Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2009 M3.
The 2009 BMW M3 rides on the E90 platform and pairs its high-capacity 9.3-quart lubrication system—specifying 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ oils—with the S7 automatic transmission to achieve EPA fuel economy figures of 14/20/16 mpg. Reliability data for the 2009 model shows 45 total owner complaints and five recalls, with Power Train representing the top complaint area. Against the broader 1990–2025 model timeline, this places the 2009 variant significantly below the 2006 high of 216 complaints while remaining above the 1996 low of one, indicating a moderate complaint volume for this generation.
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 48 · 570 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11427838276. 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 | 11427838276 alt 11427837997 |
| Engine air filter | 13727838804 |
| Spark plug | 12120032273 |
| Battery | 61217594976 alt 61217586962 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612468942 alt 61612468941 |
| Thermostat | 11537836155 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319159606 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S7) |
| Overall length | 181.9 in |
| Overall width | 70.9 in |
| Overall height | 55.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.7 in |
| Curb weight | 3649 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 60.6 / 60.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 14 / 20 / 16 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 93 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the M3 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.10 sec | 12.60 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2009 | Sedan 4.0L V8 | 4.30 sec | 12.70 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2008 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.10 sec | 12.60 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2008 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.10 sec | 12.50 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2008 | Sedan 4.0L V8 | 4.10 sec | 12.60 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2008 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.30 sec | 12.70 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2008 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.30 sec | 12.80 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2008 | Sedan 4.0L V8 | 4.30 sec | 12.70 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 9.3 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil. 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 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. 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.
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 9.3 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | Use Pentosin CHF 11S |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 1 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 18.4 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 221 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 570 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 640 cca |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 18-22 psi |
| Brake Application | WITH 11.49 inch ROTOR |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Brake Application | WITH 11.49 inch ROTOR |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.866 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.866 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.803 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.394 in |
| 1 | 44 ft. lbs., step 2: 40 degrees, step 3: 40 | 44 ft. lbs |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The E9X M3 generation's federal record shows a clear early-lifecycle spike: 2008 logged 82 complaints alongside 5 recalls and 127 TSBs, while 2007 (the introductory year) registered zero complaints with only 4 TSBs. The 2009 target year marks a notable cooling, with complaints dropping to 45 — roughly a 45 percent decline — while recalls hold steady at 5 and TSBs remain flat at 127, suggesting BMW was still actively issuing technical guidance but the most acute early-owner issues were subsiding. Complaints continued downward into 2010 (15) before a modest rebound in 2011 (41), placing 2009 in the descending arm of the generation's complaint arc rather than at its peak. Power Train dominates the 2009 complaint profile with 23 of 45 reports, followed by Air Bags (7) and Electrical System (4); the data does not specify root causes for any of these categories, and only 1 crash complaint with zero fire complaints was recorded. Given that 2009 sits past the worst of the 2008 surge and carries the same recall and TSB coverage as its predecessor — meaning known issues were already formally addressed — it represents a reasonable entry point into this generation, though a buyer should verify all five recalls were completed and budget for power train scrutiny given its outsized complaint share.
All 45 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 5 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The…
Showing 5 of 127 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B611305 | 2024-01-11 | Electrical System | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process… |
| B340714 | 2023-10-13 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a… |
| B662419 | 2022-09-01 | Equipment | Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible… |
| B610322 | 2022-03-01 | Electrical System | The footwell module (FRM) cannot be encoded after replacement. |
| B340414 | 2021-04-01 | Service Brakes, Air | Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused… |
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.
9.3 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 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.