COMPARISON · THE SHOWDOWN
OPEN LABOR PROJECT
VEHICLE A
▼
BMW
325i
2.5L I6
VS
VEHICLE B
▼
BMW
325i
3.0L I6 N52
Real labor data. Real maintenance costs. Real recall counts. No subscription, no paywall — free for every wrench-turner.
01
Specifications
Year
1989
2011
Engine
2.5L I6
3.0L I6 N52
Drivetrain
RWD
RWD
Transmission
manual
automatic
Fuel
gas
gas
04
Cost of Ownership
5-Year Maintenance
$46,391
0.77 $/mi
★ WINNER
5-Year Maintenance
$46,362
0.77 $/mi
🏆
ADVANTAGEBMW 325i — Saves you $29 over 5 years (0% less in routine maintenance labor)
Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.
05
Maintenance Breakdown
Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.
Oil & filter change
10.4 hrs$19,200 / 5yr
10.4 hrs$19,200 / 5yr
Tire rotation
2.6 hrs$3,120 / 5yr
2.6 hrs$3,120 / 5yr
Wiper blades
3.9 hrs$2,460 / 5yr
3.9 hrs$2,460 / 5yr
Cabin air filter
5.2 hrs$2,415 / 5yr
5.2 hrs$2,415 / 5yr
Serpentine belt
10.4 hrs$1,595 / 5yr
10.4 hrs$1,595 / 5yr
PCV valve
10.4 hrs$1,580 / 5yr
10.4 hrs$1,580 / 5yr
Fuel filter
3.3 hrs$1,050 / 5yr
3.3 hrs$1,050 / 5yr
M20 Cylinder Head & Valve Seal Failure
— hrs$1,950 / 5yr
— hrs
Front brake pads
2.6 hrs$940 / 5yr
2.6 hrs$940 / 5yr
Rear brake pads
2.6 hrs$920 / 5yr
2.6 hrs$920 / 5yr
Excessive Oil Consumption Leading to Engine Failure
— hrs
— hrs$1,723 / 5yr
Differential fluid
2.6 hrs$860 / 5yr
2.6 hrs$860 / 5yr
Engine air filter
2.6 hrs$840 / 5yr
2.6 hrs$840 / 5yr
Brake fluid flush
2.6 hrs$810 / 5yr
2.6 hrs$810 / 5yr
Valve cover gasket
10.4 hrs$648 / 5yr
10.4 hrs$648 / 5yr
Coolant flush
3.9 hrs$635 / 5yr
3.9 hrs$635 / 5yr
12V battery
2.6 hrs$590 / 5yr
2.6 hrs$590 / 5yr
Rear Main Seal & Oil Pan Gasket Leaks
— hrs$1,040 / 5yr
— hrs
Water Pump and Thermostat Housing Failure
— hrs
— hrs$1,040 / 5yr
Power steering flush
3.3 hrs$515 / 5yr
3.3 hrs$515 / 5yr
Intake manifold gasket
10.4 hrs$495 / 5yr
10.4 hrs$495 / 5yr
Oil pan gasket
10.4 hrs$403 / 5yr
10.4 hrs$403 / 5yr
Spark plugs
2.0 hrs$380 / 5yr
2.0 hrs$380 / 5yr
Transmission Oil Cooler Line Failure
— hrs
— hrs$748 / 5yr
Cooling System Cascading Failures
— hrs$715 / 5yr
— hrs
Valve Cover and Oil Filter Housing Gasket Leaks
— hrs
— hrs$715 / 5yr
Oxygen sensor
3.9 hrs$353 / 5yr
3.9 hrs$353 / 5yr
Water pump
3.9 hrs$247 / 5yr
3.9 hrs$247 / 5yr
Thermostat
3.9 hrs$219 / 5yr
3.9 hrs$219 / 5yr
Transmission & Differential Mounts Collapse
— hrs$358 / 5yr
— hrs
Alternator
2.6 hrs$173 / 5yr
2.6 hrs$173 / 5yr
Fuel System Age-Related Issues
— hrs$315 / 5yr
— hrs
Electrical Gremlins & Wiring Harness Degradation
— hrs$315 / 5yr
— hrs
Ignition coil
2.0 hrs$152 / 5yr
2.0 hrs$152 / 5yr
Timing Belt & Tensioner Wear
— hrs$280 / 5yr
— hrs
Transmission Mounts Collapsing
— hrs
— hrs$280 / 5yr
VANOS Solenoid and Timing System Issues
— hrs
— hrs$280 / 5yr
Starter motor
2.6 hrs$118 / 5yr
2.6 hrs$118 / 5yr
Fuel System (Fuel Filter and High-Pressure Pump)
— hrs
— hrs$158 / 5yr
06
Active Recalls
★ WINNER
Open NHTSA Recalls
0
CLEAR
Open NHTSA Recalls
3
3 open
🏆
ADVANTAGEBMW 325i — 3 fewer open recalls from the NHTSA
07
Fluid Capacities
BMW 325i
brake · BMW DOT 4 LV / ISO 4925 Class 6
coolant10.00 qt · BMW 83 19 2 211 191
engine_oil5.00 qt · BMW LL-01
power_steering1.00 qt · BMW P/S Fluid
rear_diff2.00 qt · API GL-5
transmission_auto10.00 qt · ZF LifeguardFluid 6
washer3.50 qt · All-season or winter-rated
BMW 325i
brake · DOT 4 LV Brake Fluid
coolant10.00 qt · BMW Coolant (Blue)
engine_oil5.50 qt · BMW TwinPower Turbo 5W-30
power_steering1.00 qt · Pentosin CHF 11S
rear_diff2.00 qt · BMW Differential Fluid SAF-XO
transmission_auto10.00 qt · ZF Lifeguard 6
washer3.50 qt · Windshield Washer Fluid
08
The Verdict
🏆
THE WINNER
1989 BMW 325i
2.5L I6
- BMW 325i has 3 fewer open NHTSA recalls
Based on objective maintenance and recall data. Driving feel, looks, brand loyalty, and ownership experience are separate (and very valid) considerations.
Open the full dashboard for either truck
Labor times, torque specs, fluid capacities, DTC codes, repair procedures, recalls, common platform problems.