Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 M235i xDrive.
The 2016 BMW M235i xDrive is the xDrive-designated, automatic (S8) variant of the M235i, EPA-rated at 20/30/23 mpg and with engine-oil service following the specified Motologic procedures. Its reliability record is comparatively light: eight owner complaints on file, the Power Train area cited most often, and zero recalls. That makes the 2016 M235i xDrive a clean baseline for researchers tracking how the model’s reported issues develop across later model years.
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 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.
| Engine oil filter | 11428683168 alt 11428637820 |
| Engine air filter | 13718616909 |
| Spark plug | 12120037582 |
| Battery | 61217639053 alt 61217555719 |
| Front wiper blades | 61615A43583 |
| Thermostat | 11537598865 |
| Cabin air filter | 64116821995 alt 64119237555 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 174.4 in |
| Overall width | 69.7 in |
| Overall height | 55.9 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.5 in |
| Curb weight | 3527 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.8 / 61.4 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 20 / 30 / 23 mpg |
| Drivetrain | All-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine Castrol SAF-XO in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 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.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Clutch Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | Castrol SAF-XO |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.0-3.2 |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.5-3.2 |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | BMW MTF-LT-5 |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.5-3.0 |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | BMW MTF-LT-2 |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 11 |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Spark Plug Type | M14X1.25 |
| Spark Plug Gap | non-adjustable in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 20.0 - 24.3 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 800 cca |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 28-32 psi |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Stamped on rotor |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | Bolts 1-10 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 4 | 45 degrees | 45 degrees |
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 mi | Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
Owner complaints about the 2016 BMW M235i xDrive top in one area — the power train, 1 of 8 reports (12%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the power train 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 8 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 289 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B611305 | 2024-01-11 | Electrical System | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process… |
| B360121 | 2024-01-08 | Steering | At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when… |
| B340714 | 2023-10-13 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a… |
| B651523 | 2023-05-01 | Electrical System | After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode)… |
| B840822 | 2023-03-01 | Electrical System | The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be… |
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.
Interactive fuse-box and wiring references for this vehicle, searchable by circuit.
Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.
Refer to the appropriate Motologic service procedures for drain and refill procedure. of Use engine oil meeting BMW specification LL-01 or equivalent., per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 20 city / 30 highway / 23 combined mpg.