BMW135I Convertible2010Overview/bmw/135i-convertible/2010/base/
E88 platform

2010 BMW 135I Convertible

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2010 135I Convertible.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2010 BMW 135i Convertible is a passenger‑car built on the E88 platform and equipped with an automatic S6 gearbox, delivering an EPA rating of 17 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined while its 6.9‑quart oil capacity accepts 0W‑30, 0W‑40 or 5W‑30 viscosities. Its compact, retractable roof and rear‑wheel‑drive layout are complemented by a modestly efficient powertrain that balances performance with fuel economy. Reliability data for this model year show 45 owner complaints, most frequently centered on air‑bag issues, and ten recalls, placing the 2010 iteration as a relatively average point in the 135i’s service record—neither markedly problematic nor exceptionally robust.

Model year201320122011201020092008

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity6.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30OEM · verified
Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/26/20 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 48 · 570 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11428683168. 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 48 · 570 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeCONVERTIBLE and COUPE FRONT: P215-40R18; COUPE REAR: P245-35R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rimCONVERTIBLE and COUPE FRONT: 7.5; COUPE REAR: 8.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428683168 alt 11428637821
Engine air filter13717556961
Spark plug12120037244
Front wiper blades61615A87C97
Thermostat11537549476
Cabin air filter64319142114 alt 64319313519

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length172 in
Overall width68.9 in
Overall height55.5 in
Wheelbase104.7 in
Curb weight3380 lb
Track (front / rear)57.5 / 58.3 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 26 / 20 mpg
DrivetrainRear-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 6.9 qt of 0W-30 / 0W-40 / 5W-30 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 18.4 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. 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 FluidBMW part number 83220142516
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.5-11.5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.5 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil0W-30 · 0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity6.9 qt
Manual Transmission FluidBMW MTF part number 83229408942

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts18 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel BoltsAT: 92 ft-lbs, MT: 89 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.4 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts88 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Oil GroupPAG
Standard BCI Group Number48
Standard BCI Cranking Performance570 cca
Optional BCI Group Number94R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance640 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief19-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature190 °F
Engine Compression203-232 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi

Brakes

Brake ApplicationWITH 11.81 inch ROTOR / WITH FN3
Torque to Knuckle48 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Brake ApplicationWITH 11.81 inch ROTOR / WITH FN3
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.787 in / 0.945 in / 0.866 in / 1.024 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.787 in / 0.945 in / 0.866 in / 1.024 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.724 in / 0.881 in / 0.803 in / 0.961 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 13715 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
3Bolts 1-10 90 degrees90 degrees
445 degrees45 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7015 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 60,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)
Every 100,000 miTransmission Assembly (drain & refill)
At 150,000 miOxygen Sensor (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.

Owner complaints about the 2010 BMW 135I Convertible lead in one area — the air bags, 12 of 45 reports (27%), well ahead of the next concern. NHTSA has issued no recalls for this vehicle, so these are owner-reported concerns only. 2 of the reports describe a crash and 2 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

10
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
174
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
45
Owner complaints
2 involved a crash · 2 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 45 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags12
Fuel System, Gasoline7
Engine & Engine Cooling6
Engine3
Electrical System3
Exterior Lighting2
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting1
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 174 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B6110262026-04-23Electrical SystemWhile performing a 12-Volt battery jump start, disconnect, or replacement, Vehicle test…
B0120162025-03-13Electrical SystemThe Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship…
B0120162025-02-20Electrical SystemThe Footwell Module (FRM) limited warranty for defects in materials and / or workmanship…
B0688242024-12-18Unknown Or OtherScrew Cap Return
B0686242024-12-04Unknown Or OtherSocket Housing 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 135I Convertible. 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 2010 135I Convertible take?

6.9 qt of 0W-30, 0W-40, 5W-30, 5W-40 OIL MEETING BMW SPECIFICATION LL01, per the factory manual.

Does the 2010 135I Convertible have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 10 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the 135I Convertible get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 26 highway / 20 combined mpg.