
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 95R · 850 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11421741000. 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 | 11421741000 alt 11427510717 |
| Engine air filter | 13721736675 |
| Fuel filter | 13321702632 |
| Spark plug | 12129071003 alt 12120037607 |
| Battery | 61216902796 |
| Front wiper blades | 61618203954 alt 61618361475 |
| Thermostat | 11511705408 alt 11531436386 |
| Cabin air filter | 64312339888 alt 64118391385 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S5) |
| Overall length | 196.1 in |
| Overall width | 73.2 in |
| Overall height | 56.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 115.4 in |
| Curb weight | 4255 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61 / 61.4 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 51/49 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 14 / 19 / 16 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 100 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the 740I 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 740 740iL Sedan 4.4L V8 | 6.60 sec | 15.00 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
| 2000 | 740 740i Sedan 4.4L V8 | 5.90 sec | 15.50 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
| 2000 | 740 740iL Protection Sedan 4.4L V8 | 7.70 sec | 16.00 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
| 1998 | 740 740iL 4.4L V8 | 6.80 sec | 15.20 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
| 1996 | 740 740iL Sedan 4.4L V8 | 6.90 sec | 15.20 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
| 1995 | 740 740iL Sedan 4.0L V8 | 7.90 sec | 16.00 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
| 1995 | 740 740i Sedan 4.0L V8 | 8.00 sec | 16.10 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
| 1995 | 740 740i Sedan 4.0L V8 | 8.40 sec | 16.60 sec | 282 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 7.9 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 22.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. 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 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 3 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 7.9 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 22.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 221 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
| Ignition Coil Primary Resistance | 0.4-0.8 ohms |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.148-3.00 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 95R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 850 cca |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 15-17 ohms |
| Engine Compression | 174-203 psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 7.25 at idle, 65.25 regulated. psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 49 ft-lbs / 81-96 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 1.118 in / 0.409 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 73 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 degrees, step 3: 60 degrees, step 4: 30 | 73 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 80 degrees | 80 degrees |
| 3 | 80 | |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Within the 1993 to 2001 data sequence, complaint volumes stabilized after an initial high of 22 in 1993, only to climb steadily from 8 in 1999 to 15 in 2001. Recall activity follows a similar upward trajectory at the end of this period, with 2001 logging 4 recalls, the highest count since 1995, while Technical Service Bulletins remained consistent at 8 compared to the prior year. Specific federal complaints for 2001 cite Engine, Air Bags, and Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System categories with 2 reports each, plus 2 crash complaints and 1 fire complaint, though the data does not specify the root cause for these failures. While later years in the provided record show vastly higher TSB counts starting in 2011, the 2001 model represents the peak of reported complaints and recalls in its immediate 1993-2001 cohort. This positioning indicates the vehicle ended this production run with accumulating reported issues rather than improving reliability compared to the 1998-2000 models. Consequently, given the rising trend in complaints and recalls, this is not the optimal year to buy.
All 15 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
FCP GROTON IS RECALLING CERTAIN STEERING CENTER DRAG LINKS, P/N 32 21 1 096 057, SOLD FROM DECEMBER 1, 2009 THROUGH APRIL 9, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR MODEL YEAR 1995 THROUGH 2001 BMW 740I, 740IL, AND 750IL… Remedy: FCP GROTON WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND THE TIE ROD WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR ABOUT JUNE 1, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FCP GROTON…
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE AUXILIARY/COOLING FAN OPERATION, INCLUDING VARIABLE SPEED, IS ELECTRONICALLY CONTROLLED. FAILURE OF THE FAN MOTOR CAN CAUSE THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUITRY OF THE FAN CONTROL UNIT TO… Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FAN. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 28, 2001. THIS IS A SUPPLEMENT TO A RECALL THAT BEGAN DURING SEPTEMBER 2001 (SEE RECALL CAMPAIGN 01V206). OWNERS…
Showing 5 of 8 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. |
| 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… |
| B662419 | 2022-09-01 | Equipment | Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible… |
| B650916 | 2018-11-01 | Equipment | Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide |
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.
7.9 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.
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined mpg.