F20/F21 · 2015–2019

BMW 116d F20/F21 · 116 PS (2015–2019)

With the facelift the 116d switched to a 1.5 three-cylinder diesel: 85 kW as before, but 270 Nm. It was sold until 2019, manual or automatic, with three or five doors.

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Technical specifications

Fuel
Diesel
Power
116 PS / 85 kW
Displacement
1 496 cm³
Torque
270 Nm
Cylinders
3
Engine code
B37
Period covered
2015–2019
Documented market
Europe

Transmission

  • Manual · 6 speeds · 2015
  • Automatic · 8 speeds · 2015

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

Specification source : [2] BMW Group [3] BMW Group [4] BMW Group

Manufacturer figures — manual gearbox

0–100 km/h acceleration
10.3 s
Combined consumption — period European cycle
3.7 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 [2]

What distinguishes this version

1,496 cc three-cylinder diesel (B37 in BMW’s parts catalogue, B37D15A at ADAC): 85 kW at 4,000 rpm and 270 Nm from 1,750 to 2,250 rpm. Six-speed manual or eight-speed Steptronic. BMW’s January 2015 table: 10.3 s, 200 km/h, 3.7 l/100 km (automatic 3.6) on standard tyres.

Source : [2] [3] [9] [5] [6]

Engine oil: quantity and approval

Oil change: 4.4 l, the same figure in BMW’s January 2015 and July 2017 specification tables (oil change quantity). Approval: the 2019 chart of Original BMW engine oils published by a BMW dealer lists, for diesel engines from model year 2014, BMW Longlife-04 (SAE 5W-30 or 0W-30) and Longlife-12 FE (0W-30). The chart refers to the owner’s handbook for the binding approval and quantity.

Source : [2] [4] [8]

Timing drive

Chain (ADAC: “Steuerkette”). BMW’s parts catalogue splits the timing drive into a lower and an upper part, with chain, sprocket, tensioner, guide rail and oil spray nozzle. No scheduled replacement in the documents consulted: the chain is a repair item, not maintenance.

Source : [9] [7]

Prepare the next service

Before the appointment, note 4.4 l of oil at the change and the approval printed in your handbook. Also note the build month (registration document or VIN plate): it decides which recalls can apply. ADAC lists a BMW recall of October 2025 for cars built 09/2015–09/2021: water can get into the starter relay, with a fire risk; remedy: new starter. Another, of September 2024, covers cars built 01/2016–12/2017: driver airbag gas generator, airbag replaced. Have BMW or the workshop check your VIN. We found no BMW document giving numbered service values for this phase: ask the workshop to print the due items the car displays (oil, brakes, brake fluid, vehicle check), and do not carry over the intervals BMW published for the E87.

Source : [2] [4] [9]

Maintenance and records

Questions about this version (5)

What changed from the pre-2015 116d?

The engine: a 1,496 cc three-cylinder with 270 Nm instead of a 1,995 cc four-cylinder with 260 Nm, for the same 85 kW. The oil quantity drops from 5.2 l to 4.4 l in BMW’s tables.

Source : [2] [1]

116d or 116d EfficientDynamics Edition?

Same B37D15A engine according to ADAC, same 85 kW and 270 Nm. The EfficientDynamics Edition is manual only, tops out at 195 km/h instead of 200 and uses 3.4 l/100 km against 3.7 l according to BMW.

Source : [2] [9] [11]

Does the 2019 EGR recall concern the 116d?

ADAC shows the July 2019 BMW recall on the 116d page, but that recall covers four- and six-cylinder diesels; the three-cylinder is not named. Have BMW check your VIN rather than going by the page.

Source : [9]

Which emissions standard?

ADAC lists Euro 6b (NEDC) for cars up to 02/2018 and Euro 6c (WLTP) for the version sold from 03/2018. Your registration document gives yours.

Source : [9] [10]

Chain or belt?

Chain: ADAC lists a timing chain, and BMW’s parts catalogue for the B37 116d lists the chain, camshaft sprocket, tensioner, guide rail and oil spray nozzle.

Source : [9] [7]

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 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

  3. [3] BMW Media information 05/2017 — The new BMW 1 Series

    BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · pp. 1–2 (launch July 2017, interior), pp. 4–5 (engines, gearboxes, xDrive) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  4. [4] BMW Specifications 5/2017 — The BMW 1 Series 3-door and 5-door

    BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · Valid from 7/2017 · three-door: 116i pp. 1–2, 118i pp. 3–4, 120i/125i pp. 5–6, M140i pp. 7–10, 116d pp. 11–12, 118d pp. 13–14, 120d pp. 15–16, 125d pp. 17–18; five-door from p. 19 · “oil change volume” · Accessed 08/10/2026

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

    bmwfans.info (copy of the BMW ETK parts catalogue) · EN · Europe · Model list (model – engine), F20N · Accessed 08/10/2026

  6. [6] BMW parts catalogue (ETK) — BMW 1 Series F21 LCI 3-door, Europe: models and engines

    bmwfans.info (copy of the BMW ETK parts catalogue) · EN · Europe · Model list (model – engine), F21N · Accessed 08/10/2026

  7. [7] BMW parts catalogue (ETK) — F20 LCI 116d B37: timing chain, lower part

    bmwfans.info (copy of the BMW ETK parts catalogue) · EN · Europe · Group 11 · timing chain, camshaft sprocket, chain tensioner, guide rail, oil spray nozzle · Accessed 08/10/2026

  8. [8] Original BMW und MINI Motorenöle — Produkt-Portfolio und Motorenanwendung

    BMW Autohaus Faba (authorised BMW dealer) · DE · Germany · One-page chart, November 2019 · rows: modular (“Baukasten”) and N20 petrol engines from MY 2014; petrol engines from MY 2002; diesel engines from MY 2014 · binding approval: owner’s handbook · Accessed 08/10/2026

  9. [9] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 116d M Sport (5-Türer) (03/15 – 06/17)

    ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Hubraum, Modellstart/Modellende, Schadstoffklasse, Nockenwellensteuerung · Rückrufe · Accessed 08/10/2026

  10. [10] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 116d Steptronic (5-Türer) (03/18 – 06/19)

    ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Hubraum, Modellstart/Modellende, Schadstoffklasse, Nockenwellensteuerung · Rückrufe · Accessed 08/10/2026

  11. [11] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 116d ED Advantage (3-Türer) (03/15 – 06/17)

    ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Hubraum, Modellstart/Modellende, Schadstoffklasse, Nockenwellensteuerung · Rückrufe · Accessed 08/10/2026

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