Note: Always use a calibrated torque wrench. Replace torque-to-yield (TTY) fasteners after removal. When in doubt, consult the full service manual for your specific engine variant (M20, M30, or M21 diesel).
BMW E28 Quick Reference Guide: Most Looked Up Torque Specs
The E28 numbers people actually search for. Full system-by-system tables are below.
| Fastener |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (lb-ft) |
| Wheel Lug Nuts |
100 Nm |
74 lb-ft |
| Output Flange Nut (Rear Hub / Drivetrain) |
170 Nm |
125 lb-ft |
| Cylinder Head Bolts M30 - Stage 1 (Cold) |
40 Nm |
30 lb-ft |
| Cylinder Head Bolts M20 - Stage 1 |
35 Nm |
26 lb-ft |
| Crankshaft Pulley Bolt |
280 Nm |
206 lb-ft |
| Front Caliper Mounting Bolts |
110 Nm |
81 lb-ft |
| Engine Oil Drain Plug |
25 Nm |
18 lb-ft |
E28 Head Bolt Sequence by Engine: the chain-driven M30 six (528i, 533i, 535i, 535is, M535i) runs Stage 1 = 40 Nm (30 lb-ft) cold, then +90 deg, then a hot pass of +50 deg after warm-up - skip the hot re-torque and you risk the head gasket. The belt-driven M20 six (520i, 525e) runs Stage 1 = 35 Nm (26 lb-ft), then +90 deg. Head bolts and connecting-rod bolts are torque-to-yield, so replace them once they come out. Match the table to your actual engine before you turn a wrench. Full sequences are in the Cylinder Head tables below.
BMW E28 Wheel Lug Nut & General Maintenance Torque
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Wheel Lug Nuts |
100 Nm |
74 lb-ft |
| Engine Oil Drain Plug |
25 Nm |
18 lb-ft |
| Transmission Drain Plug |
30 Nm |
22 lb-ft |
| Transmission Fill Plug |
30 Nm |
22 lb-ft |
| Differential Drain/Fill Plug |
50 Nm |
37 lb-ft |
| Spark Plugs |
25 Nm |
18 lb-ft |
Engine - Cylinder Head (M30 6-Cylinder)
| Component |
Torque |
Notes |
| Cylinder Head Bolts - Stage 1 |
40 Nm |
30 lb-ft - cold engine |
| Cylinder Head Bolts - Stage 2 |
+90 deg |
Angle tighten |
| Cylinder Head Bolts - Stage 3 (Hot) |
+50 deg |
After warm-up, re-torque |
| Valve Cover Nuts |
10 Nm |
89 in-lb |
| Rocker Arm Shaft Bolts |
22 Nm |
16 lb-ft |
| Camshaft Sprocket Bolt |
22 Nm |
16 lb-ft |
Engine - Cylinder Head (M20 6-Cylinder)
| Component |
Torque |
Notes |
| Cylinder Head Bolts - Stage 1 |
35 Nm |
26 lb-ft |
| Cylinder Head Bolts - Stage 2 |
+90 deg |
Angle tighten |
| Valve Cover Bolts |
10 Nm |
89 in-lb |
| Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts |
12 Nm |
89 in-lb |
| Timing Belt Tensioner |
18 Nm |
13 lb-ft |
Engine - Timing
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Timing Chain Cover Bolts (M30) |
10 Nm |
89 in-lb |
| Timing Belt Cover Bolts (M20) |
10 Nm |
89 in-lb |
| Crankshaft Pulley Bolt |
280 Nm |
206 lb-ft |
| Oil Pump Sprocket Bolt (M30) |
25 Nm |
18 lb-ft |
Engine - Bottom End
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Main Bearing Cap Bolts |
60 Nm |
44 lb-ft |
| Connecting Rod Cap Bolts - M30 (528i, 533i, 535i, 535is, M535i) |
55 Nm |
40 lb-ft - single step, no angle. Fit new bolts, cleaned and oiled. |
| Connecting Rod Cap Bolts - M10 (518i) |
55 Nm |
40 lb-ft - single step, no angle. Fit new bolts, cleaned and oiled. |
| Connecting Rod Cap Bolts - M20 (520i, 525e, 528e) |
20 Nm + 70 deg |
15 lb-ft + 70 deg. Fit new bolts, cleaned and oiled. |
| Connecting Rod Cap Bolts - M21 Turbodiesel (524td) |
20 Nm + 70 deg |
15 lb-ft + 70 deg. Fit new bolts, cleaned and oiled. |
| Connecting Rod Cap Bolts - S38 B35 (M5, North America) |
15 Nm, then 30 Nm, then 60 deg |
11 lb-ft, then 22 lb-ft, then 60 deg. Fit new bolts. |
| Connecting Rod Cap Bolts - M88/3 (M5, Europe) |
30 Nm + 50 deg |
22 lb-ft + 50 deg. Fit new bolts. |
| Flywheel Bolts |
105 Nm |
77 lb-ft |
| Oil Pan Bolts (M6) |
10 Nm |
89 in-lb |
| Oil Pan Bolts (M8) |
18 Nm |
13 lb-ft |
Engine - Intake & Exhaust
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Intake Manifold Nuts |
22 Nm |
16 lb-ft |
| Exhaust Manifold Nuts |
25 Nm |
18 lb-ft |
| Exhaust Flange Nuts |
35 Nm |
26 lb-ft |
| Oxygen Sensor |
50 Nm |
37 lb-ft |
Cooling System
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Coolant Drain Plug |
25 Nm |
18 lb-ft |
| Water Pump Bolts |
10 Nm |
89 in-lb |
| Thermostat Housing Bolts |
10 Nm |
89 in-lb |
| Fan Clutch Nut (LH Thread) |
40 Nm |
30 lb-ft |
Front Suspension
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Control Arm to Subframe (Front) |
75 Nm |
55 lb-ft |
| Control Arm to Subframe (Rear) |
75 Nm |
55 lb-ft |
| Ball Joint to Steering Knuckle |
65 Nm |
48 lb-ft |
| Strut to Body (Upper) |
22 Nm |
16 lb-ft |
| Strut to Steering Knuckle |
90 Nm |
66 lb-ft |
| Stabilizer Bar Link Nuts |
42 Nm |
31 lb-ft |
| Stabilizer Bar Clamp Bolts |
22 Nm |
16 lb-ft |
Rear Suspension
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Semi-Trailing Arm to Body |
90 Nm |
66 lb-ft |
| Shock Absorber Lower Bolt |
65 Nm |
48 lb-ft |
| Shock Absorber Upper Nut |
14 Nm |
10 lb-ft |
| Rear Subframe Bolts |
75 Nm |
55 lb-ft |
Steering
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Tie Rod End to Steering Knuckle |
45 Nm |
33 lb-ft |
| Tie Rod End Lock Nut |
35 Nm |
26 lb-ft |
| Steering Box Mounting Bolts |
50 Nm |
37 lb-ft |
| Steering Column Clamp Bolt |
22 Nm |
16 lb-ft |
| Steering Wheel Nut |
60 Nm |
44 lb-ft |
Brakes
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Front Caliper Mounting Bolts |
110 Nm |
81 lb-ft |
| Rear Caliper Mounting Bolts |
65 Nm |
48 lb-ft |
| Brake Rotor to Hub |
10 Nm |
89 in-lb |
| Brake Hose Banjo Bolt |
18 Nm |
13 lb-ft |
| Bleed Nipple |
8 Nm |
71 in-lb |
Drivetrain
| Component |
Torque (Nm) |
Torque (Imperial) |
| Driveshaft Flange Bolts |
65 Nm |
48 lb-ft |
| Differential Drain/Fill Plug |
50 Nm |
37 lb-ft |
| Output Flange Nut |
170 Nm |
125 lb-ft |
General Bolt Tightening Torques by Size
When no specific torque is given, use these maximum values based on bolt class 8.8:
| Bolt Size |
Class 8.8 Max |
| M6 |
10 Nm |
| M7 |
15 Nm |
| M8 |
25 Nm |
| M10 |
50 Nm |
| M12 |
90 Nm |
| M14 |
135 Nm |
Related Torque & Repair Guides
Important Notes
Engine Variants
-
M10 - inline-4 (518i)
-
M20 - inline-6, belt-driven camshaft (520i, 525e, 528e)
-
M30 - inline-6, chain-driven camshaft (528i, 533i, 535i, 535is, M535i)
-
M21 - inline-6 turbodiesel (524td)
-
S38 / M88 - 24-valve motorsport inline-6 (M5; S38 B35 in North America, M88/3 in Europe)
Single-Use Fasteners
The following fasteners must be replaced after removal:
- Cylinder head bolts - torque-to-yield.
- Connecting rod bolts - on every engine. BMW specifies new rod bolts, washed and lubricated with oil, on every reassembly. Note that on the M30 and M10 these are not torque-to-yield: there is no angle stage, just a single 55 Nm figure. The angle-tightened M20, M21, S38 and M88/3 rod bolts are torque-to-yield.
M30 Cylinder Head Note
The M30 uses a hot re-torque procedure. After initial cold torque and angle-tightening, warm the engine to operating temperature and apply an additional +50 deg while hot.
