Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1990 M3.
The 1990 BMW M3 pairs a five-speed manual transmission with an engine that takes 4.6 quarts of oil in grades ranging from 15W-40 to 10W-30 API SJ, and EPA ratings of 15 city, 26 highway, and 18 combined mpg put its fuel consumption in concrete terms. The oil viscosity and specification data give researchers a concrete reference for the engine's lubrication requirements, while the MPG figures anchor the car's efficiency profile at the start of the lineage's complaint history. In that broader record spanning 1990 to 2025, this model year sits in the quiet early shoulder of the curve, with the lowest annual count recorded in 1996 and a sharp peak of 216 complaints arriving in 2006 — a trajectory that frames the 1990 car as one of the cleaner entries in the model's reliability ledger.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Manual 5-spd |
| Overall length | 171.3 in |
| Overall width | 66.1 in |
| Overall height | 53.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 101.2 in |
| Curb weight | 2866 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 55.1 / 54.7 in |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 15 / 26 / 18 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Coupe 2.3L I-4 | 6.90 sec | 15.20 sec | 192 hp | RWD |
| 1988 | Coupe 2.3L I-4 | 7.10 sec | 15.40 sec | 192 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.6 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, GL-5 in the differential.
| Differential Gear Oil | GL-5 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 3.6 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.6 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
THE MALFUNCTION OR FAILURE OF A COOLANT SYSTEM COMPONENT RESULTS IN SIGNIFICANTLY INCREASED COOLANT TEMPERATURE AND A RESULTING INCREASE IN SYSTEM PRESSURE. Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A THERMOSTATIC BYPASS VALVE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT TO CONTROL COOLANT TEMPERATURE IN THE HEATER CORE. ALSO, A NEW DESIGN RADIATOR CAP WILL BE INSTALLED, TO…
Showing 1 of 1 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B340714 | 2023-10-13 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a… |
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.
4.6 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 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 15 city / 26 highway / 18 combined mpg.