Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 M Roadster.
The 2006 BMW M Roadster, built on the E85 platform, represents the tail end of a two-seat convertible lineage whose complaint history across the 1998–2008 span tells a clear story of maturation, with early-year issues peaking at 19 complaints in 1998 and steadily declining to just one by 2008. Beneath its hood sits an engine requiring 6.9 quarts of oil, a detail that hints at the substantial mechanical hardware packaged into this compact roadster. For a researcher, the 2006 model year is significant because it falls in the latter stretch of that downward complaint trend, meaning it benefits from nearly a decade of refinements BMW made to the platform, making it a comparatively well-sorted example within the M Roadster's generational reliability arc.
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 47 · 480 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.
| Engine oil filter | 11428683168 alt 11421741000 |
| Engine air filter | 13717521033 alt 13717542545 |
| Fuel filter | 16117168284 |
| Spark plug | 12122158253 alt 12120022902 |
| Battery | 61216924021 alt 61217586961 |
| Front wiper blades | 61617054622 alt 61617079659 |
| Thermostat | 11531318402 alt 11531318274 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319195194 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Overall length | 161.8 in |
| Overall width | 70.1 in |
| Overall height | 51.2 in |
| Wheelbase | 98 in |
| Curb weight | 3274 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 58.3 / 57.9 in |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 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.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.1 Pints |
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 2.5 Pints |
| Engine Coolant | ETHYLENE GLYCOL |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 6.9 qt |
| Engine Oil | SYNTHETIC |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 5.8 qt |
| Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts | 18 ft-lbs |
| Engine Flywheel Bolts | AT: 92 ft-lbs, MT: 89 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Ignition Coil Primary Resistance | 0.8 ohms |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 47 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 480 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 640 cca |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 47 |
| Pressure Test | 29.0 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 26-30 psi |
| Thermostat Opening Temperature | 207 °F |
| Engine Compression | 130-261 PSI. 29 maximum variation. psi |
| Engine Compression | 159-174 PSI. |
| Torque Caliper to Bracket | 18-22 ft-lbs |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs / 49 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.866 in / 0.75 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.866 in / 0.75 in |
| Rotor Minimum Machining | 0.031 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.803 in / 0.685 in |
| Rotor Finish | 0.5 - 3.5 μin |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 120 | 15 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 44 ft. lbs., step 2: 50 degrees, step 3: 50 | 44 ft. lbs |
| 1 | 25-29 ft. lbs. | 25–29 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 | |
| 1 | 22 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | bolt 1-10 | 90 degrees |
| 4 | all turn 90 | |
| 1 | 15 ft. lbs., Step 2: 70 | 15 ft. lbs |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the spark plugs every 100,000 mi.
| Every 30,000 mi | Engine Coolant System (leak inspection) |
| Every 100,000 mi | Spark Plugs (replace) |
| At 120,000 mi | Oxygen Sensor (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.
Showing 5 of 23 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B611305 | 2024-01-11 | Electrical System | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process… |
| B340714 | 2023-10-13 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a… |
| B340414 | 2021-04-01 | Service Brakes, Air | Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused… |
| B611305 | 2020-10-01 | Electrical System | Discharged Battery Energy Diagnosis Must Be Performed: The electrical system of BMW… |
| B110208 | 2020-04-01 | Power Train | Power Reduction FC2A82 Intake VANOS and/or FC2 A87 Exhaust VANOS Camshaft Fault: The… |
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.
6.9 qt of USE ONLY BMW HIGH PERFORMANCE SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL BMW PART NO. 07510009420 OR EQUIVALENT, per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.