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 1997 850CI.
The 1997 BMW 850CI, built on the E31 platform, is a grand-touring coupe powered by a V12 engine that requires 8.5 quarts of oil (recommended viscosities include 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ) and returns EPA fuel economy of 15 mpg combined (12 city/19 highway) through a 5-speed automatic transmission. As the final model year of the E31 generation (1991–1997), this 850CI benefits from a reliability record that shows only one owner complaint on file—focused on the electrical system—and zero recalls, placing it among the most trouble-free years of the series.
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 |
| 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 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.
| 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 |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 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.
Across the 1991–1995 model years, the 850CI carried a steady recall burden with one or two federal recalls annually and minimal owner complaints, a pattern that shifts distinctly by 1997. The 1997 model records zero recalls for the first time in this generation, yet it registers two technical service bulletins—double the count of every prior year in the dataset—and one complaint. The sole 1997 owner complaint is categorized under the electrical system, and the record flags one fire-related complaint for the year, though the data does not specify a root cause. Positioned at the end of the production arc shown, 1997 represents a pivot from systemic recall exposure toward isolated service-bulletin and quality issues. For a buyer, this implies lower likelihood of unaddressed safety-level defects but a need for diligence on electrical and thermal integrity given the unspecified fire complaint. On balance, the federal record makes 1997 one of the cleaner years of this generation to purchase, provided a pre-buy inspection verifies the electrical system and the specific fire-related history of the candidate vehicle.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 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. |
| 00/11/96R | 1996-10-01 | Unknown Or Other | NEW VEHICLE PREPARATION AND MAINTENANCE REQUIREMENTS. *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.