F70 · 2024–…
Available from the October 2024 launch, the 120 is the only three-cylinder in the range with 48-volt mild hybrid. BMW quotes 125 kW in total, 115 kW of it from the combustion engine: compare with your registration document. An oil change takes 4.5 l.
Figures apply to the cited configuration and market; equipment and transmissions may vary by production date.
Specification source : [3] BMW Group [4] BMW Group
1,499 cc three-cylinder petrol turbo (ADAC engine code B38A15P): 115 kW (156 hp) between 4,700 and 6,500 rpm and 240 Nm between 1,500 and 4,400 rpm, plus 15 kW and 55 Nm from the electric motor, for 125 kW (170 hp) and 280 Nm in total. The engine uses the Miller cycle (shorter intake valve opening), redesigned ports and combustion chambers, an active ignition coil and dual injection (direct and port). Seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch gearbox, front-wheel drive. BMW quotes 7.8 s for 0–100 km/h and 226 km/h; WLTP combined consumption 6.0–5.3 l/100 km (135–121 g/km CO2), Euro 6e. Timing chain according to ADAC.
Oil change: 4.5 l according to BMW’s 06/2024 specification sheet (“oil change amount”). For top-ups the handbook lists BMW Longlife-12 FE, Longlife-17 FE+ or Longlife-19 FE, SAE 0W-20 or 0W-30 (if unavailable, up to 1 litre of ACEA C2, C3 or C5), with no additives. The level is measured electronically: it is monitored while driving (a value is available after about 30 minutes of normal driving), and a detailed measurement is started with the car level, engine warm and selector in N or P, under Apps › Vehicle › Vehicle status › Engine oil level › Oil level measurement. The handbook advises running it after every refuelling. Only add oil when the car asks for it, by the quantity given in the message.
The electric motor integrated into the dual-clutch gearbox acts as a starter generator: 15 kW and 55 Nm, added to the combustion engine’s 115 kW and 240 Nm for a total of 125 kW and 280 Nm. It is fed by a 20 Ah 48-volt battery under the luggage floor (300-litre boot), recharged by energy recovery when braking and decelerating. The handbook says not to remove that floor, fold its front part up or work on the battery. To charge the 12-volt battery, with the engine off, use the jump-start points in the engine compartment with the bonnet open. There is no charging socket: this is not a plug-in hybrid.
The car calculates each due date from how it is used (Condition Based Service) and briefly shows the next date or remaining distance after switching on; details, including statutory inspections, are under Apps › Vehicle › Vehicle status › Service. BMW’s regular maintenance covers engine oil, brake fluid, a vehicle check, air filter, cabin microfilter and spark plugs. Some items depend on time, such as replacing fluids: have the workshop update them. Neither the handbook nor BMW’s list sets a mileage or period: the dates are the ones your car displays.
Check the first-registration date and the power on the registration document (BMW: 125 kW total, of which 115 kW from the combustion engine). Note the items and dates shown under Apps › Vehicle › Vehicle status › Service. Give the service advisor the key the car was last driven with: the car stores its service data in it. Ask for 4.5 l of a BMW-approved oil, then check that the work is entered in the electronic Service History, which replaces the printed service booklet and can be viewed by a later owner.
Due date calculated by CBS
Oil change at the date the car displays; do not run past it. Top-up: BMW Longlife-12 FE, Longlife-17 FE+ or Longlife-19 FE, SAE 0W-20 or 0W-30. If unavailable, up to 1 litre of ACEA C2, C3 or C5. No additives. Only add the quantity the car’s message asks for.
Source [6]As the service requirement dictates
BMW lists as regular maintenance: brake fluid, a vehicle check to BMW specifications, air filter, cabin microfilter and spark plugs. Each item is triggered by the service requirement the car calculates.
Source [2]Calendar-based (CBS)
Some maintenance items depend on time, for example replacing operating fluids. The F70 handbook states that periods with the battery disconnected are taken into account; have the workshop update these items. The handbook gives no period.
Source [6]No owner intervention
The 48-volt battery sits under the luggage compartment floor: do not remove the floor or fold its front part up, and do not replace or work on this battery. Charge the 12-volt battery only with the engine off, through the jump-start points in the engine compartment, with the bonnet open.
Source [6]Regular check, engine cold
Level correct at the Max mark in the filler neck, engine cold and climate control off. BMW recommends coolant to BMW LC-18, mixed 50:50 with water; do not mix additives of different colours. Up to two expansion tanks depending on the drive variant.
Source [6]BMW explains that total output combines the combustion engine’s nominal value (115 kW) with the electric motor’s output, up to its nominal value (15 kW). ADAC lists both figures. Your registration document may show either: both refer to the same version.
With the F70, BMW drops the “i” (originally for injection) from petrol models and reserves it for all-electric models. The 1 Series is the first range to apply the rule: the 120 succeeds the 120i.
Source : [3]
The 48-volt battery sits under the luggage floor: BMW quotes 300–1,135 litres for the 120, against 380–1,200 litres for the 116 and 118d, which have no mild hybrid.
The handbook specifies Super RON 95, with RON 91 as the minimum. Ethanol is allowed up to 25% (E10, E25). On RON 91 or with more than 10% ethanol, knocking and noticeable changes in driving behaviour and noise are possible, with no effect on engine life according to BMW. Published output and consumption refer to RON 98 E10. Never use metallic fuel additives (manganese or iron).
Source : [6]
Up to 2,000 km, do not exceed 4,500 rpm or 160 km/h, and avoid full load and kick-down; then increase gradually. New tyres need a gentle approach for 300 km, the brakes for about 500 km. The same rules apply after these parts are replaced.
Source : [6]
BMW Group · EN · Germany · Press release: fourth generation in production, third-generation deliveries to end of June 2024 · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW AG · DE · Germany · Section “Die Leistungen von BMW Service Inclusive” · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW Group · EN · Europe · p. 4 (production in Leipzig, market launch October 2024), p. 5 (dimensions vs predecessor), p. 9 (luggage capacity), pp. 12–15 (engines, model designations, 48-volt mild hybrid, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission), pp. 20–21 (M135 xDrive) · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · pp. 1–8; footnote 1) “Oil change amount”; footnote 2) total output = combustion engine + electric drive; consumption WLTP combined · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · pp. 1–2; footnote 1) “Oil change volume”; consumption WLTP combined · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW AG (online copy: Kfz-Handbuch.de) · DE · Germany · pp. 170–171 (Service), 334 (Einfahren), 352–353 (Rekuperation, Segeln), 391–395 (Kraftstoff, AdBlue), 396–401 (Motoröl, Kühlmittel), 403–404 (CBS), 407–409 (Batterie, Mild-Hybrid), 416–417 (Starthilfe), 429–432 (Technische Daten) · Accessed 08/10/2026
ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung (Systemleistung / Verbrennungsmotor / Elektromotor), Drehmoment, Hubraum, Nockenwellensteuerung, Modellstart, Schadstoffklasse · Accessed 08/10/2026