What oil does a 2007–2011 BMW 3 Series (N52) take?

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

DRIVEDEX / BMW / 3 Series

2007–2011

BMW 3 Series

3.0L I6 (N52) N52 Sedan/Coupe/Wagon (E90/E92/E91)

The sensible E9x — no turbos, no HPFP drama, just gaskets and a water pump between you and 250k.

Engine Oil

Viscosity‼

✓ verified

0W-30 LL-01 equally fine

src: AMSOIL lookup + N52 guides

Capacity (with filter)

6.5 L✓ verified

src: AMSOIL lookup + BimmerFest

Oil filter

✓ verified

Shared with most 2006+ N52/N54/N55 sixes (Mann HU816x)

src: Turner + ECS listings

Drain plug torque‼

— in verification queue

Being confirmed against the TIS

Fluids

Coolant‼

✓ verified

HT-12 green back-serves G48 cars

src: FCP Euro coolant guide

ATF (automatic)‼

— in verification queue

ZF and GM 6-speeds both fitted this era — match fluid to the trans tag

Brake fluid‼

✓ verified

Flush every 2 years

src: BimmerWorld brake fluid guide

Fuel

◐ pending

Manual minimum AKI 89

src: BMW owner's manual (quoted)

Filters & Ignition

Engine air filter

◐ pending

Cross-listed 13717556961 also fits — verify by VIN

src: Turner Motorsport listing

Cabin filter

— in verification queue

Being confirmed

Spark plugs

◐ pending

Pre-gapped; NGK cross fits too

src: Autohaus AZ + ECS listings

Electrical

Battery

◐ pending

src: FCP Euro fitment + BimmerTech

Key fob battery

— in verification queue

Being confirmed — comfort-access fobs recharge in the slot

Wheels & Wipers

Wheel bolt torque‼

120 Nm✓ verified

M12 bolts

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

✓ verified

Many owners halve it — cheap insurance on an aging six

src: BMW dealer service pages

Oil service reset

◐ pending

src: E46/E90/F30 reset guide

🔧 Mechanic's Notes

Valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets are the classic N52 leaks — the OFHG drips onto the serpentine belt, so don't sit on it.
Electric water pump and thermostat are a matched pair around 80–100k; a dead pump strands you with no warning.
Cold-start lifter tick is common and mostly harmless — annoying, not fatal.
Otherwise the safe E9x pick: port injection, no turbo, no high-pressure fuel pump saga.

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

Open Recalls

Checking NHTSA…

Other 3 Series generations

2001–2005 BMW 3 Series 2.5L/3.0L I6 (M54) · M54 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.