F20/F21 · 2015–2016

BMW 120i F20/F21 · 177 PS (2015–2016)

The first facelifted 120i uses the 1.6 N13 four-cylinder at 130 kW. In July 2016 BMW replaced it with a new-generation 2.0 four-cylinder of 135 kW.

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Technical specifications

Fuel
Petrol
Power
177 PS / 130 kW
Displacement
1 598 cm³
Torque
250 Nm
Cylinders
4
Engine code
N13
Period covered
2015–2016
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 [4] BMW Group [5] BMW Group

Manufacturer figures — manual gearbox

0–100 km/h acceleration
7.4 s
Combined consumption — period European cycle
5.7 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

1,598 cc four-cylinder turbo petrol (N13 in BMW’s parts catalogue, N13B16A at ADAC): 130 kW at 4,800–6,450 rpm and 250 Nm from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm, six-speed manual or eight-speed Steptronic, three or five doors. BMW’s January 2015 table: 7.4 s (automatic 7.2 s), 225 km/h (222), 5.7 l/100 km. ADAC lists it from 03/2015 to 05/2016.

Source : [2] [9] [6] [7]

Engine oil: quantity and approval

Oil change: 4.2 l according to BMW’s January 2015 specification table (“oil change” quantity). The N13 has no permanent oil level monitoring: the level is checked with the dipstick, BMW’s training document states. Approval: the 2019 chart of Original BMW engine oils published by a BMW dealer lists, for other petrol engines from model year 2002, BMW Longlife-04 (SAE 5W-30 or 0W-30) and Longlife-12 FE (0W-30); Longlife-17 FE+ appears only for the modular engines and the N20. The chart refers to the owner’s handbook for the binding approval.

Source : [2] [8] [3]

Timing drive

Chain: BMW’s N13 training document shows a primary chain to the camshafts and a secondary chain driving the oil pump, with tensioner and guide rails. No scheduled replacement in the documents consulted.

Source : [9] [3]

Prepare the next service

Before the appointment, note 4.2 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] [9]

Maintenance and records

Questions about this version (5)

1.6 or 2.0: how do I know?

1,598 cc on cars built until 05/2016 (ADAC), 1,998 cc on the 135 kW version from 07/2016. BMW’s summer 2016 release announces the new engine for July 2016. The displacement is on the registration document.

Source : [9] [10] [4]

How much oil?

4.2 l at an oil change according to BMW’s January 2015 table; the 2.0 120i that followed takes 5.25 l (BMW’s July 2017 table). Do not trust a “120i” listing that does not state the engine.

Source : [2] [5]

How do I check the oil level?

With the dipstick: BMW’s N13 training document states that the engine has no permanent oil level monitoring.

Source : [3]

Is it the old 118i engine?

Same N13 family: BMW quoted 125 kW and 250 Nm for the 2011 118i, and quotes 130 kW and 250 Nm for this 120i in 2015.

Source : [2] [1]

Can I use Longlife-17 FE+?

The 2019 chart of Original BMW oils lists it only for the modular engines and the N20; for the N13 it gives Longlife-04 and Longlife-12 FE. The handbook is the binding reference.

Source : [8]

Documentary sources

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

    BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · Valid from 9/2011 · five-door · pp. 1–2 · 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 Technical training — Product information: N13 Engine

    BMW AG — Technical training (online copy) · EN · Europe · §1.1 Models (F20 116i/118i, 09/2011) · §2.3 Camshaft drive · §3.4.2 Oil level monitoring · §3.5.2 Timing chain lubrication · Accessed 08/10/2026

  4. [4] BMW model upgrade measures in the summer of 2016

    BMW Group · EN · Europe · Sections “BMW M Performance models of the BMW 1 Series and BMW 2 Series” (M140i) and “New four-cylinder petrol engine for eight models” (120i, 125i), from July 2016 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  5. [5] 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

  6. [6] 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

  7. [7] 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

  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 120i Urban Line Steptronic (3-Türer) (03/15 – 05/16)

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

  10. [10] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 120i Sport Line Steptronic (5-Türer) (07/16 – 06/17)

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

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