Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Timing Belt (inspect) |
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 1999 M Roadster.
The 1999 BMW M Roadster is built on the E36 chassis and powered by a manual 5‑speed transmission, delivering EPA‑rated 17/24/20 mpg city/highway/combined. Its engine requires 7.0 qt of oil, with 15W‑40 / 10W‑40 / 10W‑30 API SJ as the approved viscosities. In terms of reliability, this model year sits near the midpoint of the 1998‑2008 complaint window, with only 18 owner complaints—mostly structural—and no recalls, indicating a relatively solid track record compared to the peak of 19 complaints in 1998 and the low of one in 2008.
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 48 · 650 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11421730389. 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 | 11421730389 alt 11427512300 |
| Engine air filter | 13721730449 |
| Fuel filter | 13321740985 |
| Spark plug | 12129069877 alt 12129071003 |
| Battery | 61217586960 alt 61218381738 |
| Front wiper blades | 61611387678 alt 61619070581 |
| Serpentine belt | 11281437449 alt 11287636379 |
| Thermostat | 11537511580 alt 11537509357 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Manual 5-spd |
| Overall length | 158.7 in |
| Overall width | 68.5 in |
| Overall height | 50 in |
| Wheelbase | 96.9 in |
| Curb weight | 3086 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 55.9 / 58.7 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 17 / 24 / 20 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Regular Gasoline |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 7.0 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0 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.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 3 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 7.0 qt |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 7.0 qt |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 89 ft-lbs, MT: 78 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | 22.0 ft-lbs |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 16 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Refrigerant Capacity | 1.75-2.26 lbs |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 650 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 650 cca |
| Pressure Test | 14.5 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 13-17 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 203 °F |
| Pressure Test | 14.5 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 13-17 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 176 °F |
| Injector Primary Resistance | 15-17 ohms |
| Engine Compression | 142-156 psi |
| Brake Application | WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 81 ft-lbs / 18-22 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81-96 ft-lbs / 81 ft-lbs |
| Brake Application | WITH SOLID ROTOR / WITH VENTED ROTOR |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 49 ft-lbs |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 81 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81-96 ft-lbs |
| 1 | 4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 14 ft. lbs., Step 3: 70 | 4 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 29.5 ft. lbs. | 29.5 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 | |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 | |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
| Every 50,000 mi | Timing Belt (inspect) |
| Every 100,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 1999 model year registers 18 complaints, tracking closely with the 19 filed in both 1998 and 2000 to form a consistent early-production plateau before volumes drop to five complaints in 2001. Unlike the surrounding model years which each generated seven technical service bulletins, 1999 carries only five TSBs—the lowest of the 1998–2001 production window—while sharing the generation’s clean recall and investigation record. Structure-related issues account for six of the eighteen 1999 complaints, though the federal data does not specify root cause, and the year records zero crash or fire incidents. Positioned within the stable initial production arc yet carrying fewer service bulletins than its immediate siblings, 1999 represents a statistically favorable entry point that offers early-build consistency without elevated documented failure rates, making it a sound candidate for purchase.
All 18 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 5 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B340714 | 2023-10-13 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a… |
| SIB-34-04-14 | 2014-12-01 | Service Brakes | BMW: RUNNING NOISES HEARD WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, WITH HIGH BRAKE LOADS; THROUGH WHEEL… |
| 120299 | 1999-02-01 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CUSTOMER MAY COMPLAIN OF ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH ON COLD START. *TT |
| 710199 | 1999-02-01 | Equipment | PROCEDURES ON REPLACING M-MOBILITY SYSTEM. *TT |
| 34 08 98 | 1998-10-01 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | PROCEDURES TO INSTALL ASC SWITCH AND INDICATOR BULB. *YC |
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.
7.0 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.
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 17 city / 24 highway / 20 combined mpg.