BMW640I xDrive Convertible2012Overview/bmw/640i-xdrive-convertible/2012/base/
F12 platform

2012 BMW 640I xDrive Convertible

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 640I xDrive Convertible.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S8)

The 2012 BMW 640I xDrive Convertible is an F12-platform passenger car equipped with an eight-speed automatic and rated at an EPA 20 city and 30 highway mpg. Its 8.5-quart oil sump — serviced with 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ lubricant — points to a substantial powertrain package wrapped in a convertible body. On the reliability front, this model year carries just three owner complaints alongside three recalls, with the electrical system emerging as the top complaint area, placing it in the early F12 era where electrical concerns are the primary watch item for anyone researching this vehicle.

Model year20132012

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity8.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJOEM · verified
Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy20/30/23 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses 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.

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428683168 alt 11428637820
Engine air filter13717605913
Spark plug12120037582
Battery61217639053
Front wiper blades61612458020
Thermostat11538671514
Cabin air filter64119272642

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S8)

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined20 / 30 / 23 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 8.5 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 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 83222152426
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.5-11.5
Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear Oil Capacity1.2 Pints
Differential Gear Oil Capacity2.9 Pints
Engine CoolantETHYLENE GLYCOL
Engine Oil15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30
Engine Oil Capacity8.5 qt

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts18 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain PlugM12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub310 ft-lbs

Ignition

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

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.75-3.00 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Optional BCI Group Number95R
Optional BCI Cranking Performance950 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test21.7 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief28-32 psi
Engine Compression145-232 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle81 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.945 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To0.945 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.031 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.882 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
115 ft. lbs., Step 2: 14015 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
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9.66 ft. lbs
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)
At 120,000 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 2012 BMW 640I xDrive Convertible dominate in one area — the electrical system, 2 of 3 reports (67%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 2 recall campaigns target the electrical system, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 1 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the electrical system 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.

3
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
366
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
1
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
3
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 1 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 3 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Electrical System2
Unknown Or Other,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

16V746000Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel PumpReported 17/10/2016

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2007-2011 BMW X5 3.0si, X5 4.8i, X5 M, X5 xDrive30i, X5 xDrive35i, X5 xDrive48i and X5 xDrive50i, 2008-2011 X6 x Drive35i, X6 xDrive50i and X6 M, 2010-2011… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. The recall began February 2017. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

14V176000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 10/04/2014

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2010-2011 128i Coupe, 128i Convertible, 328i Sedan, 328i xDrive Sedan, 328i Coupe, 328i Convertible, 328i Sports Wagon and Z4 sDrive 30i, 2011-2012 135i… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the four VANOS housing bolts for both VANOS units (intake and exhaust), free of charge. In addition, owners of approximately…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 366 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B0657252025-11-18StructureRight Engine Hood Hinge Return
B0645252025-08-29Exterior LightingThird Stop Lamp Return
B1106142025-03-27EngineThis bulletin outlines the Customer Care Package program that has been designed…
B0654242024-07-23Visibility/WiperRoller Sunblind Return
B5108192024-01-16Electrical SystemThe basic conditions for initializing the power windows are not met.

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 640I xDrive 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 2012 640I xDrive Convertible take?

8.5 qt of HIGH PERFORMANCE MINERAL OILS: ABOVE 5 degrees F: 15W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, -5 degreesF TO 68 degrees F: 10W-40 API SJ, SL OR SM, 5 degreesF TO 50 degrees F: 10W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 50 degrees F: 5W-30 API SJ, SL OR SM, BELOW 32 degrees F:, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 640I xDrive Convertible have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the 640I xDrive Convertible get?

EPA figures are 20 city / 30 highway / 23 combined mpg.