BMWM42020Overview/bmw/m4/2020/base/

2020 BMW M4

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2020 M4.

Transmission Automatic (AM-S7)

The 2020 BMW M4 carries a seven-speed automatic transmission and returns EPA figures of 16 mpg city, 22 highway, and 19 combined—numbers consistent with the performance focus the nameplate implies. Owner feedback places this model year at the quietest point in the M4's 2014–2022 complaint history, with just a single complaint on record spanning suspension and engine areas, well below the 2016 peak of 21; two recalls also apply. That makes the 2020 statistically the most reliable year in the generation's tracked span, though the recalls mean it warrants the usual checks rather than a blanket assumption of trouble-free ownership.

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 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.

Tail / brake / turnREVERSEOEM · verified
Tire size255/35ZR19/XL 96Y, Rear: 285/30ZR20/XL 99YOEM · verified
Wheel / rim9; Rear: 10 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
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
2017Competition Package Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-64.00 sec12.10 sec444 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.

Torque lug nuts to 103 ft-lbs.

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts103 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.19-1.23 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier Torque21.0 ft-lbs
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 81.0 ft-lbs
ABS Sensor TorqueFront: 6.0; Rear: 6.0
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementFront: 1.118; Rear: .882

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.

Across this M4 generation, federal complaints peaked early at 21 in 2016 before dropping significantly, while recalls generally declined from three per year between 2015 and 2017 down to one in 2019. The 2020 model year sits at the mature, tail end of this downward arc, registering just 1 complaint and 2 recalls, which implies the early-production kinks had largely been resolved by this point. The sole 2020 complaint involves suspension and engine concerns, though the data does not specify a root cause, and there are zero associated crash or fire incidents. Additionally, technical service bulletins remained low at 47, a stark contrast to the 249 issued for the troubled 2015 model year. Positioned firmly within the generation's most stable period, the 2020 M4 is an excellent used buy that offers the reliability benefits of late-generation refinements.

2
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
47
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
1
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 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.

Suspension,Engine1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

19V352000Air Bags:Knee BolsterReported 09/05/2019

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2019-2020 230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive, M2 Competition Coupe, 430i, 430i xDrive, 440i, 440i xDrive, M4, and 2019 330i xDrive Sportswagon vehicles. The… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the knee air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 8, 2019. Owners may contact BMW customer service at 1-800-525-7417.

20V666000Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection SystemReported 29/10/2020

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 M2 Coupe and 2020 M4 Coupe vehicles. Fuel injectors may have been installed without a damping component which is used to reduce vibration. If a damping… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel injectors and if a damping component is missing, the injectors and the fuel rail will be replaced, free of charge. The…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 47 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
B4107252026-01-07StructureWhile driving on a smooth and/or unevenroad, a “cracking” sound is heard from therear…
B4107252025-08-20StructureWhile driving on a smooth and/or uneven road, a “cracking” sound is heard from the rear…
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…

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 2020 M4 have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 2 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.