BMWM82020Overview/bmw/m8/2020/base/

2020 BMW M8

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 M8.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2020 BMW M8 is the focus of this overview, pairing an eight-speed automatic (S8) transmission with EPA fuel-economy ratings of 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. In the 2019–2021 M8 complaint record, the 2020 model year carries the full weight of the data as both the highest- and lowest-complaint year with five owner reports, concentrated in the electrical system, vehicle speed control, and engine areas, and it is tied to five recalls. That makes the 2020 model year the single reference point for assessing this generation's early reliability.

Model year20252024202320222020

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy15/21/17 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses OE oil filter 11427848321. 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.

Tire size275/35ZR20/XL 102Y; Rear: 285/35ZR20/XL 104YOEM · verified
Wheel / rim9.5; Rear: 10.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11427848321
Engine air filter13717852382 alt 13717852380
Spark plug12120054451
Battery61217908325
Front wiper blades61619478909
Thermostat11538632664 alt 11537586885
Cabin air filter64115A1BDB6 alt 64115A1BDB7

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length191.3 in
Overall width74.8 in
Overall height53.1 in
Wheelbase111 in
Curb weight4570 lb
Track (front / rear)64.2 / 64.6 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)53/47

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined15 / 21 / 17 mpg
DrivetrainAll-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 M8 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

2.5–3.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 2.50 sec — 2020 Competition Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2020Competition Coupe 4.4L Twin-Turbo V82.50 sec10.70 sec617 hpAWD
2020Competition Gran Coupe 4.4L Twin-Turbo V82.70 sec10.80 sec617 hpAWD
2020Competition Coupe 4.4L Twin-Turbo V83.30 sec11.40 sec617 hpAWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts88.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bearing Cap to Cylinder Head88 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
144.0 inch lbs., Step 2: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 3: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 4: 75°, Step 4: Loosen Bolts 180°, Step 6: 44.0 inch lbs., Step 7: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 8: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 9: 75°, Step 10: Loosen 180°, Step 11: 44.0 inch lbs., Step 12: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 13: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 14: 75°, Step 15: Loosen bolts., Step 16: 44.0 inch lbs., Step 17: 15.0 ft. lbs., Step 18: 22.0 ft. lbs., Step 19: 75°44 in
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 140°22 ft. lbs

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 2020 BMW M8 shows a marked increase in federal actions compared with the surrounding model years: complaints rose from 0 in 2019 to 5 in 2020 before dropping back to 0 in 2021, while recalls climbed from 1 in 2019 to a peak of 5 in 2020 and then fell to 2 in 2021. Technical service bulletins also spiked in 2020 to 191, far above the 9 issued in 2019 and the 130 in 2021. The target‑year complaint areas are spread across electrical, fuel/propulsion, braking/vehicle‑speed‑control, and power‑train systems, each cited once, and there is one crash‑related complaint with no fire complaints recorded. Because the data do not specify root causes for these issues, the spike appears isolated to the 2020 model year. Consequently, the 2020 BMW M8 represents a less favorable year to buy unless any outstanding recalls have been verified as completed.

5
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
191
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
5
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 0 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 5 complaints on record, top 5 components.

Electrical System,Vehicle Speed Control,Engine1
Fuel/Propulsion System1
Vehicle Speed Control,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance1
Power Train1
Visibility1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

21V096000Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: CameraReported 19/02/2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2021 X3 sDrive30i, X3 xDrive30i, X3 M40i, X3M, X4 xDrive30i, X4 M40i, M550i, X4M, X5 sDrive40i, X5 xDrive40i, X5 xDrive50i, X5M, X5 M50i, X7 xDrive40i, X7… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rearview camera software and update it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2021. Owners may contact BMW…

21V062000Service Brakes, HydraulicReported 10/02/2021

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 191 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B0117242025-09-19EngineThe Fuel Injector Condition-Specific Repair Coverage Program applies to qualifying…
B0117242025-07-09Fuel/Propulsion SystemThe Fuel Injector Condition-Specific Repair Coverage Program applies to qualifying…
B0635252025-06-17EngineEngine Return
B0117242025-01-21Fuel/Propulsion SystemThe Fuel Injector Condition-Specific Repair Coverage Program applies to qualifying…
B0108212024-12-11EngineThe NVLD limited emission related warranty for defects in materials or workmanship has…

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 M8. 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 2020 M8 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the M8 get?

EPA figures are 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined mpg.