F20/F21 · 2016–2019
BMW 125i F20/F21 · 224 PS (2016–2019)
From July 2016 the 125i uses the new-generation 2.0 four-cylinder tuned to 165 kW, with an eight-speed automatic as standard. It stayed in the range until 2019.
Choose an engine
Identify the car and prepare its maintenanceTechnical specifications
- Fuel
- Petrol
- Power
- 224 PS / 165 kW
- Displacement
- 1 998 cm³
- Torque
- 310 Nm
- Cylinders
- 4
- Engine code
- B48
- Period covered
- 2016–2019
- Documented market
- Europe
Transmission
- 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
What distinguishes this version
1,998 cc four-cylinder (B48 family, B48B20B at ADAC): 165 kW at 5,200–6,500 rpm and 310 Nm from 1,400 to 5,000 rpm, compression ratio 10.2:1. Eight-speed Steptronic as standard, three or five doors. BMW: 6.1 s from 0 to 100 km/h, 243 km/h, 5.7 l/100 km (July 2017 table).
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.
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.
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.
Maintenance and records
Questions about this version (5)
Is there a manual version?
No: BMW’s summer 2016 release presents it with the eight-speed Steptronic “now standard”, and BMW’s July 2017 table lists only that gearbox.
How does it differ from the 120i engine?
Same 1,998 cc and same oil quantity (5.25 l), but ADAC codes B48B20B for the 125i and B48B20A for the 120i: 165 kW against 135 kW, compression 10.2 against 11.0 in BMW’s table.
How much oil compared with the N20 125i?
5.25 l at an oil change (BMW’s July 2017 table), against 5.0 l for the 2015–2016 N20 125i (BMW’s January 2015 table).
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.
Is the chain at the front of the engine?
No: on the Bx8 petrol engines BMW’s training document places it on the transmission side, in two parts, with a separate chain for the oil-vacuum pump.
Source : [4]
Documentary sources
- [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] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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] 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
- [8] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 125i Edition M Sport Shadow 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