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 2000 740IL.
The 2000 BMW 740IL is built on the E38 platform and features a 5-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle requires 7.9 quarts of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ oil and returns an EPA rating of 15/22/18 mpg. In the context of the 1993-2001 model history, the 2000 iteration recorded 20 owner complaints—primarily regarding tires—and two recalls, positioning it between the series peak of 37 complaints in 1998 and the minimum of 4 in 1994.
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 · 950 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 5-spd |
| Overall length | 201.6 in |
| Overall width | 73.2 in |
| Overall height | 56.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 120.9 in |
| Curb weight | 4288 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61 / 61.4 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 51/49 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 15 / 22 / 18 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 107 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
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 | 950 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.
The 2000 BMW 740IL shows 20 complaints and 2 recalls, positioning it as a year with elevated complaint activity following the unusually low 1999 figures (7 complaints). Compared to the generation peak of 37 complaints in 1998, the 2000 model represents a moderate level of issues rather than a extreme, though it remains higher than the 1993-1997 baseline average of 11 complaints. The two recalls match the 2001 count and exceed the single recalls seen in 1998-1999, indicating the manufacturer addressed more defects through formal campaigns that year. The top complaint area is tires (4 instances), with electrical system, brakes, and power train each accounting for 2 complaints—suggesting no single dominant systemic failure. With zero crash complaints and only one fire complaint, severe safety-related incidents appear rare in the data. The 2000 model year falls in the middle of this generation's arc: it is not the worst (1998) but also not as trouble-free as 1999, and it carries the same recall burden as the subsequent 2001 model. A concrete takeaway is that the 2000 740IL is a reasonable candidate within this generation if thoroughly inspected for tire condition and electrical system integrity, but buyers should not expect the improved reliability suggested by the 1999 low point.
All 20 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 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…
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BRAKE LAMPS IN THESE VEHICLES ARE CONTROLLED BY A SWITCH ACTIVATED BY THE MOVEMENT OF THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS SWITCH COULD FAIL INTERNALLY, CAUSING IT TO REMAIN EITHER IN THE… Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE EXISTING BRAKE LAMP SWITCH WITH AN IMPROVED SWITCH.
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… |
| B650916 | 2018-11-01 | Equipment | Radio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide |
| B122917 | 2017-12-01 | Equipment | SERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1… |
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 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 15 city / 22 highway / 18 combined mpg.