Which is cheaper to maintain, the BMW 735i or the BMW 735i?

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the BMW 735i is cheaper to maintain — about $26,583 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 3.4L I6 and the 3.0L V8?

Across 31 common maintenance jobs, hours vary by drivetrain and engine layout. See the side-by-side table on this page for each job's labor hours and estimated cost.

Are there any active recalls on the BMW 735i or BMW 735i?

The BMW 735i has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The BMW 735i has 0 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

1989 BMW 735i vs 2001 BMW 735i — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

1989

2001

Engine

3.4L I6

3.0L V8

Drivetrain

RWD

Transmission

automatic

—

Fuel

gas

Powertrain

Engine output, acceleration, top speed, handling, braking — and Nürburgring if either car ran one.

Horsepower

—hp

Torque

—lb-ft

0–60 mph

—

Quarter Mile

—

Top Speed

—

Skidpad

—

60–0 Braking

—

70–0 Braking

—

MPG · City

—

MPG · Highway

19.7

—

MPG · Combined

15.7

—

Performance specs synthesized from manufacturer figures and instrumented magazine tests (Car and Driver, Motor Trend, Road & Track). MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Numbers flagged as "low confidence" by AI generation are conservative estimates from related platforms.

Cost of Ownership

5-Year Maintenance

$35,710

0.60 $/mi

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$9,127

0.15 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEBMW 735i — Saves you $26,583 over 5 years (74% less in routine maintenance labor)

Routine maintenance only. Cost = labor hours × $150/hr × estimated 5-yr frequency. Parts cost not included.

Maintenance Breakdown

Hours per common service. Lower is faster (and cheaper) at the shop.

Oil & filter change

0.5 hrs$1,380 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$1,560 / 5yr

ZF 4HP22 Automatic Transmission Failure

— hrs$2,373 / 5yr

— hrs

Front Suspension Bushings and Ball Joints

— hrs$1,495 / 5yr

— hrs

Head Gasket Failure (M30B35 Engine)

— hrs$1,435 / 5yr

— hrs

Front brake pads

1.6 hrs$640 / 5yr

1.9 hrs$730 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.6 hrs$620 / 5yr

1.9 hrs$710 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$720 / 5yr

Cooling System Deterioration

— hrs$1,040 / 5yr

— hrs

Differential fluid

1.3 hrs$470 / 5yr

1.6 hrs$560 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

1.0 hrs$330 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$390 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr

Fuel System Issues (Pump, Accumulator, Filter)

— hrs$585 / 5yr

— hrs

Fuel filter

0.7 hrs$270 / 5yr

0.8 hrs$300 / 5yr

12V battery

0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$290 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

0.4 hrs$255 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$300 / 5yr

Spark plugs

1.0 hrs$230 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$260 / 5yr

Climate Control and HVAC Failures

— hrs$490 / 5yr

— hrs

Water pump

3.3 hrs$215 / 5yr

3.9 hrs$247 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

3.9 hrs$203 / 5yr

4.7 hrs$239 / 5yr

Coolant flush

1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$230 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

4.6 hrs$185 / 5yr

5.5 hrs$219 / 5yr

Engine Wiring Harness Insulation Breakdown

— hrs$403 / 5yr

— hrs

Engine air filter

0.4 hrs$180 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$210 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.8 hrs$155 / 5yr

0.9 hrs$170 / 5yr

Alternator

2.0 hrs$150 / 5yr

2.3 hrs$161 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

2.0 hrs$144 / 5yr

2.3 hrs$162 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.7 hrs$125 / 5yr

0.8 hrs$140 / 5yr

Oxygen sensor

— hrs

2.3 hrs$233 / 5yr

Starter motor

2.0 hrs$100 / 5yr

2.3 hrs$109 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.0 hrs$67 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$77 / 5yr

Active Recalls

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

✓ Both vehicles are completely clear of open safety recalls.

Fluid Capacities

BMW 735i

ac_refrigerant · R-12

brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 4

coolant12.70 qt · BMW Coolant or equivalent phosphate-free

engine_oil5.80 qt · API SG/SH

power_steering1.10 qt · BMW CHF 11S

rear_diff1.50 qt · API GL-5

transmission_auto12.70 qt · GM Dexron II-D

washer6.30 qt · Windshield washer fluid concentrate or premix

BMW 735i

ac_refrigerant · R-134a

brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 4

coolant14.80 qt · BMW N 600 69.0 or equivalent

engine_oil7.90 qt · API SJ/SL or BMW Longlife-01

power_steering1.10 qt · CHF 11S

rear_diff1.60 qt · API GL-5

transmission_auto8.50 qt · ZF Lifeguard 5 or equivalent

washer6.30 qt · windshield washer fluid

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

2001 BMW 735i

3.0L V8

BMW 735i is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$26,583 over 5 years)

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.