Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 John Cooper Works Roadster.
The 2012 Mini John Cooper Works Roadster is a passenger car based on the R59 platform, featuring a 6-speed manual transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 25/32/28 mpg. The vehicle requires 4.4 quarts of 5W-30 engine oil for its maintenance. This model year's reliability record consists of one recall and 67 total owner complaints, with the electrical system serving as the top complaint area.
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 | Manual 6-spd |
| Overall length | 146.9 in |
| Overall width | 66.1 in |
| Overall height | 54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 97.2 in |
| Curb weight | 2767 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 57.1 / 57.5 in |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 25 / 32 / 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.
Owner complaints about the 2012 Mini John Cooper Works Roadster lead in one area — the electrical system, 17 of 67 reports (25%), 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 67 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 153 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… |
| M010616 | 2025-02-21 | 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 |
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 / 32 highway / 28 combined mpg.