BMW128I Convertible2013Overview/bmw/128i-convertible/2013/base/
E88 platform

2013 BMW 128I Convertible

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 128I Convertible.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2013 BMW 128I Convertible is a passenger‑car built on the E88 platform and equipped with a 7.0‑quart oil capacity that can be filled with 0W‑30, 0W‑40 or 5W‑30 viscosity grades, paired with an Automatic (S6) transmission; its EPA fuel‑economy rating stands at 18/28/21 mpg, reflecting a balanced mix of city, highway and combined consumption. In terms of reliability, the model year generated 39 total owner complaints, with air‑bag concerns accounting for the highest share and three recall campaigns issued, indicating a modest but documented issue history.

Model year201320122011201020092008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity7.0 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy18/28/21 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 570 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428683168. 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.

Battery groupBCI 48 · 570 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size205-50 R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428683168 alt 11428637820
Engine air filter13717542294
Fuel filter16117163295
Spark plug12120037663
Front wiper blades61615A87C97
Thermostat11537549476
Cabin air filter64319142114 alt 64319313519

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height55.5 in
Wheelbase104.7 in
Curb weight3208 lb
Track (front / rear)57.5 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined18 / 28 / 21 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 7.0 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 engine oil, USE CASTROL BOT448 OR EQUIVALENT in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.4 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidBMW part number 83220142516
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.5-11.5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilUSE CASTROL BOT448 OR EQUIVALENT
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.7 qt
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity7.0 qt
Manual Transmission FluidBMW MTF part number 83229408942

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance570 cca
Optional BCI Group Number94R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance640 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief19-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature190 °F
Engine Compression130-261 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi

Brakes

Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Bolts 1-10 90 degrees90 degrees
445 degrees45 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Bolts 1-10 90 degrees90 degrees
445 degrees45 degrees

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

At 120,000 miOxygen Sensor (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2013 BMW 128I Convertible dominate in one area — the air bags, 25 of 39 reports (64%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recalls 20V-017 and 16V-071 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming they were actually performed. 1 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags 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.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
203
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
39
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 39 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags25
Engine & Engine Cooling3
Structure,Service Brakes,Engine1
Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train1
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Electrical System,Structure,Unknown Or Other1
Air Bags,Seat Belts1
Air Bags,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

20V017000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 15/01/2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The…

16V071000Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator ModuleReported 05/02/2016

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2008-2013 128i and 135i coupes and convertibles and 1 Series M coupes, 2006-2011 325i, 325xi, 328i, 328xi, 328i xDrive, 330i, 330xi, 335i, 335xi, 335i… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag module or inflator depending on the vehicle model, free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 203 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B6110262026-04-23Electrical SystemWhile performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, Vehicle test…
B6113052024-01-11Electrical SystemThe electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process…
SB23-012023-08-02SteeringSpl Parts, Inc. communications index accompanying MCP uploads 23mc40464 & 23mc40471
SB 23-012023-07-14SuspensionSPL Parts, Inc. manufacturers and distributes aftermarket lower control arms for…
B0101222023-05-01EquipmentWith the court's FINAL approval, BMW of North America, LLC (BMW NA) has entered into a…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific 128I Convertible. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2013 128I Convertible take?

7.0 qt of 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 OIL MEETING BMW SPECIFICATION LL01, per the factory manual.

Does the 2013 128I Convertible have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 128I Convertible get?

EPA figures are 18 city / 28 highway / 21 combined mpg.