Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 M3 Coupe.
The 2013 BMW M3 Coupe is a passenger‑car built on the E92 chassis, equipped with an automatic AM‑S7 transmission and a 9.3‑quart oil capacity that accepts 0W‑30, 0W‑40 or 5W‑30 viscosities. Its fuel economy is modest for a performance sedan, achieving 14 mpg city, 20 mpg highway and a combined 16 mpg. In terms of reliability, owners reported only 13 complaints for the model year, with air‑bag issues topping the list and two recalls issued, a relatively low figure compared with the earlier generation’s peak of 141 complaints in 2003. This places the 2013 M3 Coupe toward the quieter end of the model’s historical complaint record, suggesting a comparatively stable reliability profile.
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 48 · 570 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11427838276. 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 | 11427838276 alt 11427837997 |
| Engine air filter | 13727838804 |
| Spark plug | 12120032273 |
| Battery | 61217586961 alt 61217586962 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612455437 |
| Thermostat | 11537836155 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319159606 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (AM-S7) |
| Overall length | 181.9 in |
| Overall width | 70.9 in |
| Overall height | 54.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.7 in |
| Curb weight | 4145 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 60.6 / 60.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 14 / 20 / 16 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 9.3 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 engine oil. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. 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.
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.5 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 9.3 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | Use Pentosin CHF 11S |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 1 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 18.4 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 221 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 570 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 640 cca |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 18-22 psi |
| Brake Application | WITH FN3 |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Brake Application | WITH FN3 |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.866 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.866 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.803 in |
| 1 | 44 ft. lbs., step 2: 40 degrees, step 3: 40 | 44 ft. lbs |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 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) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) |
| At 120,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The provided federal record spans only 2002–2004, where complaints peaked at 141 in 2003 before declining to 112 in 2004, while recalls dropped from 8 to 4 and investigations fluctuated. This early-generation trend shows a clear downward arc in reported issues, but the data does not include the target year 2013 or any years immediately before or after it, so a direct trend line cannot be drawn. For the 2013 model specifically, the top complaint area is air bags with 6 reports, followed by engine (2), electrical system (1), and power train (1), with 2 crash-related complaints and no fire complaints. The absence of recall or investigation figures for 2013 in the record, combined with these low complaint counts, suggests a relatively quiet year with no major systemic flags. Based solely on the provided numbers, the 2013 BMW M3 Coupe appears to be a solid choice with minimal reported issues.
All 13 complaints on record, top 7 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
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…
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…
Showing 5 of 104 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… |
| B340714 | 2023-10-13 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a… |
| B662419 | 2022-09-01 | Equipment | Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible… |
| B340414 | 2021-04-01 | Service Brakes, Air | Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused… |
| B110208 | 2020-04-01 | Power Train | Power Reduction FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2 A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The… |
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.
9.3 qt of 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 OIL MEETING BMW SPECIFICATION LL01, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.