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2020 BMW 230i

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 230i.

Transmission Automatic (S8)

The 2020 BMW 230i is documented for this model year with an eight-speed automatic transmission and EPA fuel economy ratings of 23 mpg city, 34 mpg highway, and 27 mpg combined, establishing the baseline specification for the 230i designation in this reference catalog. The pairing of the S8 gearbox with these consumption metrics defines the vehicle's mechanical signature, with the 34 mpg highway figure emerging as the standout among the three efficiency benchmarks. Within the 230i lineage, the 2020 model year continues the nameplate's established specification sheet without deviation in the documented data, placing it as a continuity point rather than a turning point in the model's history. For researchers, the implication is that the 230i holds to its transmission and efficiency baselines, offering a consistent data point for year-over-year comparison.

Model year202020192018

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy23/34/27 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 94R · 800 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11425B3A1A5. 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 94R · 800 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeConvertible & Coupe: 205/50R17 89VOEM · verified
Wheel / rimConvertible & Coupe: Standard: 7.5; Option 1: 7.5; Option 2 & 3: Front: 7.5, Rear: 8 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11425B3A1A5 alt 11428591462
Engine air filter13718632502
Spark plug12120040551
Battery61216806755
Front wiper blades61615A43583
Thermostat11538658573 alt 11538658574
Cabin air filter64119237555 alt 64116821995

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length174.4 in
Overall width69.7 in
Overall height55.9 in
Wheelbase105.5 in
Curb weight3545 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 61.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)50/50

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined23 / 34 / 27 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the 230i of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

5.3–5.8 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.30 sec — 2017 xDrive Coupe (Sport)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2018Coupe (Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-45.60 sec14.00 sec248 hpRWD
2017xDrive Coupe (Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-45.30 sec13.90 sec248 hpAWD
2017Coupe (Sport) 2.0L Turbo I-45.80 sec14.40 sec248 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs.

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs14.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.08-1.23 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Group Number94R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance800 cca

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque21.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 11.18; Rear: 11.42

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90°, Step 3: 180°22 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

This vehicle uses condition-based service — it signals maintenance needs through its onboard service indicator rather than fixed mileage intervals. Items on the factory schedule:

ReplaceEngine Oil Filter · Spark Plugs · Engine Oil · Keyless Entry Remote Battery · Cabin Air Filter · Engine Air Filter Element
InspectWindshield Washer System · Parking Brake System · Body Water Drains · Underbody · Brake Line · Disc Brake Caliper · Convertible Top · Brake Rotor
Road testUniversal Vehicle Operation
Inspect Fluid LevelEngine Coolant System
ResetTire Pressure Monitoring System
Drain, Refill & BleedBrake Hydraulic System

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
0
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
0
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire

No owner complaints on record with NHTSA for this vehicle.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V352000Air Bags:Knee BolsterReported 09/05/2019

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive, M2 Competition Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, and 2019 330i xDrive Sportswagon vehicles. The… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the knee air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

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 230i. 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.

Group 94R batteryEngine oil filter 11425B3A1A5Engine air filter 13718632502Spark plug 12120040551Battery 61216806755

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBsOBD-II trouble codesTorque specificationsMaintenance schedulesFluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

Does the 2020 230i have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 230i get?

EPA figures are 23 city / 34 highway / 27 combined mpg.