E87 · 2007–2011

BMW 123d E87 · 204 PS (2007–2011)

Arriving for model year 2008, the 123d draws 204 PS from a 2.0 litre with two turbochargers of different sizes. Servicing is that of the other N47s; the forced induction is specific to this engine.

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Technical specifications

Fuel
Diesel
Power
204 PS / 150 kW
Displacement
1 995 cm³
Torque
400 Nm
Cylinders
4
Engine code
N47S
Period covered
2007–2011
Documented market
Europe

Figures apply to the cited configuration and market; equipment and transmissions may vary by production date.

Specification source : [8] BMW Group [9] BMW Group

Manufacturer figures — manual gearbox

0–100 km/h acceleration
7.0 s
Combined consumption — period European cycle
5.2 l/100 km

Figures published at launch for the cited manual configuration. Consumption is a test-cycle measurement, not a real-world guarantee; automatic versions may differ. Source [9]

What distinguishes this version

N47S: the same aluminium 2.0 block, with Variable Twin Turbo and piezo injectors at up to 2,000 bar: 150 kW at 4,400 rpm and 400 Nm from 2,000 rpm. Five-door: 7.0 s to 100 km/h and 5.2 l/100 km according to BMW.

Source : [9] [8] [6]

Engine oil: quantity and approval

Oil change with filter: 5.2 l according to TIS data for the N47/N47S D20, as for the 118d and 120d. With a particulate filter, BMW requires Longlife-04 oil: its additives form less ash and keep the filter from clogging.

Source : [13] [7] [5]

What the CBS tracks

Oil: starting value 30,000 km, 24 months at most. Front and rear pads separately, brake fluid 24 months, vehicle check 60,000 km or 48 months. Microfilter at every oil service; air filter and main fuel filter at every third. The particulate filter is no longer on the CBS display: a Check Control message warns if it reaches a critical state.

Source : [3] [2] [4] [12] [11]

Timing drive

Chain-driven, with a tensioner piston, and the timing case cover sits at the rear of the engine, on the gearbox side. No chain item appears in the CBS list: it is a repair, not scheduled maintenance.

Source : [14] [15] [3]

The N47S timing chain reputation

The N47S in this 123d has a reputation for timing chain trouble: owners report many cases of metallic scraping and, sometimes, chain failure. In August 2013, BMW told AUTO BILD that the scraping noise of some 1.6 and 2.0-litre N47 engines built from 2007 to 2011 came from unfavourable tolerances and a manufacturing fault in the crankshaft sprocket; BMW called it an acoustic issue with no consequential damage expected. The issue has reached the courts in Germany: in a case about an N47-engined BMW X1 18d, the Darmstadt regional court (2015, upheld on appeal in 2017) ruled that chain noise without loss of function was a comfort issue, not a defect; the court’s expert noted that no link between the noise and chain failure had been established. In practice: a metallic scraping or whine from the gearbox end of the engine deserves a diagnosis straight away. Because the chain sits at the rear of the engine, replacing it is a major job: when buying used, ask whether it has already been replaced and keep the oil-service invoices.

Source : [16] [15] [17]

Prepare the next service

Say “123d / N47S” when booking and count oil services since the last fuel and air filters. Keep a record of any Check Control message about the particulate filter.

AutoKarnet advice

Maintenance and records

Engine oil — diesel

CBS: starting value 30,000 km / 24 months

Diesel starting value, recalculated by CBS from fuel consumption. Due 24 months after the last change at the latest.

Source [3]

Front and rear brake pads

Wear calculated per axle

Two separate countdowns fed by the wear sensors. With new pads, replace the wear sensor as well before resetting the display.

Source [2]

Cabin microfilter

At every engine oil service

Since March 2007 the microfilter is replaced at each oil service (cars with air conditioning) and no longer has its own CBS countdown.

Source [12]

Engine air filter

Every 3rd engine oil service

Intake silencer element. Shorten the interval in dusty regions.

Source [12]

Diesel fuel filter

Every 3rd engine oil service

Main fuel filter. BMW allows a shorter interval where diesel quality is poor.

Source [12]

Diesel particulate filter

No CBS display since 03/2007

On E87 cars with the N47 engine, the particulate filter was removed from the CBS display in March 2007. A critical state triggers a Check Control message: have it read out rather than waiting for the next service.

Source [11]

Brake fluid

Calendar-based

24 months

Counted from the vehicle’s on-board date, even at low mileage. That date stops when the battery is disconnected: correct it afterwards.

Source [4]

Vehicle check

Whichever comes first

60 000 km

48 months

A CBS item separate from the oil service; the diesel distance is longer than for petrol engines.

Source [4]

Questions about this version (5)

What does the 123d’s twin turbo mean?

Two turbochargers of different sizes: the small one responds from low revs, the large one takes over as revs rise.

Source : [9] [8]

Does it take more oil than a 118d?

No: TIS gives the same change quantity, 5.2 l with filter, for the 2.0 N47 and N47S.

Source : [13]

Is the five-door slower than the three-door?

By a tenth: 7.0 s to 100 km/h against 6.9 s for the three-door, according to BMW.

Source : [9]

Does it have stop-start?

Yes with the manual gearbox: BMW lists Auto Start Stop for the manual 123d.

Source : [9]

Does the automatic use more fuel?

BMW Austria’s 03/2008 price list gives 5.6 l/100 km for the automatic against 5.2 l for the manual.

Source : [10]

Documentary sources

  1. [1] BMW AG TIS — CBS E87, bulletin 00 01 04 (070)

    BMW AG (TIS, copie archivée) · EN · Worldwide · Archive · p. 1 · update 11/2006 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  2. [2] BMW AG TIS — calcul huile, microfiltre et freins

    BMW AG (TIS, copie archivée) · EN · Worldwide · Archive · p. 3 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  3. [3] BMW AG TIS — CBS, valeurs de départ EURO

    BMW AG (TIS, copie archivée) · EN · Europe · Archive · p. 4 · starting values, not fixed mileage intervals · Accessed 08/10/2026

  4. [4] BMW TIS — CBS: spark plugs, vehicle check, brake fluid

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · SBT CBS · p. 5 · EURO · update 11/2006 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  5. [5] BMW TIS — BMW Quality Longlife-04

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · SI 11 03 04 (156) · revision 09/2005 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  6. [6] BMW TIS — 1 Series E87, vehicle and engine index

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · Vehicle list (model / engine / body) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  7. [7] BMW Media Information 1/2007 — The new BMW 1 Series

    BMW Group · EN · Germany · PDF pp. 4–5 (five-door engines), p. 34–35 (five-door specifications, German market) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  8. [8] BMW EfficientDynamics now also for the 3 Series (model year 2008)

    BMW Group · EN · Europe · CO2 table “BMW 1 Series”; High Precision Injection section (116i 1.6) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  9. [9] BMW 123d: EfficientDynamics reach a new dimension

    BMW Group · EN · Europe · Engine and performance (5-door: 0–100 km/h in 7.0 s) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  10. [10] BMW Austria — Preisliste März 2008

    BMW Austria · DE · Austria · p. 3 · “BMW 1er Reihe 5-türig E87” · Accessed 08/10/2026

  11. [11] BMW TIS — Modifications to “Condition Based Service”

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Worldwide · SBT 00 04 06 (148) · 03/2007 · pp. 1–2 (E87 03/07; DPF display: E87/E81 N47 OL+UL 03/07) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  12. [12] BMW TIS — Oil service, diesel from 03/2007

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · RA 00 00 610 · from 03/2007 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  13. [13] BMW TIS — Oil Supply N47 / N47S D20

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · TD 11 40 · oil change volume with oil filter · Accessed 08/10/2026

  14. [14] BMW TIS — Chain tensioner piston (N47/N47S)

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · RA 11 31 · N47/N47S · Accessed 08/10/2026

  15. [15] BMW TIS — Timing case cover at rear (N47/N47S)

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · RA 11 14 · N47/N47S · Accessed 08/10/2026

  16. [16] LG Darmstadt, 30.01.2015, 27 O 100/13 (OLG Frankfurt a. M., 21.04.2017, 24 U 26/15) — BMW X1 sDrive18d N47, Steuerkette

    autokaufrecht.info (résumé de jugement) · DE · Germany · Gutachten; Entscheidungsgründe · Accessed 08/10/2026

  17. [17] BMW: Steuerkette schleift bei Vierzylinder-Dieseln

    AUTO BILD · DE · Germany · Statement by BMW to AUTO BILD on N47 diesels built 2007–2011 · Accessed 08/10/2026

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