Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2021 M4.
The 2021 BMW M4 is equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission (S8) and carries EPA fuel-economy ratings of 16/23/19 mpg, positioning it as a specific iteration within the model line. Reliability data shows minimal friction, with only one owner complaint logged for service brakes and two recalls issued against the model year. Within the broader 2014–2022 complaint history—where owner reports peaked at 21 for the 2016 model year and hit their lowest at one for 2020—the 2021 edition matches that minimum, marking it as a notably stable point in the vehicle’s production run for researchers tracking long-term durability.
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 OE oil filter 11428469100. 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 | 11428469100 alt 11428092620 |
| Engine air filter | 13718095805 alt 13718095807 |
| Spark plug | 12125A4EF60 |
| Battery | 61217908325 |
| Front wiper blades | 61619478361 |
| Thermostat | 11538632664 alt 11537586885 |
| Cabin air filter | 64119382886 alt 64119382885 |
Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.
| Transmission | Automatic (S8) |
| Overall length | 187.8 in |
| Overall width | 72.8 in |
| Overall height | 54.3 in |
| Wheelbase | 112.2 in |
| Curb weight | 4171 lb |
| Track (front / rear) | 62.2 / 62.6 in |
| EPA city / highway / combined | 16 / 23 / 19 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 M4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-6 | 3.80 sec | 12.00 sec | 473 hp | RWD |
| 2021 | Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-6 | 4.20 sec | 12.40 sec | 473 hp | RWD |
| 2022 | Competition xDrive Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-6 | 2.80 sec | 11.00 sec | 503 hp | AWD |
| 2023 | CSL Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-6 | 3.20 sec | 11.10 sec | 543 hp | RWD |
| 2023 | CSL Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-6 | 3.30 sec | 11.20 sec | 543 hp | RWD |
| 2025 | CS Coupe 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-6 | 3.00 sec | 11.10 sec | 543 hp | AWD |
| 2025 | Competition xDrive Convertible 3.0L Twin-Turbo I-6 | 3.20 sec | 11.30 sec | 523 hp | AWD |
Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.
This engine DOT 4 brake fluid. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4.
| Brake Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Clutch Fluid | DOT 4 |
| Power Steering Fluid | ATF |
| Cylinder Head Instructions | Only use new bolts. |
| Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs | 14.0 ft-lbs |
| Cylinder Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Refrigerant | R1234yf |
| Oil Group | PAG |
| Oil Type | 46YF |
| 1 | Bolts 1-14 | 37 ft. lbs |
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 2021 BMW M4 sits in the mature, low-complaint tail of this generation's federal record, with just 1 complaint (related to Service Brakes), 2 recalls, and 72 TSBs — figures that closely mirror 2020 (1 complaint, 2 recalls, 47 TSBs) and remain well below the early-generation peaks of 2015–2016, when complaints hit 12 and 21 respectively and TSBs surged to 249 and 228. The generation's overall arc shows a front-loaded problem period in 2015–2016 followed by a steady decline in both complaints and recalls through 2019, with 2020–2021 settling into a stable, low-volume plateau. Notably, recalls dropped to zero in 2022, suggesting BMW had largely resolved outstanding safety actions by then, though the data doesn't specify root causes for any of the 2021 recalls. The modest uptick in TSBs from 47 to 72 between 2020 and 2021 indicates BMW was still issuing technical service guidance, but at a fraction of mid-generation levels. With zero crash or fire complaints and only a single brake-related grievance on record, 2021 represents a low-risk point in the generation's lifecycle — making it a solid year to buy, provided the two recalls have been completed on the specific unit.
All 1 complaints on record, top 1 components.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.
Showing 2 of 2 campaigns on record for this vehicle.
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2021 2 Series (230i, 230i xDrive, M240i, M240i xDrive), 330e, 330e Xdrive, 4 Series Coupe (430i, 430i xDrive, M440i xDrive) M4 Coupe, M4 Competition Coupe, BMW 4… Remedy: Dealers will inspect the seat belt retractors (including the seat belts) and, if necessary, replace the retractors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on…
BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain 2020-2021 8 Series Coupe, Grand Coupe and convertible 840i, 840i xDrive, M850i xDrive, M8 and 740 Li, 740 Li xDrive, 750 Li xDrive, M760 Li xDrive, X6 sDrive40i, X6… Remedy: BMW will notify owners, and dealers will replace the integrated brake system, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on May 25, 2021. Owners may contact BMW…
Showing 5 of 72 bulletins on record with NHTSA.
| Bulletin | Date | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| B410725 | 2026-01-07 | Structure | While driving on a smooth and/or unevenroad, a “cracking” sound is heard from therear… |
| B410725 | 2025-08-20 | Structure | While driving on a smooth and/or uneven road, a “cracking” sound is heard from the rear… |
| B640422 | 2024-02-16 | Electrical System | An interference noise (groaning noise) can be heard from within the heating and… |
| B611305 | 2024-01-11 | Electrical System | The electrical system of BMW vehicles has been subject to an ongoing development process… |
| B310124 | 2024-01-09 | Suspension | With the vehicle is on a lift and the front struts are in the extended position, there… |
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.
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.
EPA figures are 16 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.