F20/F21 · 2015–2016

BMW 125i F20/F21 · 218 PS (2015–2016)

The 2015 125i keeps the 2.0 N20 of the previous phase at 160 kW. In July 2016 it gave way to a 165 kW 125i with the new-generation B48, automatic only.

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Technical specifications

Fuel
Petrol
Power
218 PS / 160 kW
Displacement
1 997 cm³
Torque
310 Nm
Cylinders
4
Engine code
N20
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
6.4 s
Combined consumption — period European cycle
6.6 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

1,997 cc four-cylinder turbo petrol (N20 in BMW’s parts catalogue, N20B20A at ADAC): 160 kW at 5,000 rpm and 310 Nm from 1,350 to 4,800 rpm, six-speed manual or eight-speed Steptronic, three or five doors. BMW’s January 2015 table: 6.4 s (automatic 6.2 s), 245 km/h (243), 6.6 l/100 km (6.3).

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

Engine oil: quantity and approval

Oil change: 5.0 l according to BMW’s January 2015 specification table (“oil change” quantity). The level is monitored by a thermal oil level and temperature sensor (BMW N20 training document). Approval: the 2019 chart of Original BMW engine oils published by a BMW dealer groups the N20 with the modular engines from model year 2014 and lists BMW Longlife-04 (SAE 5W-30 or 0W-30), Longlife-12 FE (0W-30) and Longlife-17 FE+ (0W-20) for them. The chart refers to the owner’s handbook for the binding approval.

Source : [2] [8] [3]

Timing drive

Chain: BMW’s N20 training document splits it into an upper section (camshaft drive) and a lower section (oil pump drive); the chain is lubricated by an oil spray nozzle in the chain tensioner. No scheduled replacement in the documents consulted.

Source : [9] [3]

Prepare the next service

Before the appointment, note 5.0 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)

How do I tell it from the 2016 125i?

Output (160 kW against 165 kW), displacement (1,997 against 1,998 cc), gearbox (the later car is automatic only) and dates: ADAC lists this one from 03/2015 to 05/2016, the B48 from 07/2016.

Source : [2] [5] [9] [10] [4]

5.0 or 5.75 l of oil?

BMW’s January 2015 table gives 5.0 l for this 125i, while BMW’s 2012 sheet for the pre-facelift N20 125i gave 5.75 l. The BMW documents consulted do not explain the gap: check the displayed level after the change.

Source : [2] [1]

How is the oil level monitored?

By a thermal oil level and temperature sensor, according to BMW’s N20 training document.

Source : [3]

Is Longlife-17 FE+ listed for the N20?

Yes: the 2019 chart of Original BMW oils groups “modular and N20 engines without particulate filter, from model year 2014” and lists Longlife-04, Longlife-12 FE and Longlife-17 FE+ for them. The handbook is the binding reference.

Source : [8]

How is the timing drive built?

A chain in two parts according to BMW’s N20 training document: the camshaft drive at the top, the oil pump drive at the bottom, with a spray nozzle in the tensioner lubricating the chain.

Source : [3]

Documentary sources

  1. [1] BMW Specifications 1/2012 — BMW 1 Series 125i

    BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · Valid from 3/2012 · 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: N20 Engine

    BMW AG — Technical training (archive.org copy) · EN · Europe · Information status 11/2010 · §3.4.2 Oil level monitoring · §3.5.2 Chain drive · 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 125i Advantage Steptronic (5-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 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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