Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 M5.
The 2002 BMW M5 is a passenger car built on the E39 platform, featuring a 7.0‑qt engine oil capacity with recommended viscosities of 15W‑40, 10W‑40 or 10W‑30 API SJ and a manual six‑speed transmission delivering EPA‑rated fuel economy of 12/19/15 mpg. Its reliability record shows 20 total owner complaints, with visibility as the top complaint area and four recalls issued. Within the broader M5 complaint history spanning 1990‑2022, the 2002 model’s complaint total sits well below the peak of 123 complaints in 2006 and only slightly above the low of just one complaint in 2010. This positions the 2002 M5 toward the reliable end of the model’s complaint spectrum, indicating fewer reported issues than most years in the surveyed range.
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 95R · 850 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 11427510717 |
| Engine air filter | 13721736675 |
| Fuel filter | 13321407299 |
| Spark plug | 12129071003 alt 12120037607 |
| Battery | 61218381762 |
| Front wiper blades | 61619070579 |
| Thermostat | 11537835558 alt 11531312287 |
| Cabin air filter | 64312207985 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Manual 6-spd |
| Overall length | 188.2 in |
| Overall width | 70.9 in |
| Overall height | 56.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 111.4 in |
| Curb weight | 4023 lb |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 52/48 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 12 / 19 / 15 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Passenger volume | 93 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 11 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Sedan 4.9L V8 | 4.60 sec | 13.08 sec | 394 hp | RWD |
| 2001 | Sedan 4.9LV8 | 4.70 sec | 13.20 sec | 394 hp | RWD |
| 2001 | Sedan 4.9L V8 | 4.75 sec | 13.07 sec | 394 hp | RWD |
| 2003 | Sedan 4.9L V8 | 4.90 sec | 13.40 sec | 394 hp | RWD |
| 2000 | Sedan 4.9L V8 | 4.70 sec | 13.20 sec | 394 hp | RWD |
| 2000 | Sedan 4.9L V8 | 4.80 sec | 13.30 sec | 394 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 7.0 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0 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.
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 4 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 7.0 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 22.0 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 |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 95R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 850 cca |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 28-32 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 174 °F |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 15-17 ohms |
| Engine Compression | 174-203 psi |
| Engine Oil Pressure | 7.25 |
| Intake Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Exhaust Valve Lash | Hydraulic in |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 81 ft-lbs / 18-22 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81-96 ft-lbs / 49 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 1.197 in / 0.724 in |
| 1 | 44 ft. lbs., step 2: 50 degrees, step 3: 50 | 44 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 80 degrees | 80 degrees |
| 3 | 80 | |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi.
| At 1,200 mi | Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) |
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
In the federal record, 2002 shows 20 complaints and 4 recalls, which exceeds the 4 complaints and 3 recalls recorded in 2001 and the 18 complaints and 3 recalls recorded in 2003. The complaint trajectory rises sharply from the low single‑digit figures of the late 1990s to this peak before modestly declining in the following year, indicating that 2002 sits at the early apex of the generation’s complaint arc. The four recall actions in 2002 are comparable to those in adjacent years, and the data does not specify a root cause for the complaints. The most frequently cited complaint categories are Visibility, Fuel System, Gasoline, and Exterior Lighting, each appearing in three complaints, with Engine & Engine Cooling contributing two, and only one crash and one fire complaint are noted. Consequently, while the 2002 M5 does not carry the extreme recall burden of later years, its elevated complaint level relative to immediate neighbors suggests a moderately higher risk, making it a cautious choice for purchase.
All 20 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2000-2002 BMW 320i, 323i, 325i, 325xi, 330i, 330xi, 323Ci, 325Ci, 330Ci, M3, 323iT, 325iT and 325xiT vehicles, 2001-2002 525i, 530i, 540i, M5, 525iT and 540iT… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the driver side air bag module, replacing it…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2002-2005 325i, 325xi, 330i, and 330xi Sedans, and 325xi and 325i Sportswagons, 2002-2006 330Ci, 325Ci, and M3 Convertibles and 325i, 330i, and M3 Coupes… Remedy: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the vehicle has been remedied. BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front driver air bag module, free of…
Showing 5 of 49 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. |
| B160623 | 2023-12-20 | Engine And Engine Cooling | Engine will crank but not start. There is no communication with the integrated fuel… |
| B653423 | 2023-11-22 | Electrical System | Customers may state that the alarm system (DWA) is not active after locking their… |
| B660523 | 2023-10-19 | Vehicle Speed Control | Various functions of the camera-based driver assistance systems (ADCAM system) can lead… |
| 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.
7.0 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 12 city / 19 highway / 15 combined mpg.