Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 X3 3.0I.
The 2008 BMW X3 3.0I is a compact luxury SUV built on the E83 platform, blending the versatility of a five-door body with the refinement of BMW’s inline-six engine, which demands a 6.9-quart oil capacity under the hood. With EPA-estimated fuel economy figures of 17 city, 24 highway, and 20 combined mpg, it strikes a balance between power and efficiency, though its six-speed automatic transmission and relatively modest output reflect the priorities of its era. This model year sits in a transitional phase for the X3’s reliability history, marked by 190 owner complaints—most notably centered on airbag systems—and seven official recalls, signaling a period where build quality and long-term dependability were still being refined. For researchers, it represents a pivotal moment in the nameplate’s evolution, where early teething issues began to give way to the more polished iterations that followed.
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 48 · 570 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428683168. 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 | 11428683168 alt 11427953129 |
| Engine air filter | 13717542545 |
| Fuel filter | 16147186454 |
| Spark plug | 12122158253 |
| Battery | 61218381738 alt 61218381762 |
| Front wiper blades | 61610443590 alt 61613427726 |
| Thermostat | 17113438717 alt 11537549476 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319216590 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Overall length | 179.9 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 65.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 109.8 in |
| Curb weight | 4068 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 58.7 / 59.8 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 17 / 24 / 20 mpg |
| Drivetrain | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 6.9 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. 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.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.1 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.9 qt |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.9 qt |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | BMW MTF part number 83229408942 |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 92 ft-lbs, MT: 89 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 11 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Fill Plug | 24.0 ft-lbs |
| Transfer Case Drain Plug | 24.0 ft-lbs |
| Front Wheel Hub | 310 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 221 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 570 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 49 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 900 cca |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 17-21 psi |
| Engine Compression | 130-261 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 30 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 110 ft-lbs / 67 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.984 in / 0.866 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.984 in / 0.866 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.921 in / 0.803 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120 | 15 ft. lbs |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | Bolts 1-10 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 4 | 45 degrees | 45 degrees |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70 | 15 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi.
| Every 30,000 mi | Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) |
| Every 100,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
| At 120,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2008 BMW X3 3.0I dominate in one area — the air bags, 57 of 190 reports (30%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recalls 20V-017 and 17V-605 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming they were actually performed. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 9 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags 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.
All 190 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2006-2010 BMW X3 2.5i, X3 3.0i and X3 xDrive30i Sports Activity Vehicles. The front passenger seat occupant detection mat that determines if, and how, the passenger… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger seat occupant detection mat, free of charge. Interim owner notification letters were mailed on November 27…
Showing 5 of 147 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B012016 | 2025-03-13 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| B012016 | 2025-02-20 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| B410722 | 2024-04-04 | Structure | While driving the vehicle on normal roads at10mph and above, a "cracking" sound from the… |
| 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… |
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.
Interactive fuse-box and wiring references for this vehicle, searchable by circuit.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
6.9 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 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.