Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 M3.
The 2010 BMW M3 utilizes the E92 platform paired with an S7 automatic transmission, relying on a substantial 9.3 quarts of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ oil to service its engine. It returns an EPA-estimated 14 city and 20 highway mpg for a 16 mpg combined average. Within the model's 1990-2025 reliability history, this specific year is notably stable, recording only 15 total owner complaints—focused on air bags and accompanied by four recalls—which places it far nearer to the all-time low of 1 complaint in 1996 than the problematic peak of 216 in 2006 and indicates a relatively trouble-free chapter for the nameplate.
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 | 61218381762 alt 61217594976 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612468941 alt 61612455437 |
| Thermostat | 11537836155 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319159606 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (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 |
| Passenger volume | 93 cu ft |
| Cargo volume | 12 cu ft |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the M3 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 3.90 sec | 12.40 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2009 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.10 sec | 12.60 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2009 | Sedan 4.0L V8 | 4.30 sec | 12.70 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2011 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.10 sec | 12.60 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2011 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.20 sec | 12.60 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2011 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.40 sec | 12.80 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2008 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.10 sec | 12.60 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2008 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.10 sec | 12.50 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 9.3 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ 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 | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 9.3 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | Use Pentosin CHF 11S |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| 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; spark plugs every 37,000 mi.
| At 1,200 mi | Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Transmission Assembly (drain & refill) |
| Every 37,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
| 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 2010 BMW M3 sits in the middle of the E9x generation (2008–2013) and shows a clear improvement over the early years: complaints dropped sharply from 82 in 2008 and 45 in 2009 to just 15 in 2010, while recalls held steady at four—down from five in each of the two prior years. However, the 2011 model year saw complaints rise again to 41, and the later years (2012–2013) recorded even fewer complaints (6 and 13) and recalls (3 and 2), indicating that the generation’s reliability arc improved toward the end. The 2010 model’s high TSB count (132) suggests many known service procedures exist, but the data does not specify root causes for the top complaint areas (air bags, engine). Overall, the 2010 M3 is a reasonably solid choice within the generation, offering fewer owner-reported issues than the early years, but the 2012–2013 models show even lower complaint and recall numbers, making them slightly preferable if budget allows.
All 15 complaints on record, top 6 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 4 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer…
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…
Showing 5 of 132 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… |
| B610322 | 2022-03-01 | Electrical System | The footwell module (FRM) cannot be encoded after replacement. |
| B340414 | 2021-04-01 | Service Brakes, Air | Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused… |
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 HIGH PERFORMANCE MINERAL OILS: ABOVE 5 degrees F: 15W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, -5 degreesF TO 68 degrees F: 10W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, 5 degreesF TO 50 degrees F: 10W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 50 degrees F: 5W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 32 degrees F:, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.