MiniCooper S2011Overview/mini/cooper-s/2011/base/
R60 platform

2011 Mini Cooper S

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2011 Cooper S.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2011 Mini Cooper S is a passenger‑car built on the R60 platform, powered by an engine that holds 4.4 quarts of oil and is filled with 5W‑30 viscosity. It is paired with a six‑speed automatic transmission and delivers EPA‑rated fuel economy of 25 city, 33 highway, and 28 combined miles per gallon. Reliability data show only 12 total owner complaints, three recalls, and a complaint count that places the 2011 model near the low end of the 2004‑2025 complaint curve, where the peak was 529 complaints in 2004 and the trough fell to just one in 2022. Consequently, the 2011 Cooper S sits among the more dependable years of the model’s history for researchers tracking Mini’s evolution.

Model year201320122011

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 economy25/33/28 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 11427622446. 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 filter11427622446
Engine air filter13717561235 alt 13717568728
Spark plug12122293697 alt 12122158165
Battery61217575326 alt 61217571896
Front wiper blades61615A87CC6
Thermostat11518613804 alt 11518613803
Cabin air filter64319127516

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length146.1 in
Overall width66.1 in
Overall height55.5 in
Wheelbase97.2 in
Curb weight2668 lb
Track (front / rear)57.5 / 57.5 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)59/41

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined25 / 33 / 28 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 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.

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 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
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug23.0 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
Standard BCI Group NumberL1
Standard BCI Cranking Performance480 cca
Optional BCI Group Number48
Optional BCI Cranking Performance570 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
Brake ApplicationWITH FN3
Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
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

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
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
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 2011 Mini Cooper S sits in a period of moderate complaint activity, with 59 complaints and 4 recalls reported that year, slightly higher than the 36 complaints in 2009 but lower than the 140 complaints in 2010. Compared to the 2008 baseline of 16 complaints, the 2011 figures indicate a modest upward trend in consumer concerns during the early 2010s. The recall count of four matches the 2008 and 2010 levels, suggesting no sudden spike in safety defects. In the broader generation, the complaint count peaked in 2010 and then fell sharply to single digits by 2017, while recalls remained relatively low thereafter. The 2011 model’s top complaint areas—primarily electrical system issues—mirror the pattern seen in adjacent years, with no new root causes identified in the data. Given the moderate complaint level and the absence of a significant recall surge, 2011 is a reasonable year to purchase, provided a thorough pre‑purchase inspection is performed.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
134
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
12
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 2 a fire
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 12 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System3
Electrical System,Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Electrical System,Air Bags,Seats1
Steering,Wheels,Unknown Or Other1
Engine1
Vehicle Speed Control,Engine1
Air Bags,Seats1
Electrical System,Air Bags,Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V248000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/SuperchargerReported 18/04/2018

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2011-2012 BMW 550i, 550i xDrive, 550i Gran Turismo, 550i Gran Turismo xDrive, 750i, 750Li, 750i xDrive, 750Li xDrive, 760Li, X5 xDrive50i, X5 M, X6 xDrive50i, X6 M… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the electric auxiliary water pump, free of charge. Depending on the model, there are currently limited parts available, however…

12V008000Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/SuperchargerReported 11/01/2012

BMW IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2007-2011 MINI COOPER S, 2008-2011 MINI COOPER S CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER S CONVERTIBLE, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW, 2009-2011 MINI COOPER JCW CLUBMAN, 2009-2011 COOPER JCW… Remedy: BMW WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WATER PUMP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGANDURING FEBRUARY 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT BMW AT 1-866-275-6464.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 134 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
M6102262026-04-30Electrical SystemWhile performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test…
M6401162024-01-19StructureCustomer complains of a musty odor or damp front footwell carpet.
M6106072023-10-25Electrical SystemMINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result…
M3601192021-12-01EquipmentNew RDC wheel electronics will be introduced with future generation MINI models. The new…
M0111162020-08-01SeatsOC3 SEAT OCCUPANCY MAT - LIMITED WARRANTY EXTENSION TO 10 YEARS/120,000 MILES…

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 S. 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 2011 Cooper S take?

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

Does the 2011 Cooper S have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Cooper S get?

EPA figures are 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined mpg.