BMWM22018Overview/bmw/m2/2018/base/

2018 BMW M2

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 M2.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AM-S7)

The 2018 BMW M2 is a passenger car equipped with an Automatic (AM-S7) transmission that delivers an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 20 city, 26 highway, and 22 combined mpg. When assessing the model's broader complaint history from 2016 to 2023, this specific year stands out as a high point for dependability. Logging the lowest number of owner complaints across the generation at just three—compared to the 17 complaints seen in 2017—the 2018 M2 represents a notably reliable choice despite a single recall and a few grievances focused on the suspension and power train.

Model year202620252024202320212020201920182017

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy20/26/22 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 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 94R · 800 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP245/35R19; Rear: P265/35R19OEM · verified
Wheel / rim9.0; Rear: 10.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428683168 alt 11428637820
Engine air filter13717602643
Spark plug12120039634
Battery61216806755
Front wiper blades61615A43583
Thermostat11537598865
Cabin air filter64119237555 alt 64116821995

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.4 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height55.5 in
Wheelbase105.9 in
Curb weight3953 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 60.2 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 26 / 22 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 M2 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.4–4.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.40 sec — 2020 CS Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017Coupe 3.0L Turbo I-64.10 sec12.70 sec365 hpRWD
2017Coupe (Michelin Pilot Sport 4 S) 3.0L Turbo I-64.10 sec12.90 sec365 hpRWD
2017Coupe (Michelin Pilot Super Sport) 3.0L Turbo I-64.20 sec12.90 sec365 hpRWD
2019Competition Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-63.90 sec12.40 sec405 hpRWD
2019Competition Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-64.00 sec12.40 sec405 hpRWD
2019Competition Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-64.00 sec12.40 sec405 hpRWD
2019Competition Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-64.00 sec12.40 sec405 hpRWD
2019Competition Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-64.30 sec12.60 sec405 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. 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

Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs72.0 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)16.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11 ft-lbs
Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) Sensor Bolt(s)33.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.19-1.23 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca
Optional BCI Group Number49
Optional BCI Cranking Performance90 AmpHrs cca

Service checks

RPM725.0

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
270 degrees70 degrees
270
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

1Bolts 1-1422 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-1490 degrees
3Bolts 1-14180 degrees
4M9 Bolts16.2 ft. lbs
5M9 Bolts16.2 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
144.0 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
245
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
16 ft. lbs.6 ft. lbs
29.6
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
16 ft. lbs.6 ft. lbs
29.6
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
270

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 1,200 mi.

At 1,200 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (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.

The 2018 BMW M2 sits at a clear inflection point in the model's complaint trend: federal records show a steep drop from 17 complaints in 2017 to just 3 in 2018, followed by zero complaints in 2019 and 2023. While the 2018 model carries one recall (matching the count for 2016, 2019, and 2023), its Technical Service Bulletin count of 102 is notably lower than the 131–135 range seen in 2016–2017, suggesting that early-generation teething issues were being resolved. The three complaints filed for 2018 are spread across suspension/powertrain, engine, and exterior lighting/visibility, with no crash or fire reports—indicating isolated rather than systemic problems. The data does not specify root causes for these complaints, but the overall arc points to improving reliability after the 2017 peak. For a buyer, the 2018 M2 represents a strong value: it benefits from the model's early refinement while avoiding the higher complaint volume of the first two years, provided any outstanding recall is verified as completed.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
102
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 3 components.

Suspension,Power Train1
Engine1
Exterior Lighting,Visibility/Wiper1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V719000Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/PanelReported 15/11/2017

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive, M2, and X3 xDrive 30i SAV vehicles. These vehicles may have an error in the software for the instrument panel, causing… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will update the instrument cluster display software, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin January 8, 2018. Owners may contact BMW…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 102 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B0647252025-09-09Service BrakesProtection Plate Return
B6113052024-01-11Electrical SystemThe electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process…
B3101242024-01-09SuspensionWith the vehicle is on a lift and the front struts are in the extended position, there…
B3601212024-01-08SteeringAt low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when…
B5132182023-11-08StructureThe paint finish on the door jamb (above the door striker) is scratched due to the inner…

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 M2. 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

Does the 2018 M2 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the M2 get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 26 highway / 22 combined mpg.