
 
Contents
 
Owner service procedures
Technical data
Index
 
Replacement procedures:
 
Onboard tool kit124
Windshield wiper blades124
Lamps and bulbs125
Changing a wheel129
Battery133
Fuses133
 
Assistance, giving and 
receiving:
 
Jump-starting134
Towing the vehicle135Engine data140
Dimensions141
Weights142
Capacities143Everything from A to Z146 

 
10n
 
For your own safety
 
Use unleaded gasoline only. Fuels  
containing up to and including 
10 % ethanol or other oxygenates with 
up to 2.8 % oxygen by weight (i.e. 
15 % MTBE or 3 % methanol plus an 
equivalent amount of co-solvent) will 
not void the applicable warranties 
respecting defects in materials or work-
manship. Field experience has indi-
cated significant differences in fuel 
quality (volatility, composition, addi-
tives, for example) among gasolines 
offered for sale in the United States and 
Canada. The use of poor-quality fuels 
may result in driveability, starting and 
stalling problems especially under 
certain environmental conditions, such 
as high ambient temperature and high 
altitude.
Should you encounter driveability prob-
lems which you suspect could be 
related to the fuel you are using, we 
recommend that you respond by 
switching to a recognized high-quality 
brand.
Failure to comply with these recom-
mendations may result in unscheduled 
maintenance.
Obey all applicable safety rules when 
you are handling gasoline.
 
<
 
Important safety information!
For your own safety, use genuine parts  
and accessories approved by BMW. 
When you purchase accessories tested  
and approved by BMW and Original 
BMW Parts, you simultaneously acquire 
the assurance that they have been 
thoroughly tested by BMW to ensure 
optimum performance when installed 
on your vehicle. 
BMW warrants these parts to be free  
from defects in material and workman-
ship. 
BMW will not accept any liability for  
damage resulting from installation of 
parts and accessories not approved by 
BMW. 
BMW cannot test every product made  
by other manufacturers to ascertain 
whether it can be used on a BMW 
safely and without risk to either the 
vehicle, its operation, or its occupants. 
Original BMW Parts, BMW Accessories  
and other products approved by BMW, 
together with professional advice on 
using these items, are available from all 
BMW centers. 
Installation and operation of non-BMW  
approved accessories such as alarms, 
 
radios, amplifiers, radar detectors,  
wheels, suspension components, brake 
dust shields, telephones (including 
operation of any portable cellular phone 
from within the vehicle without using an 
externally mounted antenna) or trans-
ceiver equipment (such as CB, walkie-
talkie, ham radio or similar) may cause 
extensive damage to the vehicle, 
compromise its safety, interfere with 
the vehicle's electrical system or affect 
the validity of the BMW Limited 
Warranty. Contact your BMW center for 
additional information.
Do not use key or remote control to 
lock doors or cargo area with anyone 
inside the vehicle. Refer to pages  29 
and  32 for more details.
 
<
 
Maintenance, replacement, or 
repair of the emission control 
devices and systems may be performed 
by any automotive repair establishment 
or individual using any certified auto-
motive part.
 
<
 
Symbol on vehicle parts 
 
Indicates that you should consult 
the relevant section of this 
Owner's Manual for information on a 
particular part or assembly. 

41n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Manual seat adjustmentTo adjust the seat1 Backward/forward adjustment
Pull the lever and slide the seat to the 
desired position.
After you release the lever, move the 
seat forward or backward slightly so 
that it engages fully
2 Cushion height
Pull the lever and apply weight to or 
remove weight from the seat as 
required
3 Backrest angle
Pull the lever and apply weight to or 
remove weight from the backrest as 
required
BMW sport seat
* adjustment
This seat provides additional adjust-
ment options for tilt angle and thigh 
support:
1 To raise:
Pull the lever repeatedly, continuing 
until the seat is at the desired tilt 
angle
2 To lower:
Push the lever repeatedly, continuing 
until the seat is at the desired tilt 
angle
3 Thigh support:
Pull the lever and adjust the position 
of the thigh support for your personal 
comfort. 

100n
Cargo loading Roof-mounted luggage rack
*
Securing cargo >Small and light luggage and cargo 
can be secured with the aid of flex-
ible straps or a cargo area net
*, refer 
to page 35
>For large, heavy pieces, see your 
BMW center for load-securing 
devices
*. Anchorages for securing 
cargo straps have been provided on 
the inner corners of the cargo area 
(arrow).
Read and comply with the instructions 
enclosed with the load-securing 
devices.
Always position and secure the 
load correctly. If you do not, it can 
endanger the passengers during 
braking or evasive maneuvers.
Do not exceed the approved gross 
vehicle weight or the maximum axle 
loads, refer to page 142, otherwise the 
vehicle's operating safety is no longer 
assured and you are in violation of the 
law.
Do not stow heavy or hard objects in 
the passenger compartment without 
securing them. Otherwise they would 
be thrown around during braking and 
evasive maneuvers and endanger the 
passengers.<
A special roof-rack system is available 
as an optional extra for your BMW. 
Please observe the precautions 
included with the installation instruc-
tions.AnchoragesAccess to the anchorages:
To fold up the covers (arrow), please 
use the tool provided with the roof-rack 
system.Loading and driving notesRoof-mounted luggage racks raise the 
center of gravity of the vehicle when 
they are loaded. For this reason, they 
exercise a major effect on the vehicle's 
handling and steering response. 

101n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Roof-mounted luggage rack
*
You should therefore always remember 
not to exceed the approved roof load 
capacity, the approved gross vehicle 
weight or the axle weights when 
loading the rack. These weights are 
listed under Technical Data  on 
page 142.
Make sure that the load is not too bulky, 
and attempt to distribute it evenly. 
Always load the heaviest pieces first (on 
the bottom). Be sure that adequate 
clearance is maintained for raising the 
sliding/tilt sunroof, and that objects do 
not project into the opening path of the 
tailgate.
Secure the roof luggage correctly and 
securely to prevent it from shifting or 
being lost during driving (danger to 
following traffic).
Drive smoothly and avoid sudden 
acceleration and braking. Do not corner 
at high speeds. 
The roof-mounted luggage rack and the 
roof load increase the aerodynamic 
resistance: increased fuel consumption 
and additional stress on the vehicle's 
body are the result. 

142n
Weights 
BMW 325i BMW 325xi
Curb weight (with one person, ready for operation, full tank of fuel, options not included)
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs (kg)
lbs (kg)3,362 (1,525)
3,450 (1,565)3,594 (1,630)
3,627 (1,645)
Approved gross vehicle weight
with manual transmission
with automatic transmissionlbs (kg)
lbs (kg)4,509 (2,045)
4,597 (2,085)4,696 (2,130)
4,729 (2,145)
Approved front axle load lbs (kg) 1,984 (900) 2,139 (970)
Approved rear axle load lbs (kg) 2,668 (1,210) 2,657 (1,205)
Approved roof load capacity lbs (kg) 165 (75) 165 (75)
Cargo area capacity  cu.ft (l) 15.4 - 57.1 (435 - 1,617) 15.4 - 57.1 (435 - 1,617)
Approved axle loads and approved gross vehicle weight may not be exceeded. 

Everything from A to ZA 
ABS (Antilock Brake 
System)19, 105 
Accessories10 
Activated-charcoal filter91 
Adaptive Transmission 
Control (ATC)59 
ADB (Automatic Differential 
Brake)73 
Adding 
brake fluid118 
coolant117 
engine oil115 
washer fluid114 
Adjusting 
backrest41 
manual seat41 
mirrors47 
power seat42 
steering wheel46 
thigh support41 
Air conditioning85 
Air distribution86, 89 
Air outlets, 
ventilation85, 88 
Air supply86, 89 Airbags18, 48 
sitting correctly40 
Alarm system35 
Antifreeze and anti-
corrosion agents117 
disposal117 
Antilock Brake System 
(ABS)19, 105 
Anti-theft system35 
Approved gross vehicle 
weight142 
Aquaplaning105, 107 
Armrest92 
ASC+T (Automatic Stability 
Control plus Traction)71 
Ashtray 
front94 
rear95 
ATC (Adaptive Transmission 
Control)59 
Attach vehicle vacuum 
cleaner94 
AUC (Automatic recircu-
lated-air control)90 Automatic climate 
control88, 89 
Automatic cruise control63 
Automatic Differential Brake 
(ADB)73 
Automatic headlight 
control82 
Automatic recirculated-air 
control (AUC)90 
Automatic Stability Control 
plus Traction (ASC+T)71 
Automatic transmission58 
Automatic transmission with 
Steptronic18, 58 
Average fuel 
consumption69 
Average speed69 
Axle loads142 
B 
Backrest41 
Backup lamps57 
bulb replacement127 
Battery133 
care133 
charging133 
disposal133 Battery charge current 
indicator17 
Beverage holder93 
Blower86, 89 
BMW High Performance 
Synthetic Oil116 
BMW Maintenance 
System119 
BMW sports seat 
manual adjustment41 
power adjustment42 
Bore140 
Bottle holder, refer to 
beverage holder93 
Brake fluid118 
disposal118 
Brake lamps 
bulb replacement127 
Brake pads19 
Brake system 
brake fluid level106 
brake pads106 
brake rotors, 
corrosion106 
defect in hydraulic 
circuits106 
disc brakes106 
   
A-Z 

Everything from A to Z
147n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Break-in procedures104 
Bulbs and lamps 
replacement125 C 
California Proposition 
65 Warning120 
Can holder, refer to 
beverage holder93 
Capacities143 
Car care, refer to the "Caring 
for your vehicle" manual 
Car phone94 
Car wash systems, refer to 
the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Care of upholstery materials, 
refer to the "Caring for your 
vehicle" manual 
Cargo area35, 97 
capacity142 
Cargo area cover97 
Cargo area lighting33 
Cargo loading99 CBC (Cornering Brake 
Control)18, 73 
Cellular phone94 
refer also to the separate 
"Owner's Manual"94 
Center (high-mount) brake 
lamp128 
Center armrest92 
Central locking system28 
control button32 
Changing a wheel129 
Check Control67 
Checking engine oil 
level115 
Checking tire pressures24 
Child-restraint systems51 
Cigarette lighter94 
Cigarette lighter socket94 
Clean rear window62 
Clean the headlamps62 
Cleaning windshield62 
Clock67 
refer also to the "Radio 
Owner's Manual" Clothes hooks105 
Clutch104 
Cockpit14 
Coin box93 
Compartments92 
Compression ratio140 
Computer68 
refer also to the "Owner's 
Manual Onboard 
Computer" 
Configuring individual 
settings via Vehicle and 
Key Memory54 
Convenience operation via 
the door lock 
power windows31 
sliding/tilt sunroof31 
Coolant117, 143 
Coolant temperature 
gauge66 
Cooling system including 
heating circuit, 
capacity143 
Copyright4 
Cornering Brake Control 
(CBC)18, 73 Correct sitting posture40 
Cruise control63 
Cruising range69 
Curb weight142 
D 
Data 
dimensions141 
technical140 
weights142 
Daytime driving lamps82 
DBC (Dynamic Brake 
Control)74 
Deep water105 
Defrost windows87, 89 
Defroster, rear 
window86, 90 
Digital clock67 
Dimming rearview mirror48 
Dipstick, engine oil115 
Displacement140 
Display lighting83 
Displays15 
Disposal 
antifreeze and anti-
corrosion agents117 
battery133 
brake fluid118 
engine oil116