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E64 platform

2008 BMW M6 - E64

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 M6.

Transmission Automatic (S7)

The 2008 BMW M6 on the E64 platform pairs its high-performance grand-touring chassis with a seven-speed automatic transmission and a thirsty powerplant — its 10.4-quart oil capacity hinting at the engine's substantial displacement, while EPA fuel economy of 11 city, 17 highway, and 13 combined underscores the trade-off for that output. Owner feedback for this model year is relatively contained at just two total complaints spanning the steering, power train, and electrical system, alongside a single recall. Within the M6's broader complaint history from 2006 through 2019, 2008 represents an early-model-year improvement over the 2006 debut's peak of seven complaints, positioning it as a year where the worst teething issues had begun to subside but before the model reached its later low-complaint maturity around 2017 — making it a more settled choice than the launch year, though not yet the most trouble-free the lineup would offer.

Model year20182017201620152014201020092008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity10.4 qtOEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy11/17/13 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 49 · 900 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.

Battery groupBCI 49 · 900 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11421741000 alt 11427840594
Engine air filter13727834714 alt 13727834715
Fuel filter16117373525 alt 16117373470
Spark plug12120032273
Front wiper blades61617177375 alt 61617177376
Thermostat11537836155
Cabin air filter64319171858

Diagrams

Fuse box diagramfiguresPower distribution wiring6 sheets

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.7 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height53.9 in
Wheelbase109.4 in
Curb weight4398 lb
Track (front / rear)60.2 / 61.4 in

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined11 / 17 / 13 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Passenger volume82 cu ft
Cargo volume13 cu ft
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the M6 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

4.1–4.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 4.10 sec — 2006 Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2006Coupe 5.0L V104.10 sec12.40 sec500 hpRWD
2006Coupe 5.0L V104.10 sec12.40 sec500 hpRWD
2006Coupe 5.0L V104.90 sec13.50 sec500 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.3 Pints
Engine OilSYNTHETIC
Engine Oil Capacity10.4 qt
Power Steering FluidUse Pentosin CHF 11S
Power Steering FluidATF

Engine torques

Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-6-5-10-2-7-3-8-4-9
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance900 cca
Optional BCI Group Number49
Optional BCI Cranking Performance850 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test29.0 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief28-32 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature----- °F

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH 12 inch ROTOR / WITH 13 inch ROTOR
Torque Caliper to Bracket18-22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Brake ApplicationWITH 12 inch ROTOR / WITH 13 inch ROTOR
Rotor Nominal Thickness From1.181 in / 0.945 in / 1.417 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To1.181 in / 0.945 in / 1.417 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
118 ft. lbs., step 2: 44 ft. lbs, step 3: 40 degrees, step 4: 4018 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

129.5 ft. lbs.29.5 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 15,000 mi; spark plugs every 100,000 mi.

Every 15,000 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 25,000 miBrake Linings (inspect)
Every 32,000 miBrake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (inspect)
Every 100,000 miOxygen Sensor (replace) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2008 BMW M6 - E64 dominate in one area — the steering,power train,electrical system, 2 of 2 reports (100%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 1 recall campaigns target the steering,power train,electrical system, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the steering,power train,electrical system pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
47
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
2
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent
’06’07’08’09’10’13’14’15’16’17’18’19

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 2 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Steering,Power Train,Electrical System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

12V126000Electrical System:12V/24V/48V Battery:CablesReported 26/03/2012

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 5-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2004-2010 6-SERIES, MODEL YEAR 2006-2010 M5, AND MODEL YEAR 2007-2010 M6 VEHICLES. THE INSULATED BULKHEAD CONNECTOR FOR THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE MAY… Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND SECURE THE BATTERY BOLT CABLE CONNECTION AS NECESSARY, FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 47 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B6113052024-01-11Electrical SystemThe electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process…
B3407142023-10-13Service Brakes, HydraulicFunctional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a…
B3404142021-04-01Service Brakes, AirDiagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused…
B6113052020-10-01Electrical SystemDischarged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW…
B0124172018-11-01EquipmentCLASS ACTION LAWSUIT SETTLEMENT: 6 SERIES (E64) CONVERTIBLE TOP FUNCTION AND OPERATIONAL…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific M6. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 49 batteryVehicles taking 10.4 qtE64-platform vehiclesEngine oil filter 11421741000Engine air filter 13727834714Fuel filter 16117373525Spark plug 12120032273

Fuse box & wiring diagrams

Interactive fuse-box and wiring references for this vehicle, searchable by circuit.

Wiring diagrams

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 M6 take?

10.4 qt of USE ONLY BMW HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL BMW PART NO. 07510017866 OR EQUIVALENT, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 M6 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the M6 get?

EPA figures are 11 city / 17 highway / 13 combined mpg.