Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 M3.
The 2012 BMW M3 is an E92-platform passenger car equipped with an automatic (S7) transmission, and its 9.3-quart oil capacity—accepting 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ—underscores the engine’s substantial appetite, while EPA ratings of 14/20/16 mpg reflect its performance-oriented nature. With just six owner complaints and three recalls, the top concern being air bags, this model year sits far from the 216-complaint peak of 2006 in the M3’s 1990–2025 history, marking it as a notably reliable entry.
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 (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 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Coupe 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 |
| 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 |
| 2008 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.10 sec | 12.60 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 11.49 inch ROTOR |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Brake Application | WITH 11.49 inch ROTOR |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.866 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.866 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.803 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.394 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 |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2012 BMW M3 sits at a notable inflection point in the dataset's trend. The generation's complaint volume peaked dramatically at 216 complaints in 2006, with elevated levels persisting through 2008 (82 complaints) and 2009 (45 complaints), then declined steadily through 2011 (41 complaints) before reaching the target year's 6 complaints—the lowest consumer complaint count in the entire dataset from 2005 through 2013. Recalls in 2012 numbered 3, consistent with the 4-5 annual recalls seen in the preceding years (2008-2011) but notably higher than the 2 recalls recorded for 2013, suggesting BMW addressed primary safety concerns by the 2012 model year. TSBs remained substantial at 111, indicating the vehicle still generated frequent technical service bulletins typical of this generation's complexity, though this figure declined from the peak of 137 in 2011. The top complaint categories for 2012 were Air Bags (4 complaints) and Engine (2 complaints), with zero crash or fire complaints recorded. The 2012 model represents a mature iteration of this generation, with resolved early-production issues reflected in the sharp complaint decline; however, the continued high TSB volume suggests ongoing maintenance sensitivity rather than a fundamentally problem-free vehicle. This is a reasonable year to purchase within this generation, as the data indicates the worst reliability concerns had largely passed by 2012, but buyers should budget for the typical maintenance costs associated with this complex high-performance platform.
All 6 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 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 111 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 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.