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BMW 1 Series F20/F21 LCI (2015–2019)
Presented by BMW in January 2015, the facelift brought three- and four-cylinder engines from BMW’s new engine generation, followed by a second update in July 2017 with a reworked dashboard. Three- and five-door cars share engines and servicing: pick your version by the kW on the registration document and the build month. Figures come from BMW documents and ADAC; anything we could not verify is left out.
Choose an engine
Facelift or not: how to tell
From the 2015 facelift the F20/F21 has flatter headlights with standard LED daytime running lights (full LED optional), a redesigned kidney grille, larger air intakes and two-piece L-shaped LED rear lights. Inside, the radio and climate controls were redesigned. From July 2017 BMW reworked the instrument panel (black-panel cluster, high-gloss centre stack, chrome-trimmed window switches, cupholder cover) and fitted the latest iDrive, with an 8.8-inch touchscreen when Navigation Professional is fitted. ADAC splits the range into 03/2015–06/2017 and 07/2017–06/2019.
Engine line-up and engine codes
Petrol: 116i 80 kW B38 (2015–2019); 118i 100 kW, first the N13 four-cylinder (03–05/2015), then the B38 three-cylinder (from 07/2015); 120i 130 kW N13 (2015–2016), then 135 kW B48 (from 07/2016); 125i 160 kW N20 (2015–2016), then 165 kW B48, automatic only (from 07/2016); M135i 240 kW N55 (2015–2016), replaced by the M140i 250 kW B58 (from 07/2016). Diesel: 116d and 116d EfficientDynamics Edition 85 kW B37 three-cylinder (the ED until 06/2017); 118d 110 kW, 120d 140 kW and 125d 165 kW, all B47 (2015–2019). xDrive: 118d (manual only), 120d, M135i then M140i (automatics). Codes: BMW parts catalogue (B38, N13, N20, N55, B37, B47) and ADAC (B48B20A for the 120i, B48B20B for the 125i, B58B30A). According to ADAC the 07/2017 update kept the same engines; emissions standards move to WLTP from 03/2018 (diesel) and 07/2018 (petrol). BMW’s parts catalogue also lists a 114d for some European markets: without BMW figures for it, we do not cover it.
What changed for maintenance
Oil change quantities according to BMW: 4.25 l (B38), 4.2 l (N13), 5.25 l (B48), 5.0 l (N20), 6.5 l (N55 and B58), 4.4 l (B37), 5.0 l (B47). The diesels drop below the 5.2 l of the pre-facelift N47 engines. On the new B38, B48 and B58 petrol engines the timing chain sits on the transmission side (BMW training documents). Approvals: the 2019 chart of Original BMW oils published by a BMW dealer lists Longlife-04, Longlife-12 FE and Longlife-17 FE+ for the modular engines and the N20, and Longlife-04 and Longlife-12 FE for the N13, the N55 and the diesels; the handbook remains the reference. We found no BMW document with numbered service intervals for this phase: the car calculates them. Ask for a printout of the due items and do not reuse the E87 intervals.
Recalls to check
ADAC lists for this generation: a BMW recall of October 2025 for cars built 09/2015–09/2021 (starter relay insufficiently protected against water, fire risk, starter replaced); a recall of September 2024 for cars built 01/2016–12/2017 (driver airbag gas generator, airbag replaced); a recall of July 2019 for four- and six-cylinder diesels built 01/2010–12/2017 (EGR module checked, faulty parts replaced). Have BMW check your VIN.