Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Cooper Roadster.
The 2013 Mini Cooper Roadster, a passenger car built on the R59 platform, uses 4.4 quarts of 5W-30 oil and achieves EPA fuel economy of 27 city, 34 highway, and 30 combined mpg with its 6-speed automatic transmission. With 49 total owner complaints and one recall, its reliability falls between the higher-complaint 2012 model (67 complaints) and the lower-complaint 2014 model (33 complaints), with the electrical system being the top complaint area. This positions the 2013 as a middle ground in the 2012–2015 generation's reliability history.
Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.
Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.
From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI L1 · 480 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428643758. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.
| Engine oil filter | 11428643758 alt 11427622446 |
| Engine air filter | 13717568728 alt 13717561235 |
| Fuel filter | 11252754870 alt 16112755084 |
| Spark plug | 12122158165 alt 12122293697 |
| Battery | 61217575326 alt 61217571896 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612239962 alt 61610039343 |
| Thermostat | 11518613804 alt 11518613803 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319127516 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Overall length | 146.9 in |
| Overall width | 66.1 in |
| Overall height | 54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 97.2 in |
| Curb weight | 2635 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 57.1 / 57.5 in |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 27 / 34 / 30 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, USE CASTROL SAF-X0 OR EQUIVALENT in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 23.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | With CVT: BMW part number 83220136376 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | USE CASTROL SAF-X0 OR EQUIVALENT |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 0.8 qt |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.4 qt |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.4 qt |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 9 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | Bolts: 11 ft-lbs, nuts: 15 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 18.4 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | Bolts: 11, nuts: 15 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 18.4 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 23.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 103 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 770 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Spark Plug Gap | Not adjustable in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 14.8-19.2 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 570 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | L1 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 480 cca |
| Pressure Test | 22 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 18-22 psi |
| Engine Compression | 116-174 PSI. 43 maximum variation. psi |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs |
| Brake Application | WITH FN3 |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 26 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.394 in / 0.866 in / 0.945 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.394 in / 0.866 in / 0.945 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11 ft. lbs., Step 3: 130 | 4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 | |
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90 | 6 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 37 ft. lbs., Step 2: 150 | 37 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2013 model year recorded 49 complaints and a single recall, representing a decline from the 67 complaints seen in 2012 and standing well below the recall spikes that hit the generation in 2014 and 2015, when recalls jumped to seven and six, respectively, and investigations rose to two each year. Across this generation arc, federal data shows a clear inflection after 2013: complaints dipped to a low of 33 in 2014 but rebounded to 53 in 2015, while technical service bulletins surged from 149–153 in 2012–2013 to 430 in 2014 and 395 in 2015, coinciding with the sharp increase in recalls and investigations. The 2013 model sits at the tail end of the generation’s quieter early period, carrying low recall and investigation risk compared with 2014–2015, though it still generated 13 electrical system complaints and seven air bag complaints, with the data specifying no root cause for these reports. With zero fire complaints, one crash complaint, and no federal investigations, the 2013 Roadster presents a relatively stable profile within this generation. For a buyer, this makes 2013 a comparatively safer choice than the recall-heavy 2014–2015 models, provided the specific vehicle’s maintenance history is thoroughly reviewed.
All 49 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
Showing 5 of 149 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| M010616 | 2025-03-18 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| M010616 | 2025-02-21 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| M610124 | 2024-02-01 | Electrical System | Customers with a genuine MINI âÂÂClick and Drive Systemâ (C&D) accessory… |
| M511616 | 2023-11-02 | Structure | Cavity protection applied to underside of the hood is leaking out onto the wheel arch… |
| M610607 | 2023-10-25 | Electrical System | MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result… |
The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.
Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.
Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
4.4 qt of USE MINI SYNTHETIC 5W-30 MOTOR OIL, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 27 city / 34 highway / 30 combined mpg.