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 1991 M5.
The 1991 BMW M5 is an E34-chassis performance sedan equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, returning EPA figures of 10 city, 19 highway, and 13 combined mpg. Its engine calls for 6.1 quarts of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ oil — a straightforward service requirement for a car now well into its fourth decade. Within the model's complaint history spanning 1990 through 2022, this early production year sits at the beginning of a record that ranges from a peak of 123 complaints in 2006 down to a single reported case in 2010. That wide spread underscores that the E34 M5's long-term reliability is far from uniform, meaning any surviving 1991 example should be evaluated on its individual maintenance and ownership history rather than on broad model averages.
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 OE oil filter 11429063138. 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 | 11429063138 |
| Engine air filter | 13721730918 |
| Fuel filter | 13321268231 |
| Spark plug | 12129061867 |
| Front wiper blades | 61618355052 alt 61618361475 |
| Serpentine belt | 32421706597 alt 11231315357 |
| Thermostat | 11537835558 alt 11531312287 |
| Cabin air filter | 64311390836 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Manual 5-spd |
| Overall length | 185.8 in |
| Overall width | 68.9 in |
| Overall height | 54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.3 in |
| Curb weight | 3803 lb |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 10 / 19 / 13 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 91 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 13 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the M5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Sedan 3.5L I-6 | 5.60 sec | 14.20 sec | 311 hp | RWD |
| 1991 | Sedan 3.5L I-6 | 6.40 sec | 14.90 sec | 311 hp | RWD |
| 1991 | Sedan 3.5L I-6 | 6.40 sec | 15.00 sec | 311 hp | RWD |
| 1992 | Sedan 3.5L I-6 | 5.60 sec | 14.30 sec | 311 hp | RWD |
| 1993 | Sedan 3.5L I-6 | 6.20 sec | 14.60 sec | 310 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 6.1 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 | 4 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.1 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 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
SCREWS THAT ATTACH WHEEL COVERS ON ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEELS WERE NOT FULLY TORQUED AND MAY GRADUALLY LOOSEN AND SEPARATE FROM WHEELS UNDER EXTREME DRIVING CONDITIONS. Remedy: APPLY "LOCTITE 242 (BLUE) TO THE WHEEL COVER ATTACHING SCREWS TO PREVENT SCREWS FROM LOOSENING.
THE AIR BAG CONTACT RING LOCKING TAB LOCATED IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAN BREAK WITHOUT WARNING. Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LOCKING TAB WITH ONE OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN.
Showing 3 of 3 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… |
| 110106 | 2006-03-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | S85 ENGINE OIL LEVEL AND OIL SERVICE INFORMATION. *AK |
| MSG1117 | 1996-10-07 | Unknown Or Other | ANNOUNCEMENT THAT OWNERS OF VEHICLES INVOLVED IN RECALLS 96V110 AND 96V111 WILL BE… |
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.
6.1 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 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 10 city / 19 highway / 13 combined mpg.