F20/F21 · 2016–2019

BMW 120i F20/F21 · 184 PS (2016–2019)

From July 2016 the 120i gets a 2.0 four-cylinder from BMW’s new engine generation: 135 kW, 5 kW more than the 1.6 it replaced. It stayed in the range until 2019.

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Technical specifications

Fuel
Petrol
Power
184 PS / 135 kW
Displacement
1 998 cm³
Torque
290 Nm
Cylinders
4
Engine code
B48
Period covered
2016–2019
Documented market
Europe

Transmission

  • Manual · 6 speeds · 2016
  • Automatic · 8 speeds · 2016

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
7.1 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 [3]

What distinguishes this version

1,998 cc four-cylinder with twin-scroll turbo, direct injection, VALVETRONIC and double VANOS (B48 family, B48B20A at ADAC): 135 kW at 5,000 rpm and 290 Nm (270 Nm with the automatic in BMW’s table) from 1,350 to 4,250 rpm. Six-speed manual or eight-speed Steptronic, three or five doors. BMW: 7.1 s, 230 km/h (automatic 225), 5.7 l/100 km (July 2017 table).

Source : [3] [2] [6]

Engine oil: quantity and approval

Oil change: 5.25 l according to BMW’s specification table valid from July 2017 (“oil change volume”). Approval: the 2019 chart of Original BMW engine oils published by a BMW dealer lists, for BMW’s modular petrol engines (B38, B48 and B58, the “Bx8” family in BMW training documents) from model year 2014: BMW Longlife-04 (SAE 5W-30 or 0W-30), Longlife-12 FE (0W-30) and Longlife-17 FE+ (0W-20). The chart itself refers to the owner’s handbook for the binding approval and quantity: check yours.

Source : [3] [5]

Timing drive

Chain (ADAC: “Steuerkette”). BMW’s training document for the Bx8 petrol engines describes a two-part chain drive on the transmission side of the engine, where the gearbox’s inertia reduces the loads on the chain; the oil-vacuum pump has its own chain. No scheduled replacement in the documents consulted: the chain is a repair item, not maintenance.

Source : [6] [4]

Prepare the next service

Before the appointment, note 5.25 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 : [3] [6]

Maintenance and records

Questions about this version (5)

290 or 270 Nm?

BMW’s July 2017 table gives 290 Nm, with 270 Nm in brackets, the bracketed figures applying to the automatic gearbox.

Source : [3]

Is it the same engine as the 125i?

Same 1,998 cc block, but ADAC distinguishes B48B20A (120i) and B48B20B (125i): 135 kW against 165 kW, and a compression ratio of 11.0 against 10.2 in BMW’s table. Both take 5.25 l of oil.

Source : [3] [6] [8]

How much oil compared with the 1.6 120i?

5.25 l at an oil change (BMW’s July 2017 table), against 4.2 l for the 2015–2016 N13 120i (BMW’s January 2015 table).

Source : [3] [1]

Which emissions standard?

ADAC lists Euro 6b (NEDC) for the 07/2016–06/2017 version and Euro 6d-TEMP-EVAP (WLTP) for the one sold from 07/2018. Your registration document gives yours.

Source : [6] [7]

Where is the timing chain?

On the transmission side, as on all the Bx8 petrol engines described in BMW’s training document: two chains (upper and lower) and a separate chain for the oil-vacuum pump.

Source : [4]

Documentary sources

  1. [1] 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

  2. [2] 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

  3. [3] 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

  4. [4] BMW Technical training — B46 Engine (with the B38 three-cylinder)

    BMW of North America — Technical training (archive.org copy) · EN · USA · Information status June 2014 · §1 (B38/B46, “Bx8”) · §2.2.7 Chain drive, Bx8 engines (pp. 57–58) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  5. [5] 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

  6. [6] 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

  7. [7] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 120i Edition Metropolitan Steptronic (5-Türer) (07/18 – 06/19)

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

  8. [8] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 125i M Sport Steptronic (3-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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