Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 M235i.
The 2016 BMW M235i, equipped with an automatic S8 transmission, achieves EPA-estimated fuel economy of 20 mpg city, 30 highway, and 24 combined. Within the model’s 2014–2022 complaint history, this year recorded the highest total of eight owner-reported issues, all concentrated in the power train, yet it carries no recalls. This positions the 2016 M235i as a notable outlier in the model’s reliability record, contrasting sharply with later years like 2022 that saw just a single complaint.
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 94R · 800 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 11428637820 |
| Engine air filter | 13718616909 |
| Spark plug | 12120037582 |
| Battery | 61217598775 alt 61217639053 |
| Front wiper blades | 61615A43583 |
| Thermostat | 11537598865 |
| Cabin air filter | 64119237555 alt 64116821995 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 174.4 in |
| Overall width | 69.7 in |
| Overall height | 55.5 in |
| Wheelbase | 105.9 in |
| Curb weight | 3693 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 59.8 / 60.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 53/47 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 20 / 30 / 24 mpg |
| Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Recommended fuel | Premium Gasoline |
0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.
Independent road tests for the M235i of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.
| Year | Trim / engine | 0–60 | ¼ mile | HP | Drivetrain |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | xDrive Coupe 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 4.50 sec | 13.20 sec | 320 hp | AWD |
| 2015 | Coupe 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 4.60 sec | 13.40 sec | 320 hp | RWD |
| 2015 | Coupe 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 4.90 sec | 13.40 sec | 320 hp | RWD |
| 2014 | Coupe 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 4.30 sec | 12.90 sec | 320 hp | RWD |
| 2014 | Coupe 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 4.40 sec | 13.00 sec | 320 hp | RWD |
| 2014 | Coupe 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 4.50 sec | 13.10 sec | 320 hp | RWD |
| 2014 | Coupe 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 4.50 sec | 13.10 sec | 320 hp | RWD |
| 2014 | Coupe 3.0L Turbo I-6 | 4.90 sec | 13.40 sec | 320 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine Castrol SAF-XO in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque 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 |
| Clutch Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Differential Gear Oil | Castrol SAF-XO |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 3.0-3.2 |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.5-3.2 |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | BMW MTF-LT-5 |
| Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity | 2.5-3.0 |
| Manual Transmission Fluid | BMW MTF-LT-2 |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 11 |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Driveshaft Flange to Transmission | M8 Bolts: 33.0, M10: 58.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Spark Plug Type | M14X1.25 |
| Spark Plug Gap | non-adjustable in |
| Spark Plug Torque | 20.0 - 24.3 ft-lbs |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 800 cca |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 28-32 psi |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for Replacement | Stamped on rotor |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | Bolts 1-10 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 4 | 45 degrees | 45 degrees |
Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.
Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 1,200 mi.
| At 1,200 mi | Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) |
Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.
The 2016 BMW M235i recorded 8 consumer complaints—the highest count across the available data years—yet notably generated zero recalls and zero NHTSA investigations, contrasting with 2014 (5 complaints, 3 recalls) and 2015 (5 complaints, 2 recalls). The complaint categories for 2016 are diffuse: one each for powertrain, electrical system combined with service brakes, electrical system combined with exterior lighting, and seat belts, suggesting no singular systemic defect but rather isolated failures across unrelated assemblies. Technical Service Bulletins remained substantial at 289, indicating the manufacturer continued issuing service guidance at near-2014 levels. By 2021–2022, complaints dropped to 0–1 with two recalls appearing for the 2021 model year, implying the issues surfacing in 2016 were addressed over time or remained below recall threshold. No crash or fire complaints were filed for 2016, which is reassuring. The concrete takeaway: a 2016 M235i represents the generation's peak complaint activity without a corresponding recall response, meaning potential defects may exist but were not severe enough for federal intervention—warranting thorough pre-purchase inspection, particularly of electrical and powertrain systems, but not disqualifying the purchase outright.
All 8 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 289 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… |
| B360121 | 2024-01-08 | Steering | At low outside temperatures (below 40 degrees F) and slow driving speeds (i.e. when… |
| B340714 | 2023-10-13 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Functional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a… |
| B651523 | 2023-05-01 | Electrical System | After programming the head unit (HU-H2), activating the FSC (German word Freischaltcode)… |
| B840822 | 2023-03-01 | Electrical System | The 3G network in the US has been shut down. This means that only the 4G network will be… |
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.
Refer to the appropriate Motologic service procedures for drain and refill procedure. of Use engine oil meeting BMW specification LL-01 or equivalent., per the factory manual.
NHTSA lists 0 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 20 city / 30 highway / 24 combined mpg.