BMWM42018Overview/bmw/m4/2018/base/

2018 BMW M4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2018 M4.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (AM-S7)

The 2018 BMW M4 is a passenger car equipped with an automatic (AM‑S7) transmission and EPA‑rated fuel economy of 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. Owner complaint records show five total reports for the model’s 2014‑2022 span, with the only recall targeting the fuel/propulsion system and the 2018 model year posting just one complaint in its lowest‑complaint year of 2020. Overall, its complaint volume sits well below the peak of 21 complaints recorded in 2016, reflecting a comparatively stable reliability history for that year.

Model year202620252024202320222021202020192018

Quick specs

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

Lug nut torque103 ft-lbsOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy16/22/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI N/A · 60 O.E. AmpHrs. Li-ion Battery only. 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.

Battery groupBCI N/A · 60 O.E. AmpHrs. Li-ion Battery only. CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnREVERSEOEM · verified
Tire size255/40R18; Rear: 275/40R18OEM · verified
Wheel / rim9.0; Rear: 10.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11428683168 alt 11428637820
Engine air filter13727843283 alt 13727843284
Spark plug12120039634
Battery61218047221
Front wiper blades61615A43587
Thermostat11538632664 alt 11537586885
Cabin air filter64119237555 alt 64116821995

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (AM-S7)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length183.9 in
Overall width73.6 in
Overall height54.7 in
Wheelbase110.6 in
Curb weight4070 lb
Track (front / rear)62.2 / 63 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)52/48

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined16 / 22 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelPremium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the M4 of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

3.5–4.2 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 3.50 sec — 2016 GTS Coupe
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017Competition Package Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-64.00 sec12.10 sec444 hpRWD
2019CS Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-63.60 sec11.80 sec454 hpRWD
2019CS Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-63.70 sec12.00 sec454 hpRWD
2016GTS Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-63.50 sec11.70 sec493 hpRWD
2016Competition Package Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-63.80 sec12.10 sec444 hpRWD
2016GTS Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-63.80 sec12.10 sec493 hpRWD
2015Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-63.70 sec12.00 sec425 hpRWD
2015Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-63.90 sec12.10 sec425 hpRWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 20.0 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

Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)9.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)35.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)16.0 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts11 ft-lbs
Nitrogen Oxide (NOX) Sensor Bolt(s)33.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pan to Block Bolts9.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug20.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-5-3-6-2-4

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.19-1.25 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Standard BCI Cranking Performance60 O.E. AmpHrs. Li-ion Battery only. cca

Service checks

RPM725.0

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
270 degrees70 degrees
370
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
115.0 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9015 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

1Bolts 1-1422 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-1490 degrees
3Bolts 1-14180 degrees
4M9 Bolts16.2 ft. lbs
5M9 Bolts16.2 ft. lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
144.0 ft. lbs.44 ft. lbs
245
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 5 stages
1Bolt 13.7 ft. lbs
2Bolt 18.8 ft. lbs
3Bolts 2-108.8 ft. lbs
4Bolt 190 degrees
513.2
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 2 stages
115.0 ft. lbs.15 ft. lbs
270

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

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 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Intercooler (drain & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2018 BMW M4 sits amid a declining trend in federal complaints and recalls that began at a peak in 2015 and 2016, when complaints jumped to 12 and 21 respectively. 2018’s five complaints and single recall represent the lowest levels seen since 2014, and the year‑to‑year TSB count fell to 134 from 188 in 2017. The primary complaint areas in 2018 were Fuel/Propulsion System (four complaints) and Engine (one complaint), with no crash or fire complaints reported. This marks a clear improvement in the generation’s safety and reliability trajectory, suggesting that a 2018 model is less likely to encounter major issues than earlier or later years. Overall, 2018 is a solid choice for a used M4 buyer looking for a vehicle with fewer reported problems.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
134
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
5
Owner complaints
0 involved a crash · 0 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Overall★★★★★
Frontal★★★★★
Side★★★★★
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 5 complaints on record, top 2 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System4
Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

17V507000Seat Belts:FrontReported 16/08/2017

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2018 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, and M4 convertible vehicles. The Emergency Locking Retractors (ELR) within the front seat belt assemblies may have been… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary replace, the front seat belt assemblies, free of charge. The recall began October 13, 2017. Owners may contact…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 134 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B0647252025-09-09Service BrakesProtection Plate Return
B3409212025-01-14Service BrakesA turbine-like noise can be heard from the rear axle while deceleration during the first…
B6113052024-01-11Electrical SystemThe electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process…
B3101242024-01-09SuspensionWith the vehicle is on a lift and the front struts are in the extended position, there…
B3407142023-10-13Service Brakes, HydraulicFunctional noises (squealing/honking) when braking shortly before the vehicle comes to a…

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 M4. 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

Does the 2018 M4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the M4 get?

EPA figures are 16 city / 22 highway / 19 combined mpg.