The BMW 545i spans 2004–2005 with 0 recorded NHTSA recalls. It delivers up to 19 mpg combined and NHTSA-rated safety.
We're still compiling NHTSA safety, recall and owner-complaint data for the BMW 545i — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
Overview
The BMW 545i is one of the most popular vehicles in its class, produced from 2004 to 2005 across multiple generations.
How to read a BMW 545i VIN — every digit explained
Every BMW 545i carries a unique 17-character VIN stamped at the factory. Each position is a code — together they spell out where, when and how your car was built. Here's exactly what every digit means.
- WMI (1–3) — country & manufacturer. Tells you it's a BMW and the country it was built in (real BMW codes below).
- VDS (4–8) — model, body style, engine, trim & restraints. The 8th digit is the engine code.
- Check digit (9) — a math check that proves the VIN is genuine.
- Model year (10) — the year it was built (e.g. R = 2024, S = 2025).
- Plant (11) — which factory assembled this 545i.
- Serial (12–17) — the unique sequential production number.
- Germany3MF · 3MW · 5UM · WAP · WB1 · WB3
- USA4US · 5UX · 5YM
Digits 4–17 — the engine code (8th), model-year letter (10th) and plant — follow the universal SAE standard, identical on every car. For the full year-code table (2001–2026), country codes and where the VIN is stamped on your 545i, see the complete guide to reading a VIN.
How many recalls does the BMW 545i have?
The BMW 545i has 0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2004–2005. Pick a year below to see its recalls — then verify open recalls against your specific VIN.
Best and worst years for the BMW 545i
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the BMW 545i — best- and worst-year trends will appear here once that data is in.
What are the most common BMW 545i problems?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint data for the BMW 545i — the most-reported problems will appear here once that data is in.
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, all model years. Bar = share of total complaints. Full reports searchable on NHTSA.gov.
BMW 545i specifications & dimensions
The 2004–2005 BMW 545i measures 191″ long on a 114″ wheelbase, with a curb weight near 3,803 lb. Full dimensions below — engine, horsepower and trim decode from your VIN. For the original factory build — MSRP, trim and standard equipment — rebuild the BMW 545i window sticker.
| Years | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Curb weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004–2005 | 191″ | 73″ | 58″ | 114″ | 3,803 lb |
Source: NHTSA vPIC / Transport Canada vehicle specifications. Metric values converted to imperial; generation ranges approximate.
BMW 545i cargo space, seating & interior room
How much the 545i holds — passengers and cargo. EPA measures its interior at 99 cu ft of passenger volume and 14 cu ft of cargo. Seating capacity and legroom vary by trim.
Exact seating capacity, third-row availability, legroom and headroom decode from your VIN or vary by trim — the original factory equipment & options list shows what each trim included.
Passenger & cargo volume from EPA fueleconomy.gov (largest configuration). Seats, legroom and headroom from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
BMW 545i tire size, oil type & owner specs
The fitment owners look up most — tires, wheels, oil and batteries. Exact wheel and tire sizes decode from your VIN or the driver's door-jamb placard; the universal items are listed below.
Exact tire, wheel, oil grade, capacity and battery group are added per trim and model year — decode your VIN above for the factory fitment. Universal items shown as-is.
What MPG does the BMW 545i get?
The BMW 545i returns up to 19 combined MPG (EPA), which works out to roughly $4,050/yr in fuel. Pick an engine to see MPG, annual running cost and CO₂ by year:
The 2005 BMW 545i (4.4L 8-cyl) gets 19 mpg combined and costs about $4,050/yr to fuel, emitting 468 g/mi CO₂ (smog 1/10) — about $9,250 more than the average new vehicle over 5 years.
| Year | City | Hwy | Comb | Fuel/yr | CO₂ g/mi | Smog | Engine |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 545i | 16 | 24 | $4,050 | 468 | 1/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl | |
| 2004 545i | 16 | 24 | $4,050 | 468 | 1/10 | 4.4L 8-cyl |
Source: EPA fuel-economy database (ForCar-hosted, 1986–2027) — best combined rating per engine & year, with EPA annual fuel cost and tailpipe CO₂. Trim & drivetrain vary slightly; decode your VIN for the exact figure.
See how the 545i stacks up against the most fuel-efficient sedans, or calculate this 545i's real yearly fuel cost.
What engines does the BMW 545i have? Power & range
The BMW 545i is offered with 1 powertrain — 4.4L 8-cyl. Here's the lineup by engine, transmission and drivetrain.
| Engine | Displacement | Transmission | Drive | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| V8 | 4.4L · 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | RWD | Premium |
Horsepower, torque and fuel-tank size decode from your VIN — exact figures vary by engine and trim.
Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov (engines, drivetrain, range, charge time). Horsepower & torque from NHTSA vPIC on VIN decode.
How much does a BMW 545i cost to own?
A BMW 545i tends to depreciate faster than average. A typical example keeps roughly 37% of its value after five years — losing about 63% to depreciation. Fuel, maintenance and insurance add to the total cost to own.
| Age | Value retained | Est. resale value | Lost to depreciation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75% | $22,500 | −$7,500 |
| Year 2 | 63% | $18,900 | −$11,100 |
| Year 3 | 53% | $15,900 | −$14,100 |
| Year 4 | 44% | $13,200 | −$16,800 |
| Year 5 | 37% | $11,100 | −$18,900 |
What goes into the five-year cost to own:
- Depreciation — the biggest cost: this 545i loses about 63% of its value over five years. See the full depreciation curve by age.
- Fuel — ≈ $20,250 over five years at roughly 15,000 miles a year.
- Maintenance & repairs — routine service, tires and wear items as the 545i ages.
- Insurance — varies by driver, state and trim; get a quote for your exact figure.
Resale & depreciation are ForCar estimates from typical segment value-retention curves — not a live market quote. Fuel from EPA fueleconomy.gov at ~15k mi/yr.
How much is a BMW 545i to insure?
A BMW 545i costs about $1,678 a year to insure for a typical driver on full coverage — roughly 17% above the average car. That's from its real HLDI insurance-loss index (117, where 100 = average car); your own rate moves with state, age, record and coverage.
Estimate = US-average premium × the 545i's HLDI loss index. See BMW insurance cost by model, cost by state, or compare any car.
Is the BMW 545i safe?
NHTSA crash-test ratings aren't published for the 545i yet — see the top-rated safest cars instead.
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How many miles does a BMW 545i last?
A well-maintained BMW 545i typically lasts 250,000–300,000+ miles. It's exceptionally durable — with routine maintenance many owners report 250k+ on the original powertrain.
Check your BMW 545i’s VIN — history, recalls & specs
Title records, open recalls, build details and paint code — straight from the VIN. Free.
Check this 545i’s VIN free →All BMW 545i model years
A year-by-year snapshot of the BMW 545i — recalls, best EPA fuel economy and NHTSA safety. Tap a year for full details.
| Year | Recalls | Best MPG | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 545i | 0 | — | |
| 2004 545i | 0 | — |
Recalls = NHTSA campaigns that year · MPG = best EPA combined · Safety = NHTSA overall stars (tested years).
Frequently asked questions
What are the worst years for the 545i?
We're still compiling NHTSA owner-complaint history for the BMW 545i.
How many recalls does the 545i have?
0 recorded NHTSA recalls across 2004–2005. Always check open recalls by your VIN. See all BMW recalls and reliability across every model.
What MPG does the 545i get?
Up to 19 combined MPG (EPA), depending on engine — from the base 4-cylinder to the hybrid.
How many miles does a 545i last?
A well-maintained 545i typically reaches 200,000–300,000 miles with regular maintenance.
Is the 545i reliable?
We're still compiling NHTSA data for the BMW 545i — its ForCar Reliability Score will appear once that data is in.
What's the BMW 545i warranty?
New BMW models carry a 4 years / 50,000 miles basic (bumper-to-bumper) warranty and a 4 years / 50,000 miles powertrain warranty. Coverage can vary by model year and market — confirm with a BMW dealer.
Where is the BMW 545i made?
The assembly plant is encoded in the VIN — the 11th character. Decode your 545i's VIN above to see exactly where it was built; BMW may build it at more than one plant depending on the year.
How much does a 545i weigh?
The 545i's curb weight is around 3,803 lb. Its GVWR — the maximum loaded weight — decodes from the VIN.
How much ground clearance does the 545i have?
Ground clearance varies by trim and drivetrain — AWD/4WD versions often sit higher. Decode your VIN or check the specific trim for the exact figure.