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 1996 850CI.
The 1996 BMW 850Ci is the grand touring coupe built on the E31 platform, equipped with an automatic 5-speed transmission and an engine that takes a substantial 8.5 quarts of oil. EPA ratings of 12 mpg city and 19 highway reflect its high-performance character. Within the 1991–1997 production span, this model year recorded just two owner complaints—both concerning visibility—and zero recalls, a slight uptick from the single complaint logged for 1992, confirming that the 850Ci remains an exceptionally trouble-free classic.
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 93 · 800 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11427510717. 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 | 11427510717 |
| Engine air filter | 13721720861 |
| Fuel filter | 13321720101 |
| Spark plug | 12129070999 |
| Front wiper blades | 61610134601 alt 61618192874 |
| Serpentine belt | 11287636368 alt 11288672072 |
| Thermostat | 11511704512 alt 11531704704 |
| Cabin air filter | 64312339891 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd |
| Overall length | 188.2 in |
| Overall width | 73.2 in |
| Overall height | 52.8 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.5 in |
| Curb weight | 4167 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 61 / 61.4 in |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 12 / 19 / 15 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
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 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.
| 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 | 8.5 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | M6 bolts: 7.4 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | M6 bolts: 7.4 ft-lbs |
| Driveshaft Flange to Transmission | 179.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-7-5-11-3-9-6-12-2-8-4-10 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 3.42 lbs |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Oil Capacity | 5.40-6.10 oz |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 93 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 800 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 91 |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 15-17 ohms |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 7.25 at idle, 59-65 regulated. psi |
| Intake Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18 |
| 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 | 73 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 60 degrees | 60 degrees |
| 3 | 60 | |
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 1996 BMW 850CI falls within a generation (1991–1997) characterized by consistently low consumer complaint volumes and declining recall activity over time. Recall counts dropped from a peak of 2 in 1994 to just 1 in 1995 before reaching zero in 1997, suggesting that the model's most significant manufacturing issues were progressively addressed as the generation matured. Notably, 1996 itself does not appear in the federal record dataset, making it impossible to directly assess its recall activity for that specific year. The available 1996 complaint data shows only one complaint each in Visibility and Power Train categories, with zero crash-related or fire-related complaints reported. Given that the trend arc indicates diminishing recall burden toward the end of the generation and that the 850CI's target year exhibits no crash or fire complaints, the model appears to enter its later years with resolved or stabilizing defect patterns. However, because 1996 is absent from the federal record entirely, prospective buyers should treat this gap as an unknown and conduct thorough pre-purchase diagnostics, particularly for the power train and visibility systems noted in the limited complaint data.
All 2 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
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. |
| 72/07/96 | 1996-12-01 | Equipment | CHILD AIRBAG LETTER, WARNING LABEL AND SAFETY REFERENCE CARD. *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.
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.
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 12 city / 19 highway / 15 combined mpg.