F20/F21 · 2011–2015

BMW 118d F20/F21 · 143 PS (2011–2015)

The core diesel of the range from the 2011 launch, the 118d keeps 105 kW but gains torque. It received xDrive all-wheel drive in summer 2013, in three- and five-door form.

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Technical specifications

Fuel
Diesel
Power
143 PS / 105 kW
Displacement
1 995 cm³
Torque
320 Nm
Cylinders
4
Engine code
N47N
Period covered
2011–2015
Documented market
Europe

Transmission

  • Manual · 6 speeds · 2011
  • Automatic · 8 speeds · 2011

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

Specification source : [1] BMW Group [2] BMW Group [3] BMW Group

Manufacturer figures — manual gearbox

0–100 km/h acceleration
8.9 s
Combined consumption — period European cycle
4.4 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 [1]

What distinguishes this version

1,995 cc four-cylinder diesel (engine code N47N in BMW’s parts catalogue), variable-geometry turbo, 1,600 bar injection: 105 kW at 4,000 rpm and 320 Nm from 1,750 to 2,500 rpm. Six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic. BMW quotes 8.9 s, 212 km/h and 4.4 l/100 km for the manual.

Source : [1] [9] [4]

Engine oil: quantity and approval

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.

Source : [1] [3] [13]

What the CBS display shows

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).

Source : [13] [8]

Timing drive

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 : [11]

Prepare the next service

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 : [13]

Maintenance and records

Engine oil and oil filter

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 [13]

Cabin microfilter

At every oil service

On cars with air conditioning or automatic climate control, the microfilter is replaced at every oil service.

Source [13]

Diesel fuel filter

Every 2nd oil service

Diesel engines: replaced at every second oil service; BMW asks for a shorter interval where fuel quality is poor.

Source [13]

Engine air filter

Every 2nd oil service

Intake silencer element, replaced at every second oil service; shorter interval in very dusty conditions.

Source [13]

Front brakes

Own CBS due date

Pads replaced, pad slots cleaned, disc surface and thickness checked, then the display is reset.

Source [13]

Rear brakes

Own CBS due date

Same work as at the front, plus a parking brake check on a roller test bench.

Source [13]

Brake fluid

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 [13]

Vehicle check

Own CBS due date

Lights, seat belts, wipers, tyres, coolant, brake lines, underbody, steering, mobility kit and a road test.

Source [13]

Questions about this version (5)

Is there an xDrive version?

Yes, from summer 2013, as a three- and five-door, with the same 105 kW engine according to BMW.

Source : [4]

Is the automatic quicker?

BMW’s sheets disagree: 8.9 s, like the manual, on the 2011 five-door sheet; 8.6 s on the 2012 three-door sheet. Consumption: 4.4 l/100 km either way.

Source : [2] [3]

What is its engine code?

N47N in BMW’s parts catalogue, like the 114d, 116d and 120d.

Source : [9]

Is my car affected by the N47 timing chain noise?

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.

Source : [12] [9]

When is the fuel filter due?

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 : [13]

Documentary sources

  1. [1] BMW Media information 6/2011 — The new BMW 1 Series

    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

  2. [2] BMW Specifications 7/2011 — The new BMW 1 Series 116d, 118d, 120d

    BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · Valid from 9/2011 · five-door · pp. 1–2 (performance rows printed one line out of step) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  3. [3] BMW Specifications 7/2012 — BMW 1 Series 3 Door Hatch 116d, 118d, 125d

    BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · Valid from 7/2012 · three-door · pp. 1–2 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  4. [4] BMW model upgrade measures taking effect from the summer of 2013

    BMW Group · EN · Europe · Section “Intelligent four-wheel drive concept xDrive for further models” (118d xDrive) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  5. [5] BMW model upgrade measures from the summer of 2014

    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

  6. [6] BMW Media information 01/2015 — The new BMW 1 Series model range

    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

  7. [7] BMW Austria — Modellpreisliste Jänner 2013

    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

  8. [8] BMW Owner’s Handbook — The BMW 1 Series (online edition, excerpt)

    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

  9. [9] BMW parts catalogue (ETK) — BMW 1 Series F20 5-door, Europe: models and engines

    bmwfans.info (copy of the BMW ETK parts catalogue) · EN · Europe · Model list (model – engine), production years 2010–2015 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  10. [10] BMW parts catalogue (ETK) — BMW 1 Series F21 3-door, Europe: models and engines

    bmwfans.info (copy of the BMW ETK parts catalogue) · EN · Europe · Model list (model – engine) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  11. [11] BMW parts catalogue (ETK) — F20 116d N47N: timing chain, lower part

    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

  12. [12] 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

  13. [13] BMW Betriebsanleitung — Der BMW 1er (Online-Version für Sach-Nr. 01 40 2 956 470)

    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

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