BMW230i2021Overview/bmw/230i/2021/base/

2021 BMW 230i

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 230i.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2021 BMW 230i enters the reference record as a model year running an eight-speed automatic and requiring 5.5 quarts of 0W-20 engine oil, with EPA ratings of 23 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined framing its efficiency profile. These service and consumption numbers form the practical baseline a researcher needs before situating the car within its segment, since oil capacity and viscosity define routine maintenance while the combined mpg anchors operating-cost comparisons. Because the overview supplied here contains no reliability survey data, any reading of where the 2021 model year sits in the 230i's long-term dependability arc should be drawn from published owner surveys and warranty-claims records rather than inferred from these specifications.

Model year2026202320222021

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity5.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-20OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/33/27 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 800 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11425B3A1A5. 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 94R · 800 CCAOEM · verified
Tire size205/50R17 89VOEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.5, Optional: 7.5, Front: 7.5, Rear: 8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11425B3A1A5 alt 11428591462
Engine air filter13718632502
Spark plug12120040551
Battery61216806755
Front wiper blades61615A43583
Thermostat11538658573 alt 11538658574
Cabin air filter64119237555 alt 64116821995

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.4 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase105.5 in
Curb weight3545 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 33 / 27 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the 230i of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.3–5.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.30 sec — 2017 xDrive Coupe (Sport)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018Coupe (Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-45.60 sec14.00 sec248 hpRWD
2017xDrive Coupe (Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-45.30 sec13.90 sec248 hpAWD
2017Coupe (Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-45.80 sec14.40 sec248 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 5.5 qt of 0W-20 engine oil, BMW G5 Hypoid Axle Oil P/N 83 22 2 471 487 in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to Use new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidATF3
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity9.2 qt
Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilBMW G5 Hypoid Axle Oil P/N 83 22 2 471 487
Engine CoolantInfiniti BASF Glysantin G40 Coolant
Engine CoolantInfiniti BASF Glysantin G40 Coolant
Engine Oil0W-20

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs14.0 ft-lbs
Cylinder Head InstructionsOnly use new bolts.
Engine Flywheel BoltsUse new bolts only. 88.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugUse new seal: 18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill PlugUse new fill plug: 44.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain PlugUse new drain plug: 44.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR1234yf
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46YF
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque21.0
ABS Sensor Torque6.6
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 11.18; Rear: 11.42

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1022 ft. lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
17.3 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.37.3 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

At 1,200 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

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

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V554000Seat BeltsReported 21/07/2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4… Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on…

21V342000Structure:Body:Roof And PillarsReported 12/05/2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 BMW 230i and M240i vehicles. Supports within the roof liner may be insecurely attached. Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair or replace the roof liner as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters will not be sent. The one owner was notified on June 15, 2021 by…

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 230i. 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 2021 230i take?

5.5 qt of BMW LongLife-14 FE+ 0W-20 is recommended., per the factory manual.

Does the 2021 230i have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 230i get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 33 highway / 27 combined mpg.