F20/F21 · 2012–2015
The most economical version in the range, the 116d EfficientDynamics Edition arrived in March 2012. It has the 116d’s output but a smaller engine and a compulsory manual gearbox.
Figures apply to the cited configuration and market; equipment and transmissions may vary by production date.
Specification source : [2] BMW Group [3] BMW Group
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 [2]
1,598 cc four-cylinder diesel (engine code N47N in BMW’s parts catalogue): 85 kW at 4,000 rpm and 260 Nm from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm. Six-speed manual only. BMW quotes 10.5 s, 195 km/h, 3.8 l/100 km and 99 g/km CO2. Offered as a five-door from 03/2012 and as a three-door from the F21 launch.
Oil change: 5.2 l according to BMW’s specification sheet (“oil change quantity”), like every diesel in the range. BMW-approved oil: Longlife-04, in SAE 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 or 5W-30. If it is not available, BMW allows topping up with at most one litre of an ACEA C3 oil. No additives.
At every oil service: oil, oil filter and cabin microfilter. At every second oil service: diesel fuel filter (sooner with poor fuel) and air filter. Front pads, rear pads, brake fluid and the vehicle check each have their own due date, calculated by the car from how it is used. BMW’s handbook gives no mileage for the oil service and no period for the brake fluid: the remaining distance or time appears briefly each time the ignition is switched on, with details in the service menu (“Service required” or INFO › SERV, depending on equipment).
Chain-driven: BMW’s F20 parts catalogue splits the timing drive into a lower and an upper section, with chain, sprocket, guide rail, tensioner and oil spray nozzle. No scheduled replacement appears in the documents consulted: the chain is a repair item, not maintenance.
Source : [10]
Count oil services since the last fuel filter and air filter: both come round every second service. Give the service advisor the key the car was last driven with: BMW stores the maintenance need in it. If the battery was disconnected for a while, ask for the time-based items (brake fluid) to be updated.
Source : [12]
Due date calculated by CBS
The car calculates the due date from its operating conditions; BMW’s handbook sets no fixed mileage. Each oil service covers oil and filter, and it is the reference for the items below.
Source [12]At every oil service
On cars with air conditioning or automatic climate control, the microfilter is replaced at every oil service.
Source [12]Every 2nd oil service
Diesel engines: replaced at every second oil service; BMW asks for a shorter interval where fuel quality is poor.
Source [12]Every 2nd oil service
Intake silencer element, replaced at every second oil service; shorter interval in very dusty conditions.
Source [12]Own CBS due date
Pads replaced, pad slots cleaned, disc surface and thickness checked, then the display is reset.
Source [12]Own CBS due date
Same work as at the front, plus a parking brake check on a roller test bench.
Source [12]Calendar-based (CBS)
Counted in time, not kilometres. Periods with the battery disconnected are not counted: have the workshop update the time-based items. The handbook does not state the period.
Source [12]Own CBS due date
Lights, seat belts, wipers, tyres, coolant, brake lines, underbody, steering, mobility kit and a road test.
Source [12]Same output and torque, but a 1,598 cc 1.6 instead of the 1,995 cc 2.0, no automatic, and 3.8 l/100 km instead of 4.3 l.
The five-door specification sheet is valid from 03/2012; the three-door offered it from its launch.
The fault BMW acknowledged to AUTO BILD in August 2013 concerns N47 diesels built from 2007 to 2011; BMW blamed unfavourable tolerances and a manufacturing fault in the crankshaft sprocket, and called it an acoustic issue. The article does not mention the F20, built from September 2011. A grinding noise from the timing drive still deserves a diagnosis.
At every second oil service, together with the air filter, according to BMW’s F20/F21 handbook; sooner with poor-quality diesel. The microfilter is changed at every oil service.
Source : [12]
BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · PDF pp. 2–4 (model versions), p. 12 (diesel engines), pp. 18–21 (specifications, five-door) · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · Valid from 3/2012 · five-door · pp. 1–2 · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · PDF pp. 2–7 (summary, model variants), technical specifications from p. 22 · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW Group · EN · Europe · Whole release: new four-cylinder diesels for the 5 Series; transmission and navigation updates for the 1 Series · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · PDF pp. 2–8 (summary: lights, M135i 240 kW), pp. 22–24 (“five new diesel engines”) · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW Austria · DE · Austria · “Neuer BMW 1er 3-türig (F21)” and “BMW 1er 5-türig (F20)” · kW/PS, l/100 km, CO2, EU class · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW AG (copy hosted by a third party) · EN · Europe · Part no. 01 40 2 900 802 · English II/12 · models 116i–125d · p. 28 (remote control), pp. 74–75 (service requirements, service history) · Accessed 08/10/2026
bmwfans.info (copy of the BMW ETK parts catalogue) · EN · Europe · Model list (model – engine), production years 2010–2015 · Accessed 08/10/2026
bmwfans.info (copy of the BMW ETK parts catalogue) · EN · Europe · Model list (model – engine) · Accessed 08/10/2026
bmwfans.info (copy of the BMW ETK parts catalogue) · EN · Europe · Group 11 · chain, sprocket, guide rail, chain tensioner, oil spray nozzle; same groups listed for 114d, 116d ED, 118d, 120d · Accessed 08/10/2026
AUTO BILD · DE · Germany · Statement by BMW to AUTO BILD on N47 diesels built 2007–2011 · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW AG (copy hosted by kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Germany · deutsch X/14 · p. 71 (Servicebedarf) · pp. 166–169 (Motoröl, freigegebene Motorölsorten) · pp. 172–174 (Wartung: CBS, Übersicht Wartungsumfänge) · Accessed 08/10/2026