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 2004 M3.
The 2004 BMW M3 is a passenger car built on the E46 platform, paired with a 6-speed automatic (S6) transmission and rated by the EPA at 15/21/17 mpg city/highway/combined. It requires 5.8 quarts of oil with viscosity specifications of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 meeting API SJ standards. In the context of the M3's complaint history spanning 1990 to 2025, the 2004 model year recorded 112 owner complaints—with exterior lighting cited as the most frequent issue—placing it well below the peak of 216 complaints seen in 2006 but notably above the model's lowest complaint year of 1996, suggesting moderate but not insignificant reliability concerns relative to its production span.
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 94R · 640 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.
| Engine oil filter | 11421741000 alt 11421719855 |
| Engine air filter | 13721730449 |
| Fuel filter | 13327831089 |
| Spark plug | 12120022902 |
| Battery | 61216924021 alt 61218381749 |
| Front wiper blades | 61617004901 alt 61612458347 |
| Thermostat | 11531318274 alt 11531318402 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319216590 alt 64318370409 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Overall length | 176.8 in |
| Overall width | 69.3 in |
| Overall height | 53.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 107.5 in |
| Curb weight | 3781 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 57.9 / 58.3 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 52/48 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 15 / 21 / 17 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 4.80 sec | 13.60 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
| 2003 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 5.00 sec | 13.50 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
| 2005 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 4.80 sec | 13.30 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
| 2002 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 4.80 sec | 13.40 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
| 2002 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 4.90 sec | 13.50 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
| 2002 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 5.00 sec | 13.60 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
| 2002 | Convertible 3.2L I-6 | 5.10 sec | 13.70 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
| 2001 | Coupe 3.2L I-6 | 4.50 sec | 13.10 sec | 333 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 5.8 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 1-5-3-6-2-4. 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.
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.5 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.8 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 221 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | 75 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 16 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 640 cca |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 28-32 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 176 °F |
| Engine Compression | 142-156 psi |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 49 ft-lbs / 81-96 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 1.039 in / 0.724 in |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15 ft. lbs., Step 3: 70 | 4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 25-29 ft. lbs. | 25–29 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 | |
| 1 | 14.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 50 | 14.5 ft. lbs |
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 federal year-by-year record supplied does not contain a 2004 entry, so model-year totals for complaints, recalls, investigations, and TSBs are not directly comparable to adjacent years. In the surrounding arc, 2001 logged 14 complaints, 4 recalls, and 23 TSBs, while 2005 jumped to 37 complaints, 3 recalls, 4 investigations, and 91 TSBs, and 2006 spiked further to 216 complaints and 9 recalls—placing 2004 at the front of a clear upward trend. For 2004 specifically, the available complaint categories show Exterior Lighting at 41, Air Bags at 22, Visibility at 8, and Electrical System at 6, along with 1 crash complaint and 3 fire complaints; the data does not specify root causes. Given that 2004 sits just before the 2005–2006 surge and already shows meaningful safety-related complaint volume, it is not the cleanest year on paper. Concrete takeaway: only buy a 2004 M3 if it has full service history and a pre-purchase inspection confirming the lighting, air-bag, and electrical systems are sound.
All 112 complaints on record, top 8 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 5 of 82 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. |
| B611305 | 2024-01-11 | Electrical System | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process… |
| B000706 | 2023-11-13 | Equipment | When using the Key Reader to retrieve information from the customerâÃÂÃÂs key, the… |
| 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… |
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.
5.8 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 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.