MiniCooper Clubman2012Overview/mini/cooper-clubman/2012/base/
R55 platform

2012 Mini Cooper Clubman

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Cooper Clubman.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2012 Mini Cooper Clubman is an R55-platform passenger car pairing an S6 automatic transmission with an EPA-rated 30 combined mpg, utilizing an engine that requires precisely 4.4 quarts of 5W-30 oil. This specific model year sits at the bottom of the Clubman's 2011-2014 reliability history, logging the highest complaint volume of the generation at 30 total owner grievances. With the electrical system driving the bulk of these issues alongside a single recall, the 2012 model's troubled track record means it warrants significantly more scrutiny than the far more stable 2014 iteration, which saw complaints drop to just four.

Model year202420232022202120202019201820172012

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.4 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy27/34/30 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI L1 · 480 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428643758. 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.

Battery groupBCI L1 · 480 CCAOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428643758 alt 11427622446
Engine air filter13717561235 alt 13717568728
Fuel filter11252754870 alt 16112755084
Spark plug12122293697 alt 12122158165
Battery61217571896 alt 61217575326
Front wiper blades61610028137 alt 61612239962
Thermostat11518613803 alt 11518613804
Cabin air filter64319127516

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length155.1 in
Overall width66.1 in
Overall height56.3 in
Wheelbase100.4 in
Curb weight2723 lb
Track (front / rear)56.7 / 57.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined27 / 34 / 30 mpg
DrivetrainFront-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidWith CVT: BMW part number 83220136376
Brake FluidDOT 4
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine OilSYNTHETIC · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity4.4 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity3.6-4.0
Power Steering FluidUse Pentosin CHF 11S
Power Steering FluidUSE BMW PART NO. 82110148132 PENTOSIN CHF11S

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs6 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs9 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsBolts: 11 ft-lbs, nuts: 15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsBolts: 11, nuts: 15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine BoltsBolts: 11, nuts: 15 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)770 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW
Spark Plug GapNot adjustable in
Spark Plug Torque14.8-19.2 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Optional BCI Group Number48
Optional BCI Cranking Performance570 cca
Standard BCI Group NumberL1
Standard BCI Cranking Performance480 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test22 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18-22 psi
Engine Compression116-174 PSI. 43 maximum variation. psi

Brakes

Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.394 in / 0.866 in / 0.945 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.394 in / 0.866 in / 0.945 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.331 in / 0.803 in / 0.882 in
Rotor Finish0.00013 μin

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11 ft. lbs., Step 3: 1304 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11 ft. lbs., Step 3: 1304 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22 ft. lbs., Step 3: 906 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22 ft. lbs., Step 3: 906 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 10037 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15037 ft. lbs

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 2012 model year represents the complaint apex of this four-year arc, with 30 federal filings nearly doubling the 17 seen in both 2011 and 2013 before the series tapered to just 4 in 2014. While recalls moderated to one in 2012—down from two in 2011 and held flat through 2014—investigations remained at zero across the entire generation, yet Technical Service Bulletins plummeted from 127 in 2011 to only 8 in 2012, indicating a steep drop in manufacturer guidance compared with adjacent model years. Electrical system complaints dominated the 2012 record with 18 entries, against zero crash complaints and one fire complaint, though the data does not specify root cause for the fire or define the exact nature of the broader electrical grievances. Against that backdrop, 2012 occupies the riskiest position in this generation’s timeline, combining the highest owner-reported complaint volume with the sparsest factory support. Prospective buyers should therefore view the 2012 Clubman as a less favorable choice than the lower-complaint 2013 or 2014 alternatives.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
8
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
30
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 1 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 30 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System18
Air Bags3
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System2
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other1
Power Train1
Electrical System,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting1
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

23V337000Electrical SystemReported 11/05/2023

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2014 MINI Clubman Cooper, Clubman Cooper S, Clubman John Cooper Works, and 2007-2013 MINI Hardtop 2-Door Cooper, Cooper S, and John Cooper Works vehicles sold… Remedy: Dealers will inspect the sunroof drains, interior footwell area, and FRM and, depending upon the results of the inspection, certain components will be replaced. Owner notification…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 8 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
M0106162026-05-06Electrical SystemThe Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship…
M6102262026-04-30Electrical SystemWhile performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test…
M0106162025-03-18Electrical SystemThe Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship…
M0106162025-02-21Electrical SystemThe Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship…
M0604242024-05-06EngineHot-Film Air Mass Meter Return

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 Cooper Clubman. 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

How much oil does the 2012 Cooper Clubman take?

4.4 qt of USE MINI SYNTHETIC 5W-30 MOTOR OIL, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Cooper Clubman have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Cooper Clubman get?

EPA figures are 27 city / 34 highway / 30 combined mpg.