BMW750IL2001Overview/bmw/750il/2001/base/
E38 platform

2001 BMW 750IL

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2001 750IL.

Transmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2001 BMW 750IL rides on the E38 platform with a 5-speed automatic transmission and carries an 8.5-quart oil capacity spec'd for 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ grades, delivering EPA ratings of 12 city, 18 highway, and 14 combined mpg. In the broader E38 complaint history spanning 1990 through 2001, this final model year logged four owner complaints — primarily in the fuel and propulsion system — and was subject to four recalls, placing it well below the 1998 peak of six complaints but above the 1991 low of one. That positioning suggests the 2001 cars inherited the platform's matured engineering while still reflecting the V12's complex fuel-system demands that persisted to the end of the run.

Model year200120001999199819971996199519941993

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 torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy12/18/14 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 · 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.

Battery groupBCI 95R · 850 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnTAILOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11421741000 alt 11427510717
Engine air filter13721702908
Fuel filter13321702632
Spark plug12129071003
Battery61216902796
Front wiper blades61618361475 alt 61618203954
Thermostat11511705408 alt 11531436852
Cabin air filter64312339888 alt 64118391385

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length201.6 in
Overall width73.2 in
Overall height56.3 in
Wheelbase120.9 in
Curb weight4597 lb
Track (front / rear)61 / 61.4 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined12 / 18 / 14 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume107 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

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 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-7-5-11-3-9-6-12-2-8-4-10. 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 Capacity3 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity8.5 qt

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub221 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-7-5-11-3-9-6-12-2-8-4-10
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance0.8 ohms
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.148-3.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number95R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance850 cca
Optional BCI Group Number48
Optional BCI Cranking Performance650 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance15-17 ohms
Engine Compression142-171 psi
Engine Oil Pressure7.25 at idle, 59-65 regulated. psi
Intake Valve LashHydraulic in
Exhaust Valve LashHydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket18-22 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle49 ft-lbs / 81-96 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under1.197 in / 0.724 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: 6073 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
260 degrees60 degrees
360 degrees60 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Every 100,000 miOxygen Sensor (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.

The 2001 BMW 750IL sits at the end of the provided federal record, where the generation shows a fluctuating but overall increasing trend in recalls. For the 2001 model year, there were 4 complaints and 4 recalls, representing a doubling of both metrics compared to the 2000 model year. This recall volume matches the historical peak seen in 1995, placing the 2001 model at the high end of the generation's recall arc. Complaints for 2001 were distributed across the Fuel/Propulsion System, Fuel System (Gasoline), Engine & Engine Cooling, and the Electrical System, though the data does not specify the root causes. While there were no reported crash or fire complaints and 8 TSBs were issued, the increase in recalls and complaints relative to the preceding year is notable. Given that this year represents a peak in recalls for the record, it is not a recommended year to buy.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
8
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
4
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 4 complaints on record, top 4 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System1
Engine & Engine Cooling,Electrical System1
Fuel System, Gasoline1
Engine & Engine Cooling1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10E021000Steering:Linkages:Drag:Link:ConnectionReported 27/05/2010

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…

02V138000Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System:FanReported 16/05/2002

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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 8 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.
B1606232023-12-20Engine And Engine CoolingEngine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel…
B6534232023-11-22Electrical SystemCustomers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their…
B6509162018-11-01EquipmentRadio / Navigation / Head Unit Identification Guide
B1229172017-12-01EquipmentSERVICE ACTION: PROGRAM DME: The incorrect dataset could be programmed into DME 5.2.1…

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 750IL. 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 2001 750IL 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 2001 750IL have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 750IL get?

EPA figures are 12 city / 18 highway / 14 combined mpg.