MiniCooper2015Overview/mini/cooper/2015/base/

2015 Mini Cooper

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2015 Cooper.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2015 Mini Cooper is a passenger car fitted with an automatic six-speed transmission, and routine oil service calls for 4.5 quarts of 0W-40, 0W-30, or 5W-30 viscosity oil. EPA ratings come in at 27 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 31 mpg combined. Across the model's complaint history from 2001 through 2026, the 2015 model registers 55 owner complaints and six recalls, with the fuel/propulsion system cited most often—well below the 2005 peak of 843 complaints and above the 2024 low of one, marking it as a moderate year rather than a high- or low-water mark for the line.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182015

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity4.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type0W-40 / 0W-30 / 5W-30OEM · verified
EPA fuel economy27/36/31 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

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

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI NS · NS CCA battery, OE oil filter 11427622446. 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 NS · NS CCAOEM · verified
Tire size175/60R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim6.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11427622446
Engine air filter13717561235 alt 13717568728
Spark plug12122293697 alt 12122158165
Battery61217575326 alt 61217571896
Front wiper blades61615A87CC6
Thermostat11518613804 alt 11518613803
Cabin air filter64319127516

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length151.2 in
Overall width68.1 in
Overall height55.5 in
Wheelbase98.4 in
Curb weight2606 lb
Track (front / rear)59.1 / 59.1 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)61/39

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined27 / 36 / 31 mpg
DrivetrainFront-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 Cooper of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.0–6.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.00 sec — 2015 Hardtop John Cooper Works 2-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2015Hardtop John Cooper Works 2-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-46.00 sec14.30 sec228 hpFWD
2015Hardtop S 4-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.80 sec189 hpFWD
2015Hardtop S 4-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-46.60 sec14.90 sec189 hpFWD
2014Hardtop S 2-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-46.10 sec14.70 sec189 hpFWD
2014Hardtop S 2-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.70 sec189 hpFWD
2014Hardtop S 2-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-46.40 sec14.90 sec189 hpFWD
2014Hardtop S 2-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-46.60 sec15.10 sec189 hpFWD
2014Hardtop S 2-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-46.80 sec15.10 sec189 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 4.5 qt of 0W-40 / 0W-30 / 5W-30 engine oil, Castrol SAF-XO in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 18.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-2. 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.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 4
Differential Gear OilCastrol SAF-XO
Differential Gear Oil Capacity0.8 qt
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity6.0-8.0
Engine CoolantEthylene Glycol
Engine Coolant Capacity6.0-6.5

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs9 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts18.4
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts7.3
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0-22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug23.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Front Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub134 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-3-2
Spark Plug ManufacturerBMW
Spark Plug GapNot adjustable in
Spark Plug Torque14.8-19.2 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Standard BCI Group Number47-680
Standard BCI Group Number140R
Standard BCI Cranking Performance480 cca

Service checks

Pressure Test22 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief18-22 psi

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 26; Rear: 103 /; Front: 26 Replace; Front: 26
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 81; Rear: 74 Use; Front: 81 Replace; Front: 84
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
14 ft. lbs., Step 2: 11 ft. lbs., Step 3: 1304 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
290 degrees90 degrees
390 degrees90 degrees
Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
16 ft. lbs., Step 2: 22 ft. lbs., Step 3: 906 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
137 ft. lbs., Step 2: 15037 ft. lbs

Reliability & federal safety record

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

From 2001 to 2010 the Mini Cooper complaint count fell from a high of 843 in 2005 to 102 in 2010, indicating a general improvement trend. In 2015 complaints rose to 55, still well below the 2005 peak but above the 2010 low, while recalls jumped to 6—more than double the 3 recalls in 2010 and higher than the 3 recalls in 2017. Investigations remained modest at 2 in 2015, comparable to the 1 in 2010 and 0 in 2017. Technical service bulletins spiked to 395 in 2015, far exceeding the 152 in 2010 and the 124‑122 range seen in 2007‑2008, then declined in later years. Because the 2015 model shows a recall and TSB elevation relative to the surrounding years, a buyer should verify that all recall repairs have been performed and review service history before purchase.

6
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
395
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
55
Owner complaints
3 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 55 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System8
Engine7
Power Train6
Electrical System6
Suspension3
Service Brakes3
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System2
Visibility2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 6 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

15V034000Equipment:Other:LabelsReported 26/01/2015

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2014-2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop two door vehicles manufactured December 1, 2013, to December 14, 2014. The affected vehicles may have been manufactured with… Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will replace the incorrect labels with corrected labels, free of charge. Owners were mailed interim notification on March 18, 2015. The recall…

14V721000SeatsReported 10/11/2014

BMW of North America, LLC (BMW) is recalling certain model year 2015 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2 Door vehicles manufactured August 12, 2014, to September 2, 2014. In the affected vehicles, the driver and front passenger… Remedy: MINI will notify owners, and dealers will re-align and re-tighten the seatback adjustment mechanisms, free of charge. The recall began December 29, 2014. Owners can contact MINI…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 395 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
M0104242025-07-30Power TrainThe automatic transmission limited warranty for the vehicle Selector Lever Magnetic Shift…
M0104242024-08-12Power TrainFor the eligible vehicles listed above, the limited warranty for the vehicle’s Selector…
M5116162023-11-02StructureCavity protection applied to underside of the hood is leaking out onto the wheel arch…
M6106072023-10-25Electrical SystemMINI electrical systems have continued to develop over the past few years. As a result…
M5401232023-08-01Structure?The panoramic roof sunblind does not close, or jams while closing.

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 Cooper. 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

How much oil does the 2015 Cooper take?

4.5 qt of BMW rated LL-01 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-30, 5W-40, per the factory manual.

Does the 2015 Cooper have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 6 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Cooper get?

EPA figures are 27 city / 36 highway / 31 combined mpg.