What oil does a 2001–2005 BMW 3 Series (M54) take?

5W-30 or 0W-30 (BMW LL-01), 6.9 qt (6.5 L) with a filter change.

2001–2005

BMW 3 Series

2.5L/3.0L I6 (M54) M54 Sedan/Coupe/Convertible/Wagon (E46)

The last analog 3 Series — cheap parts, honest wrenching, and it'll outlive its own cooling system if you stay ahead of it.

Engine Oil

Viscosity‼

✓ verified

Any LL-01 approved full synthetic

src: E46 oil guides + BMW Tuning

Capacity (with filter)

6.5 L✓ verified

M54B25 and B30 both ~6.5 L — set final level by dipstick

src: E46 Fanatics + M54 spec pages

Oil filter

✓ verified

Kit includes cap o-ring + drain seal

src: FCP Euro + BimmerWorld

Drain plug torque‼

25 Nm◐ pending

Hollow plug — easy to snap, don't gorilla it

src: BMW Tuning E46 guide

Fluids

Coolant‼

✓ verified

50/50 with distilled; HT-12 green back-serves G48 cars

src: FCP Euro coolant guide

ATF (automatic)‼

◐ pending

GM A5S360R took ETL-7045E, A5S390R ETL-8072B — both superseded; ZF boxes take LT 71141. Match the trans tag

src: Turner supersession + E46 Fanatics

Brake fluid‼

✓ verified

Flush every 2 years

src: BimmerWorld brake fluid guide

Fuel

◐ pending

Manual allows lower octane with reduced performance

src: BMW owner's manual (quoted)

Filters & Ignition

Engine air filter

◐ pending

Also fits E39/E38/X3/Z4 six-cylinders

src: BimmerWorld OEM listing

Cabin filter

— in verification queue

Being confirmed

Spark plugs

✓ verified

Multi-electrode, pre-gapped — don't adjust

src: BimmerWorld + OEM Bimmer Parts

Electrical

Battery

◐ pending

Pre-IBS era — no battery registration needed

src: FCP Euro fitment + BimmerTech

Key fob battery

— in verification queue

Being confirmed — this era's fobs recharge in the ignition

Wheels & Wipers

Wheel bolt torque‼

120 Nm✓ verified

M12 bolts — torque wrench, star pattern, never the impact

src: BimmerWorld + Bimmer Guides

Tire pressure

— in verification queue

Varies by size/load — run the driver-door placard values

Wipers

— in verification queue

Being confirmed — sizes vary by trim

Service

Oil change interval

— in verification queue

SI-light era — factory figure being confirmed; most owners run 5–7.5k

Oil service reset

◐ pending

src: BMW Tuning E46 guide

🔧 Mechanic's Notes

Cooling system is a 60–80k wear item: expansion tank, water pump (plastic impeller), thermostat, hoses. Do it all at once, not piecemeal.
VANOS seals harden with age — lazy midrange and rough idle. Cheap seal kit, big improvement.
Oil leaks start at the valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets — fix before oil reaches the serpentine belt.
On hard-driven or lowered cars, check the rear subframe mounting points for cracks before you buy.

Field patterns from a working mechanic — diagnose your own car before buying parts.

Open Recalls

Checking NHTSA…

Other 3 Series generations

2007–2011 BMW 3 Series 3.0L I6 (N52) · N52 5W-30 LL-016.9 qt oil88.5 lb-ft lugs 2007–2010 BMW 3 Series 3.0L twin-turbo I6 (N54) · N54 6.9 qt LL-01 oilZF Lifeguard 6 ATF88.5 lb-ft lugs 2012–2015 BMW 3 Series 3.0L turbo I6 (N55) · N55 6.9 qt LL-01 oil103 lb-ft lugsZF Lifeguard 8 ATF 2012–2016 BMW 3 Series 2.0L turbo I4 (N20) · N20 5.3 qt LL-01 oil103 lb-ft lugsChain guides: pre-2015 alert 2019–2025 BMW 3 Series 2.0L turbo I4 (B46/B48) · B46/B48 0W-20 LL-17 FE+HT-12 coolant103 lb-ft lugs 2020–2025 BMW 3 Series 3.0L turbo I6 (B58) · B58 0W-20 LL-17 FE+6.9 qt oil103 lb-ft lugs

Sources shown per value. Specs can vary by build date, market and trim — for anything critical (torque, fluids), confirm against YOUR owner's manual or door sticker before wrenching. Spotted an error? — corrections jump the queue.