Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 M3.
The 2012 BMW M3 arrives as a passenger car built on the E93 platform, paired with the S7 automatic transmission and requiring 9.3 quarts of 15W-40, 10W-40, or 10W-30 API SJ oil to service its high-strained powertrain. EPA ratings stand at 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway for a combined 16 mpg, figures that reflect the model's performance-oriented calibration. In the broader reliability narrative spanning 1990 to 2025, this model year registers just six owner complaints—primarily concerning air bags—alongside three recalls, a remarkably low tally when contrasted with the 216 complaints logged for the 2006 model year and indicative of a relatively stable production run.
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 · 570 CCA battery, OE oil filter 11427838276. 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 | 11427838276 alt 11427837997 |
| Engine air filter | 13727838804 |
| Spark plug | 12120032273 |
| Battery | 61217586961 alt 61217586962 |
| Front wiper blades | 61612455437 |
| Thermostat | 11537836155 |
| Cabin air filter | 64319159606 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S7) |
| Overall length | 181.9 in |
| Overall width | 70.9 in |
| Overall height | 54.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 108.7 in |
| Curb weight | 4145 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 60.6 / 60.2 in |
| Weight distribution (front / rear) | 50/50 |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 14 / 20 / 16 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 M3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.30 sec | 12.70 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2011 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.10 sec | 12.60 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2011 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.20 sec | 12.60 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2011 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.40 sec | 12.80 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2010 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 3.90 sec | 12.40 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2009 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.10 sec | 12.60 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2009 | Sedan 4.0L V8 | 4.30 sec | 12.70 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
| 2008 | Coupe 4.0L V8 | 4.10 sec | 12.60 sec | 414 hp | RWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine holds 9.3 qt of 15W-40 / 10W-40 / 10W-30 API SJ engine oil. 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 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2. 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.
| Differential Gear Oil Capacity | 1.5 Pints |
| Engine Oil | 15W-40 · API · 10W-40 · 10W-30 · 5W-30 |
| Engine Oil Capacity | 9.3 qt |
| Power Steering Fluid | Use Pentosin CHF 11S |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts | 1 ft-lbs |
| Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts | 18.4 ft-lbs |
| Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug | M12 Bolts: 18.0, M22 Bolts: 44.0 ft-lbs |
| Lug Nuts | 88 ft-lbs |
| Rear Wheel Hub | 221 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-4-8-6-3-7-2 |
| Spark Plug Manufacturer | BMW |
| Refrigerant | R134a |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46 |
| Standard BCI Group Number | 48 |
| Standard BCI Cranking Performance | 570 cca |
| Optional BCI Group Number | 94R |
| Optional BCI Cranking Performance | 640 cca |
| Pressure Test | 21.7 psi |
| Radiator Cap Pressure Relief | 18-22 psi |
| Brake Application | WITH 11.49 inch ROTOR |
| Torque to Knuckle | 81 ft-lbs |
| Minimum Pad Thickness | Front: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads |
| Brake Application | WITH 11.49 inch ROTOR |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.866 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness To | 0.866 in |
| Rotor Discard at or Under | 0.803 in |
| Rotor Nominal Thickness From | 0.394 in |
| 1 | 44 ft. lbs., step 2: 40 degrees, step 3: 40 | 44 ft. lbs |
Prep Do not reuse old bolts
| 1 | 22.0 ft. lbs. | 22 ft. lbs |
| 2 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
| 3 | 90 degrees | 90 degrees |
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 M3 - E93 dominate in one area — the air bags, 4 of 6 reports (67%), well ahead of the next concern. That matters, because the air bags are also the target of recall 20V-017 on this vehicle — so the single most useful check before buying or servicing one is confirming it was actually performed. 0 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags 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.
All 6 complaints on record, top 2 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2009 328i and 328xi, 2009-2011 335d, 2008-2012 M3 Coupe and M3 Convertible, and 2008-2011 M3 Sedan vehicles. The connection of the positive battery cable at the fuse… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace and secure the positive battery cable connector, free of charge. The recall began August 14, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2008-2013 128i and 135i Convertibles, 128i, 135i, and M Coupes, 2007-2010 X3 30si and X3 xDrive30i, 2013-2015 X1 sDrive28i, X1 xDrive28i and X1 xDrive35i, 2007-2013… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver air bag. On X5 and X6 vehicles, only the inflator will be replaced. All repairs will be performed free of charge. The…
Showing 5 of 111 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… |
| B662419 | 2022-09-01 | Equipment | Vehicle cannot be opened or closed using comfort access, engine start is not possible… |
| B610322 | 2022-03-01 | Electrical System | The footwell module (FRM) cannot be encoded after replacement. |
| B340414 | 2021-04-01 | Service Brakes, Air | Diagnosis of Compound Brake System Complaints in M Vehicles: 1. Visible cracks are caused… |
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.
9.3 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 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined mpg.