E90 / E91 · 2007–2008

BMW 320i E90 / E91 · 170 PS · N43 B20A (2007–2008)

The 125 kW (170 PS) 320i uses the N43 B20A. This page covers 2007–2008. European direct-injection version. Parts catalogues sometimes group N43 and N46 engines intended for different markets: confirm the engine before ordering injectors or ignition parts.

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Identify the car and prepare its maintenance

Technical specifications

Fuel
Petrol
Power
170 PS / 125 kW
Displacement
1 995 cm³
Torque
210 Nm
Cylinders
4
Engine code
N43 B20A
Period covered
2007–2008
Documented market
Europe

Transmission

  • Manual · 6 speeds
  • Automatic · 6 speeds

Figures apply to the cited configuration and market; equipment and transmissions may vary by production date.

Specification source :

Identity and distinguishing features

The 125 kW (170 PS) 320i uses the N43 B20A. This page covers 2007–2008. European direct-injection version. Parts catalogues sometimes group N43 and N46 engines intended for different markets: confirm the engine before ordering injectors or ignition parts. Shared page for E90 Saloon and E91 Touring with matching engine and output. The Saloon ends in 2011, the Touring in 2012. This page combines their year ranges; launch months may differ.

Source : [11] [19] [15] [16] [10] [14]

Engine oil

Documented oil-change quantity: 4.25 l. Check the level after filling; this is not a top-up quantity. BMW Longlife-04 is approved for petrol engines only in the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Elsewhere, confirm the market-specific approval. Document discrepancy: BMW lists 4.25 l in 2008 and in N43 B20 TIS, then 4.3 l in September 2010. This page retains the TIS value and flags the rounding; the measured level is the final check.

Source : [5] [8] [13]

CBS intervals and service scope

Oil service depends on fuel used, with a 24-month limit. Starting value: 25 000 km. The initial mileage is a forecast, not a guaranteed interval. Front and rear pads have separate wear-based counters. Brake fluid: 24 months. Vehicle check: 50 000 km or 48 months in the European CBS bulletin. From March 2007 production: oil and filter, cabin microfilter and handbrake check at each oil service; air filter and spark plugs at every third oil service. Shorten the air-filter interval in dusty conditions.

Source : [1] [3] [4] [20] [6]

Timing drive

TIS documents a timing chain. The cited service operations set no chain-replacement interval; repairs require diagnosis rather than an invented mileage limit.

Source : [9] [6]

Documented faults and recalls

The ADAC 3 Series recall list includes the positive battery cable connection (May 2019), a blower regulator that can overheat (February 2021) and Takata driver airbags (including May 2026). Campaign ranges span several models: have the VIN and completed work checked; the 320i badge alone does not establish eligibility.

Source : [17]

Prepare the service

Bring the VIN, build month, 125 kW rating and N43 B20A code. Record CBS deadlines and previous oil services; bring the key used on the last trip, which stores service data. Have the actual work entered in the service booklet and the oil specification recorded on the invoice.

Source : [18] [11] [15]

Maintenance and records

Engine oil

CBS · 24 months

24 months

Variable deadline calculated from use; change oil within 24 months at the latest. See the engine page for the applicable starting value.

Source [4]

Vehicle check

50000 km / 48 months

50 000 km

48 months

Vehicle check is separate from oil service; use whichever limit comes first, distance or time.

Source [4]

Brake fluid

24 months

24 months

Replace the fluid and reset only this CBS service after the work.

Source [4]

Questions about this version (5)

Which engine does this 170 PS 320i use?

The 125 kW (170 PS) 320i uses the N43 B20A. This page covers 2007–2008.

Source : [11] [15]

How much oil for this 320i with the N43 B20A?

Documented oil-change quantity: 4.25 l. Check the level after filling; this is not a top-up quantity. BMW Longlife-04 is approved for petrol engines only in the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Elsewhere, confirm the market-specific approval. Document discrepancy: BMW lists 4.25 l in 2008 and in N43 B20 TIS, then 4.3 l in September 2010. This page retains the TIS value and flags the rounding; the measured level is the final check.

Source : [5] [8] [13]

What should be replaced with the oil on this 320i?

From March 2007 production: oil and filter, cabin microfilter and handbrake check at each oil service; air filter and spark plugs at every third oil service. Shorten the air-filter interval in dusty conditions.

Source : [1] [3] [4] [20] [6]

What technical detail distinguishes this 320i N43 B20A?

European direct-injection version. Parts catalogues sometimes group N43 and N46 engines intended for different markets: confirm the engine before ordering injectors or ignition parts.

Source : [11] [19] [15] [16] [10] [14]

Does this 320i page also cover the Touring?

Shared page for E90 Saloon and E91 Touring with matching engine and output. The Saloon ends in 2011, the Touring in 2012. This page combines their year ranges; launch months may differ.

Source : [11] [19] [15] [16] [10] [14]

Documentary sources

  1. [1] BMW AG TIS — CBS E87, bulletin 00 01 04 (070)

    BMW AG (TIS, copie archivée) · EN · Worldwide · Archive · p. 1 · update 11/2006 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  2. [2] BMW AG TIS — calcul huile, microfiltre et freins

    BMW AG (TIS, copie archivée) · EN · Worldwide · Archive · p. 3 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  3. [3] BMW AG TIS — CBS, valeurs de départ EURO

    BMW AG (TIS, copie archivée) · EN · Europe · Archive · p. 4 · starting values, not fixed mileage intervals · Accessed 08/10/2026

  4. [4] BMW TIS — CBS: spark plugs, vehicle check, brake fluid

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · SBT CBS · p. 5 · EURO · update 11/2006 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  5. [5] BMW TIS — BMW Quality Longlife-04

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · SI 11 03 04 (156) · revision 09/2005 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  6. [6] BMW TIS — Oil service, petrol from 03/2007

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · RA 00 00 610 · from 03/2007 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  7. [7] BMW TIS — Harmonisation of oil change intervals

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · ECE · SI 00 13 07 (391) · 10/2007 · launch 09/2008 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  8. [8] BMW TIS — Oil Supply N43 B20

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · TD 11 40 · oil change volume with oil filter · Accessed 08/10/2026

  9. [9] BMW TIS — Replacing timing chain (N43)

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · RA 11 31 · N43 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  10. [10] BMW — 3 Series launch technical specifications, 2005

    BMW AG · EN · Europe · Section 10: 320i, 325i, 330i, 320d; engine oil and engine data · Accessed 08/10/2026

  11. [11] BMW — The new BMW 3 Series, July 2008

    BMW AG · EN · Europe · BMW AG European press kit; pp. 53–72: Saloon and Touring; oil change quantities · Accessed 08/10/2026

  12. [12] BMW Group Annual Report 2006 — consumption and emissions

    BMW AG · EN · Europe · Consumption and emissions: 3 Series Sedan and Touring; displacement, kW, M6/A6 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  13. [13] BMW — 3 Series Saloon 09/2010: 318i, 320i

    BMW AG · EN · Europe · Power Unit, Engine oil (footnote 1: Oil change), transmission · Accessed 08/10/2026

  14. [14] BMW — Model Range in Spring 2010

    BMW AG · EN · Europe · pp. 2–3: 316d Touring; 335i VALVETRONIC; 325d and 320d upgrades · Accessed 08/10/2026

  15. [15] MANN-FILTER — Passenger car catalogue 2020/21

    MANN+HUMMEL · DE · Europe · Printed pp. 35–37: E90/E91 engine codes. Applicability dates may group E92/E93 and export markets. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  16. [16] ADAC — BMW 3er-Reihe (2005–2013) Diesel, Gebrauchtwageninfo

    ADAC · DE · Europe · Modellgeschichte: launch, autumn 2007, LCI 09/2008, 2010 updates, E90 11/2011 and E91 09/2012 end · Accessed 08/10/2026

  17. [17] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 3er-Reihe, Rückrufe & Mängel

    ADAC · DE · Europe · Shared series recall table on 335i Coupé page: affected E90/E91 explicitly listed; verify VIN and engine applicability · Accessed 08/10/2026

  18. [18] BMW — Betriebsanleitung E90, 03/2005

    BMW AG (manuel archivé) · DE · Europe · Printed pp. 180–182 and 185 (viewer 181–183, 186): oil level, approvals, CBS, key and service booklet · Accessed 08/10/2026

  19. [19] BMW TIS — E90/E91 model and engine index

    BMW AG (TIS, archive) · EN · Europe · 3 Series E90 and E91: N46, N52, N53, N54, M47T2, M57T2 and N47 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  20. [20] BMW TIS — Engine oil service up to 02/2007

    BMW AG (TIS, archive) · EN · Europe · RA 00 00 610; service scope before 03/2007 · Accessed 08/10/2026

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