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

Based on 5-year routine maintenance labor at a $150/hr indie shop rate, the BMW 735iL is cheaper to maintain — about $30,248 less over 60,000 miles. Parts cost is not included.

What's the labor difference between the 4.0L V8 and the 3.5L I6 M30?

Across 32 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 735iL or BMW 735iL?

The BMW 735iL has 0 open NHTSA recalls. The BMW 735iL has 2 open recalls. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer.

2001 BMW 735iL vs 1992 BMW 735iL — Labor Times, Costs & Recalls

Specifications

Year

2001

1992

Engine

4.0L V8

3.5L I6 M30

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

—

12.5

MPG · Highway

—

MPG · Combined

—

14.5

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

★ WINNER

5-Year Maintenance

$9,231

0.15 $/mi

5-Year Maintenance

$39,479

0.66 $/mi

🏆

ADVANTAGEBMW 735iL — Saves you $30,248 over 5 years (328% 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

0.6 hrs$1,560 / 5yr

0.4 hrs$1,200 / 5yr

4HP22/24 Automatic Transmission Failure

— hrs

— hrs$2,275 / 5yr

Nikasil Cylinder Bore Wear (Pre-9/1987 blocks)

— hrs

— hrs$2,100 / 5yr

Self-Leveling Suspension (EHC) Failure

— hrs

— hrs$1,495 / 5yr

Tire rotation

0.6 hrs$720 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$600 / 5yr

Front brake pads

1.9 hrs$730 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$520 / 5yr

Rear brake pads

1.9 hrs$710 / 5yr

1.2 hrs$500 / 5yr

Front Control Arm Bushing and Thrust Arm Failure

— hrs

— hrs$1,203 / 5yr

Engine Wiring Harness Deterioration

— hrs

— hrs$1,040 / 5yr

Differential fluid

1.6 hrs$560 / 5yr

1.3 hrs$470 / 5yr

Cooling System Plastic Component Failure

— hrs

— hrs$975 / 5yr

Brake fluid flush

1.2 hrs$390 / 5yr

0.8 hrs$270 / 5yr

Fuel filter

0.8 hrs$300 / 5yr

0.7 hrs$270 / 5yr

12V battery

0.6 hrs$290 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$275 / 5yr

Wiper blades

0.3 hrs$300 / 5yr

0.2 hrs$240 / 5yr

Water pump

3.9 hrs$247 / 5yr

3.5 hrs$226 / 5yr

Intake manifold gasket

4.7 hrs$239 / 5yr

4.5 hrs$230 / 5yr

Spark plugs

1.2 hrs$260 / 5yr

0.8 hrs$200 / 5yr

Coolant flush

1.2 hrs$230 / 5yr

1.0 hrs$200 / 5yr

Oil pan gasket

5.5 hrs$219 / 5yr

4.6 hrs$185 / 5yr

Climate Control Final Stage Resistor and Blower Motor

— hrs

— hrs$358 / 5yr

Valve cover gasket

2.3 hrs$162 / 5yr

2.5 hrs$174 / 5yr

Engine air filter

0.5 hrs$210 / 5yr

0.2 hrs$120 / 5yr

Cabin air filter

0.5 hrs$300 / 5yr

— hrs

Alternator

2.3 hrs$161 / 5yr

1.5 hrs$131 / 5yr

Serpentine belt

0.9 hrs$170 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$110 / 5yr

Power steering flush

0.8 hrs$140 / 5yr

0.7 hrs$125 / 5yr

Oxygen sensor

2.3 hrs$233 / 5yr

— hrs

Starter motor

2.3 hrs$109 / 5yr

2.5 hrs$115 / 5yr

PCV valve

0.6 hrs$110 / 5yr

0.5 hrs$95 / 5yr

Thermostat

1.2 hrs$77 / 5yr

Ignition coil

1.2 hrs$104 / 5yr

— hrs

Active Recalls

★ WINNER

Open NHTSA Recalls

CLEAR

Open NHTSA Recalls

2 open

🏆

ADVANTAGEBMW 735iL — 2 fewer open recalls from the NHTSA

Fluid Capacities

BMW 735iL

ac_refrigerant · R-134a

brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 4

coolant13.20 qt · BMW N 600 69.0

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

power_steering1.10 qt · BMW 82 14 1 467 704

rear_diff1.60 qt · API GL-5 or BMW MTF LT-2

transmission_auto9.50 qt · ZF Lifeguard 5 or Dexron III

washer5.30 qt · windshield washer fluid

BMW 735iL

ac_refrigerant · R-12

brake1.00 qt · FMVSS 116 DOT 4

coolant12.70 qt · BMW N 600 69.0 (original spec)

engine_oil6.90 qt · API SG or higher

power_steering1.10 qt · Pentosin CHF 11S

rear_diff1.90 qt · API GL-5

transmission_auto7.40 qt · ZF 4HP22 specification

washer6.30 qt · windshield washer fluid concentrate or premix

The Verdict

🏆

THE WINNER

2001 BMW 735iL

4.0L V8

BMW 735iL is cheaper to maintain (saves ~$30,248 over 5 years)
BMW 735iL has 2 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.