Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Cooper S Roadster.
The 2012 Mini Cooper S Roadster is a two-door passenger car built on the R59 platform, equipped with a six-speed automatic (S6) transmission that achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 25/33/28 mpg across city/highway/combined cycles, with an engine that requires 4.4 quarts of 5W-30 oil. In terms of factory-backed concerns, this model year carries two documented recalls, with the electrical system emerging as the most frequent source of owner complaints among the 23 total filed. Notably, the 2012 model year represents the lowest-complaint entry in the Roadster's 2012–2015 range, standing well below the peak of 72 complaints recorded for the 2013 model, suggesting that early-production examples of this generation experienced fewer systemic issues than those that followed.
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 |
| Spark plug | 12122293697 alt 12122158165 |
| 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 | 146.9 in |
| Overall width | 66.1 in |
| Overall height | 54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 97.2 in |
| Curb weight | 2745 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 57.1 / 57.5 in |
| 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. 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 |
| 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 |
| Power Steering Fluid | USE BMW PART NO. 82110148132 PENTOSIN CHF11S |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 | |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 | |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 | |
| 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.
The 2012 Mini Cooper S Roadster, as the apparent launch year for this generation, shows the lowest complaint volume at 23 versus 46–72 in subsequent years, with only two recalls and no investigations. Technical service bulletins are moderate at 152 but surge to 417–459 in 2014–2015, while recalls climb from one in 2013 to six or seven in the final two years, indicating a deteriorating federal record over the generation. The 2012 data highlights electrical system complaints as the leading category with ten reports, alongside two fire complaints, though the data does not specify root causes for either. Crash complaints are absent for 2012. Compared to the escalating recall and investigation activity in later model years, the 2012 presents a comparatively cleaner federal profile. For a buyer prioritizing minimal regulatory actions and lower reported complaint frequency, the 2012 is a good year to buy, provided the two fire complaints and electrical system reports are investigated during pre-purchase inspection.
All 23 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 152 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| M610607 | 2023-10-25 | Electrical System | MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result… |
| M360119 | 2021-12-01 | Equipment | New RDC wheel electronics will be introduced with future generation MINI models. The new… |
| M011116 | 2020-08-01 | Seats | OC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT - LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES… |
| M010419 | 2020-01-01 | Electrical System | CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT: N14 HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP (HDP) SERVICE BENEFIT CLASS… |
| M170912 | 2019-07-12 | Engine And Engine Cooling | "Service Action: Retrofit of the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. Internal corrosion… |
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 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined mpg.