Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 COOPER S JCW - Convertible R57.
The 2012 Mini Cooper S JCW Convertible is an open-top passenger car driven by the R57 engine and an S6 automatic transmission, returning an EPA-estimated 28 combined mpg from its 25 city and 33 highway ratings while requiring a precise 4.4-quart capacity of 5W-30 engine oil. Despite these straightforward mechanical specifications, this model year occupies a problematic position in the vehicle's reliability history, anchored by 65 owner complaints predominantly focused on the electrical system alongside a single recall. Consequently, researchers evaluating this convertible must account for an ownership landscape where documented electrical vulnerabilities and a factory recall overshadow the car's otherwise routine maintenance requirements.
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 | 13717561235 alt 13717568728 |
| Fuel filter | 11252754870 alt 16112755084 |
| Battery | 61217571896 alt 61217575326 |
| Front wiper blades | 61610028137 alt 61612239962 |
| Thermostat | 11518613803 alt 11518613804 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319127516 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Overall length | 145.7 in |
| Overall width | 66.1 in |
| Overall height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 97.2 in |
| Curb weight | 2546 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 57.5 / 57.5 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 61/39 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 25 / 33 / 28 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, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | With CVT: BMW part number 83220136376 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.4 qt |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.6-4.0 |
| Power Steering Fluid | Use Pentosin CHF 11S |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 6 ft-lbs |
| 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 |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | Bolts: 11, nuts: 15 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 18.4 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 103 ft-lbs |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.331 in / 0.803 in / 0.882 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.00013 μin |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11 ft. lbs., Step 3: 130 | 4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11 ft. lbs., Step 3: 130 | 4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90 | 6 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90 | 6 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 37 ft. lbs., Step 2: 100 | 37 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.
Owner complaints about the 2012 Mini COOPER S JCW - Convertible lead in one area — the electrical system, 17 of 65 reports (26%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 1 of the reports describe a crash and 7 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the electrical system pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.
All 65 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 132 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| M010616 | 2026-05-06 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| M610226 | 2026-04-30 | Electrical System | While performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test… |
| M010616 | 2025-03-18 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| M060424 | 2024-05-06 | Engine | Hot-Film Air Mass Meter Return |
| M511616 | 2023-11-02 | Structure | Cavity protection applied to underside of the hood is leaking out onto the wheel arch… |
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 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined mpg.