Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Cooper S Roadster.
The 2013 Mini Cooper S Roadster is a two‑seat passenger car built on the R59 platform, requiring 4.4 qt of 5W‑30 engine oil. During its model year it generated 72 owner complaints, with the electrical system being the most frequently cited issue and a single recall recorded. Looking at the broader 2012‑2015 complaint history, the 2013 model represents the peak (72 complaints) while the 2012 model marks the trough (23 complaints). This positions the 2013 Cooper S Roadster as the reliability low point within that generation.
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 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.
| Engine oil filter | 11428643758 alt 11427622446 |
| Engine air filter | 13717568728 alt 13717561235 |
| Fuel filter | 11252754870 alt 16112755084 |
| Spark plug | 12122158165 alt 12122293697 |
| Battery | 61217575326 alt 61217571896 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612239962 alt 61610039343 |
| Thermostat | 11518613804 alt 11518613803 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319127516 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 146.9 in |
| Overall width | 66.1 in |
| Overall height | 54.7 in |
| Wheelbase | 97.2 in |
| Curb weight | 2745 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 57.1 / 57.5 in |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 4.4 qt of 5W-30 engine oil, USE CASTROL SAF-X0 OR EQUIVALENT in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 23.0 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.
| Automatic Transmission Fluid | With CVT: BMW part number 83220136376 |
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | USE CASTROL SAF-X0 OR EQUIVALENT |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 0.8 qt |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.4 qt |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 4.4 qt |
| Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs | 9 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | Bolts: 11 ft-lbs, nuts: 15 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 18.4 ft-lbs |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | Bolts: 11, nuts: 15 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 18.4 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 23.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 103 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Curb Idle Speed (No Load) | 770 rpm |
| Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load) | 50 rpm |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Spark Plug Gap | Not adjustable in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 14.8-19.2 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 570 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | L1 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 480 cca |
| Pressure Test | 22 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 18-22 psi |
| Engine Compression | 116-174 PSI. 43 maximum variation. psi |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs |
| Brake Application | WITH FN3 |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 26 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.394 in / 0.866 in / 0.945 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.394 in / 0.866 in / 0.945 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11 ft. lbs., Step 3: 130 | 4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 | |
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 1 | 6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90 | 6 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 37 ft. lbs., Step 2: 150 | 37 ft. lbs |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
In 2013 the Mini Cooper S Roadster recorded 72 complaints, the highest among the four years, with 1 recall and 161 TSBs. Complaint volume fell to 46 in 2014 and 69 in 2015, while recalls rose to 7 and 6 respectively, indicating a peak in owner concerns during the target year. The top complaint categories were Electrical System (18), Air Bags (10), Unknown Or Other (6) and Engine (5), and the model logged 2 crash‑related complaints but no fire complaints. Investigations and additional TSBs were absent for 2013, whereas 2014 and 2015 each involved two investigations, suggesting the 2013 model experienced fewer formal safety actions. Because the 2013 year shows the highest complaint count but limited recall activity, a buyer should ensure a thorough inspection of electrical and air‑bag components and may find later model years more reliable.
All 72 complaints on record, top 8 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
Showing 5 of 161 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| M010616 | 2025-03-18 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| M010616 | 2025-02-21 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| M610124 | 2024-02-01 | Electrical System | Customers with a genuine MINI âÂÂClick and Drive Systemâ (C&D) accessory… |
| M511616 | 2023-11-02 | Structure | Cavity protection applied to underside of the hood is leaking out onto the wheel arch… |
| M610607 | 2023-10-25 | Electrical System | MINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result… |
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.
4.4 qt of USE MINI SYNTHETIC 5W-30 MOTOR OIL, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.