What oil does a 2007–2010 BMW 3 Series (N54) take?

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

DRIVEDEX / BMW / 3 Series

2007–2010

BMW 3 Series

3.0L twin-turbo I6 (N54) N54 Sedan/Coupe/Convertible (E90/E92/E93)

Tuner royalty with a maintenance tax — budget like the turbos owe you money.

Engine Oil

Viscosity‼

✓ verified

LL-01 approval is the requirement, not the brand

src: N54 oil guides (multiple)

Capacity (with filter)

6.5 L✓ verified

src: Engine Oil Journal + e90post

Oil filter

✓ verified

Same cartridge as N52/N55 sixes

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)‼

✓ verified

Shell M-1375.4 spec, GA6HP19Z — 'lifetime' means ~50–60k service in the real world

src: ZF/Turner + ECS listings

Brake fluid‼

✓ verified

Flush every 2 years

src: BimmerWorld brake fluid guide

Fuel

◐ pending

Manual minimum AKI 89 — turbo pulls timing on it

src: BMW owner's manual (quoted)

Filters & Ignition

Engine air filter

— in verification queue

Being confirmed

Cabin filter

— in verification queue

Being confirmed

Spark plugs

✓ verified

OE gap ~0.028 in (0.7 mm); tuned cars often close to ~0.022 in

src: Turner + BimmerWorld listings

Electrical

Battery

◐ pending

src: FCP Euro fitment + BimmerTech

Key fob battery

— in verification queue

Being confirmed

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

5–7.5k is the smart play on a turbo DI engine

src: BMW dealer service pages

Oil service reset

◐ pending

src: E46/E90/F30 reset guide

🔧 Mechanic's Notes

HPFP failure is the N54's signature move — long cranks and limp mode. Many cars got pumps under the extended campaign; verify which pump is in yours.
Wastegate rattle on cold start means worn actuator bushings, and it slowly creeps into boost control.
Piezo injectors are pricey and index-sensitive — diagnose per-cylinder and replace misfiring ones in matched pairs.
Direct injection means carbon on the intake valves; a walnut blast every 60–80k wakes the midrange back up.

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 2007–2011 BMW 3 Series 3.0L I6 (N52) · N52 5W-30 LL-016.9 qt oil88.5 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.