MiniCooper2016Overview/mini/cooper/2016/base/

2016 Mini Cooper

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2016 Cooper.

Body PASSENGER CARTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2016 Mini Cooper arrives as a passenger car fitted with a six-speed automatic transmission and EPA ratings of 25 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 28 mpg combined. Reliability records show 18 owner complaints and one recall for this model year, with grievances concentrated in the electrical system and engine categories. Against the broader 2001-2026 timeline—spanning the 843 complaints logged in 2005 down to the single complaint filed in 2024—the 2016 model sits near the lower end of the complaint spectrum, marking it as a relatively quiet year in the nameplate’s documented history.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182016

Quick specs

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

EPA fuel economy25/33/28 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 size175/65R15OEM · verified
Wheel / rim5.5 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter11427622446
Engine air filter13717568728 alt 13717561235
Spark plug12122293697 alt 12122158165
Battery61217575326 alt 61217571896
Front wiper blades61615A87CC6
Thermostat11518613803 alt 11518613804
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 / combined25 / 33 / 28 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.

5.8–8.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 5.80 sec — 2016 Hardtop John Cooper Works 2-door Hatchback
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2016Hardtop John Cooper Works 2-door Hatchback 2.0L Turbo I-45.80 sec14.20 sec228 hpFWD
2016S Convertible 2.0L Turbo I-46.20 sec14.70 sec189 hpFWD
2016S Convertible 2.0L Turbo I-46.30 sec14.80 sec189 hpFWD
2016Clubman S 2.0L Turbo I-46.60 sec15.20 sec189 hpFWD
2016Clubman S 2.0L Turbo I-47.00 sec15.50 sec189 hpFWD
2016Convertible 1.5L Turbo I-37.50 sec16.00 sec134 hpFWD
2016Clubman 1.5L Turbo I-38.00 sec16.30 sec134 hpFWD
2016Clubman 1.5L Turbo I-38.00 sec16.40 sec134 hpFWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine 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

Automatic Transmission FluidATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity6.3
Brake FluidDOT 4
Clutch FluidDOT 4
Power Steering FluidPentosin CHF11S

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 HubUse new nut and tighten to 134.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel HubUse new nut and tighten to 134.0 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
Refrigerant Capacity1.05-1.10 lbs
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; Rear: 22-
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 81; Rear: 74 Use; Front: 84; Rear: 74
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.145; Rear: 0.145 pads
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness for ReplacementStamped on rotor
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishStamped on rotor

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 1 stages
122.0 ft. lbs. Step 2: 90 degrees Step 3: 18022 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 7 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts lightly with specified motor oil.

1M10 Bolts22 ft. lbs
2M10 Bolts90 degrees
3M10 Bolts90 degrees
4M8X95 Bolts11 ft. lbs
5M8X95 Bolts90 degrees
6M8X95 Bolts90 degrees
7M8X35 Bolts22 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

Prep Do not reuse old bolts. Coat new bolts lightly with specified motor oil.

122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
266.0 ft. lbs.66 ft. lbs
3180 degrees180 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.

The federal record for this Mini Cooper platform illustrates a dramatic downward trend in complaints from the previous generation's peak of 843 in 2005, transitioning into the current generation where complaints dropped from 55 in 2015 to just 18 in 2017. While the specific 2016 baseline metrics are absent from the year-by-year data, the target year sits at the front end of this current generation's declining arc, a phase that typically carries early-production growing pains. Specific 2016 data reveals 4 fire complaints and clusters of issues within the electrical system and engine, with 2 complaints each, though the data does not specify the root causes of these failures. Positioned between the elevated 2015 metrics of 6 recalls and 395 TSBs and the much calmer 2017 figures, the 2016 model represents a transitional but still vulnerable period. Therefore, the 2016 Mini Cooper is a somewhat risky purchase; buyers should mandate a thorough pre-purchase inspection specifically focused on the engine and electrical systems to mitigate the documented fire risks.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
35
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
18
Owner complaints
1 involved a crash · 4 a fire

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 18 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Electrical System,Engine2
Electrical System2
Air Bags2
Engine2
Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System1
Steering,Power Train,Structure1
Power Train,Unknown Or Other1
Electrical System,Exterior Lighting,Unknown Or Other1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 35 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
M0104242024-08-12Power TrainFor the eligible vehicles listed above, the limited warranty for the vehicle’s Selector…
M6401162024-01-19StructureCustomer complains of a musty odor or damp front footwell carpet.
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…
M3601192021-12-01EquipmentNew RDC wheel electronics will be introduced with future generation MINI models. The new…

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

Does the 2016 Cooper have open recalls?

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

What gas mileage does the Cooper get?

EPA figures are 25 city / 33 highway / 28 combined mpg.