Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2013 Cooper S.
The 2013 Mini Cooper S blends the brand’s signature go-kart agility with the practicality of a compact passenger car, built on the R60 platform and motivated by a spirited turbocharged engine that sips just enough fuel to return a combined 29 mpg—an efficient yet lively pairing with its standard six-speed automatic transmission. With a modest 4.4-quart oil capacity requiring 5W-30 viscosity, this model year stands out for its remarkably low owner-reported issues, registering only 13 complaints, none severe enough to trigger a recall. That near-flawless reliability record places the 2013 Cooper S among the most dependable entries in the nameplate’s two-decade run, offering researchers a rare sweet spot where driving engagement and long-term durability align.
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 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.
| Engine oil filter | 11427622446 |
| Engine air filter | 13717568728 alt 13717561235 |
| Spark plug | 12122158165 alt 12122293697 |
| Battery | 61217575326 alt 61217571896 |
| Front wiper blades | 61615A87CC6 |
| Thermostat | 11518613804 alt 11518613803 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319127516 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S6) |
| Overall length | 146.1 in |
| Overall width | 66.1 in |
| Overall height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 97.2 in |
| Curb weight | 2668 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 57.5 / 57.5 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 59/41 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 26 / 34 / 29 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
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 |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.6-4.0 |
| Power Steering Fluid | Use Pentosin CHF 11S |
| 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 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | L1 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 480 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 570 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.
The 2013 Mini Cooper S appears to be a relatively quiet year within the federal record, positioned between the 2010 model year (59 complaints, 4 recalls, 1 investigation) and the 2015 model year (71 complaints, 6 recalls, 2 investigations, and 417 TSBs). Across the broader arc of data provided, complaint volume dropped sharply from 529 in 2004 to single digits by the early 2020s, with 2010 and 2015 standing out as the high-water marks for owner-reported issues within this generation. The 2013 model year itself shows a narrow complaint footprint, led by the electrical system (4 complaints), with smaller clusters spanning air bags, service brakes, and exterior lighting, and zero recorded crash or fire incidents. That placement—between a busier 2010 and an even more active 2015—suggests 2013 benefited from late-cycle refinements before the subsequent model change brought a fresh wave of service-bulletin and recall activity. For a used-car buyer, the 2013 Mini Cooper S is a defensible pick within this generation's arc, though a pre-purchase electrical system inspection remains advisable given its dominance in the limited complaint data.
All 13 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 100 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| M010616 | 2026-05-06 | Electrical System | The Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship… |
| M610226 | 2026-04-30 | Electrical System | While performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, vehicle test… |
| 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… |
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 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 26 city / 34 highway / 29 combined mpg.