BMW745I2003Overview/bmw/745i/2003/base/
E65 platform

2003 BMW 745I

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2003 745I.

Transmission Automatic 6-spd

The 2003 BMW 745i, built on the E65 platform, channels its output through a 6-speed automatic transmission and demands a substantial 8.5 quarts of oil, with approved viscosities of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 meeting API SJ. EPA ratings stand at 16 mpg city, 24 highway, and 19 combined, reflecting the balance of luxury and efficiency expected from this generation.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity8.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJOEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/24/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 95R · 800 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11427511161. 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.

Battery groupBCI 95R · 800 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11427511161
Engine air filter13717505007
Fuel filter16126750475
Spark plug12120037607 alt 12129071003
Battery61217591085
Front wiper blades61610442837
Thermostat11538632664 alt 11537586885
Cabin air filter64119272643

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 6-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length198 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height58.7 in
Wheelbase117.7 in
Curb weight4376 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 24 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume104 cu ft
Cargo volume18 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the 745I of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.0–6.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.00 sec — 2004 745 745i Sedan (Sport)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2002745 745i Sedan 4.4L V86.00 sec14.40 sec325 hpRWD
2002745 745i Sedan 4.4L V86.20 sec14.70 sec325 hpRWD
2004745 745i Sedan (Sport) 4.4L V86.00 sec14.60 sec325 hpRWD
2004745 745i Sedan (Sport) 4.4L V86.10 sec14.30 sec325 hpRWD
2004745 745Li Sedan (Sport) 4.4L V86.10 sec14.50 sec325 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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 103 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.9 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity8.5 qt
Power Steering FluidATF

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.148-3.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Optional BCI Group Number49
Optional BCI Cranking Performance900 cca
Standard BCI Group Number95R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca

Service checks

Engine Compression174-203 psi
Engine Oil Pressure14.5 psi @ Idle, 58-87 normal operation psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket81 ft-lbs / 18-22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle96-111 ft-lbs / 49 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in / 0.945 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.181 in / 0.945 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.118 in / 0.882 in
Rotor Finish0.5 - 3.5 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
173 ft. lbs., step 2: 60 degrees, step 3: 60 degrees, step 4: 6073 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390

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 miOxygen Sensor (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

03V324000Engine And Engine CoolingReported 26/08/2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE ENGINE OIL FILTER DRAIN PLUG MAY BE INSUFFICIENTLY TIGHTENED. THIS COULD LEAD TO LOOSENING OF THE PLUG CAUSING AN INITIAL OIL SPRAY AND A SUBSEQUENT OIL LEAK. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TORQUE OF THE OIL FILTER DRAIN PLUG AND, IF NECESSARY, RETIGHTEN THE DRAIN PLUG WITH THE CORRECTLY SPECIFIED TORQUE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON SEPTEMBER…

03V240000Engine And Engine CoolingReported 01/07/2003

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, DUE TO A SOFTWARE ERROR, A DESYNCHRONIZATION OF THE VALVETRONIC MOTORS FOR ENGINE BANKS I AND II MAY OCCUR. IF THIS OCCURS, THE ENGINE COULD STALL. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE DIGITAL ENGINE MANAGEMENT CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JULY 8, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT BMW AT 1-800-831-1117.

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 745I. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2003 745I take?

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.

Does the 2003 745I have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 745I get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 24 highway / 19 combined mpg.