F30 / F31 · 2012–2015

BMW 320i F30 / F31 · 184 PS · N20 (2012–2015)

The 320i produces 135 kW (184 PS) with the 1997 cc N20 engine. This page covers 2012–2015. This 320i uses the turbo four-cylinder N20 with 270 Nm. The LCI 320i keeps 184 PS but switches to B48; output alone cannot select its oil or parts.

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Identify the car and prepare its maintenance

Technical specifications

Fuel
Petrol
Power
184 PS / 135 kW
Displacement
1 997 cm³
Torque
270 Nm
Engine code
N20
Period covered
2012–2015
Documented market
Europe

Transmission

  • Manual · 6 speeds
  • Automatic · 8 speeds

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

Specification source :

Identity and distinguishing features

The 320i produces 135 kW (184 PS) with the 1997 cc N20 engine. This page covers 2012–2015. Shared page for the F30 Saloon and F31 Touring with matching engine and output. Dates combine both bodies; availability can vary by country and gearbox. This 320i uses the turbo four-cylinder N20 with 270 Nm. The LCI 320i keeps 184 PS but switches to B48; output alone cannot select its oil or parts.

Source : [13] [16] [1] [8] [9] [11] [10] [12] [17]

Engine oil

BMW’s published oil-change quantity is 5.75 l. This is a service quantity, not an amount to pour in as a top-up: check the level after filling. For petrol top-ups the F31 handbook lists BMW Longlife-01, Longlife-01 FE or Longlife-04 and SAE 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 or 5W-30. Match the approval to the engine and market; viscosity alone is insufficient. No additives.

Source : [13] [2]

Maintenance and CBS deadlines

CBS calculates deadlines from use; read distance and date under Vehicle information → Vehicle status → Service requirements. Oil, front and rear pads, brake fluid and vehicle check are separate items. This handbook does not set a universal oil mileage or a numeric brake-fluid interval here. The F31 handbook’s service table specifies oil, oil filter and air-conditioning microfilter at every oil service; spark plugs and air filter at every second oil service. Change the air filter sooner in dusty conditions.

Source : [3] [4] [7] [6]

Timing drive

Chain-driven timing. The consulted BMW maintenance table contains no periodic chain replacement: do not assign this engine a belt interval. Noise or a timing fault calls for diagnosis, not simply a CBS reset.

Source : [16] [3] [4]

Documented faults and recalls

BMW North America bulletin SIB 11 03 17 addresses timing and oil-pump drive chains on certain N20 320i/328i cars. It is a US warranty extension, not a European recall or a coverage promise here. ADAC also records the October 2013 campaign concerning vacuum-pump oil supply on 20i/28i engines, which can reduce brake assistance. Check the VIN and repairs. ADAC’s 3 Series list includes starter-relay corrosion with a fire risk (August 2026) and the driver-airbag inflator (September 2024). These campaigns span multiple models and periods: only a VIN check and completed-work history establish applicability.

Source : [15] [14]

Prepare the service

Bring the VIN, build month, N20 code and 135 kW rating. Record CBS dates and counters, previous oil services and filter changes; bring the key used for the last journey. Have the oil and work itemised on the invoice and the service recorded. Report storage with the battery disconnected so time-based deadlines can be corrected.

Source : [3] [6] [13]

Maintenance and records

Oil and oil filter

At the CBS deadline

Replace oil and filter. The engine page gives quantity and approvals; check the final level.

Source [3]

Cabin microfilter

With every oil service, early F31 handbook

Replace the air-conditioning microfilter as specified in the documented service table.

Source [3]

Air filter

Every second oil service, early F31 handbook

Replace the filter element; shorten the interval in dusty conditions.

Source [4]

Petrol spark plugs

Every second oil service, early F31 handbook

Replace spark plugs according to the oil-service counter.

Source [3]

Front and rear brakes

Separate wear-based CBS items

Replace pads when due, check disc thickness and condition, and inspect the rear parking brake.

Source [4]

Brake fluid

At the date shown by CBS

Renew the fluid and check parking-brake function. The consulted handbook gives no universal numeric interval.

Source [4]

Vehicle check

At the CBS vehicle-check deadline

Check lights, belts, tyres, fluid levels, brake lines, underbody and steering; perform the specified functional road test.

Source [4]

Questions about this version (5)

Which engine powers this 184 PS 320i?

The 320i produces 135 kW (184 PS) with the 1997 cc N20 engine. This page covers 2012–2015. Shared page for the F30 Saloon and F31 Touring with matching engine and output. Dates combine both bodies; availability can vary by country and gearbox.

Source : [13] [16] [1] [8] [9] [11] [10] [12] [17]

How much oil does this N20 320i take?

BMW’s published oil-change quantity is 5.75 l. This is a service quantity, not an amount to pour in as a top-up: check the level after filling. For petrol top-ups the F31 handbook lists BMW Longlife-01, Longlife-01 FE or Longlife-04 and SAE 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 or 5W-30. Match the approval to the engine and market; viscosity alone is insufficient. No additives.

Source : [13] [2]

Which filters or plugs should I plan for this 320i?

The F31 handbook’s service table specifies oil, oil filter and air-conditioning microfilter at every oil service; spark plugs and air filter at every second oil service. Change the air filter sooner in dusty conditions.

Source : [3] [4] [7] [6]

What distinguishes this 184 PS 320i?

This 320i uses the turbo four-cylinder N20 with 270 Nm. The LCI 320i keeps 184 PS but switches to B48; output alone cannot select its oil or parts.

Source : [13] [16] [1] [8] [9] [11] [10] [12] [17]

Does this N20 320i have a timing belt to replace?

Chain-driven timing. The consulted BMW maintenance table contains no periodic chain replacement: do not assign this engine a belt interval. Noise or a timing fault calls for diagnosis, not simply a CBS reset.

Source : [16] [3] [4]

Documentary sources

  1. [1] MANN-FILTER — catalogue voitures 2020/21

    MANN-FILTER · DE · Europe / marchés ACEA · Pages imprimées 36–37 : BMW 328i F30/F31 et 3 (F30/F31/F80), codes moteur et puissances. Dates de filtrage non assimilées à des dates commerciales. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  2. [2] BMW F31 — notice, huile moteur

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Pages 201–202 : Ölsorten zum Nachfüllen, normes et viscosités. Appoint, pas un tableau de toutes les huiles pour chaque VIN. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  3. [3] BMW F31 — notice, entretien et huile

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Page 204 : CBS, clé, immobilisation, historique ; huile, filtre, microfiltre ; bougies toutes les deux vidanges. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  4. [4] BMW F31 — notice, filtres et freins

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Pages 205–206 : filtre gazole et air toutes les deux vidanges ; freins, liquide de frein et contrôle véhicule. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  5. [5] BMW F31 — notice, contrôle du véhicule

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Page 206 : direction, essai routier et service. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  6. [6] BMW F30/F31 — notice II/2016, CBS

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Page 230 : usage, données de service dans la clé, batterie débranchée, historique. Pas de tableau chiffré complet par motorisation. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  7. [7] BMW F30/F31 — notice II/2016, affichage du service

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Page 89 : distance/date, Infos véhicule > État du véhicule > Besoin de service. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  8. [8] ADAC — BMW Série 3 2012–2018 diesel, bilan occasion

    ADAC · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Pages 2–3 : défauts/rappels et histoire ; fin F30 10/2018, F31 06/2019. Les coûts à 30 000 km/24 mois ne sont pas une règle CBS universelle. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  9. [9] ADAC — gamme F30/F31 avant restylage

    ADAC · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Liste des versions : puissances et périodes commerciales, dont ActiveHybrid 3 et 320i EfficientDynamics Edition. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  10. [10] BMW — présentation F30/F31 restylées, 07/05/2015

    BMW Group · EN · Europe / marchés ACEA · Nouveaux moteurs modulaires essence et diesel ; 318i, 320i, 330i, 340i, 316d/318d/320d. Ne concerne pas le F34. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  11. [11] BMW — F30/F31 restylées, caractéristiques 05/2015

    BMW Group · EN · Europe / marchés ACEA · 36 pages : moteurs, puissances, couples, boîtes et Engine oil (Oil change), berline et Touring. 325d encore 160 kW ; N57 : 6,5 l. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  12. [12] BMW — 320i EfficientDynamics Edition, 11/2012

    BMW Group · EN · Europe / marchés ACEA · 2 pages : 125 kW/170 ch, 1 598 cm³, 250 Nm, huile de vidange 4,7 l, berline manuelle au lancement. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  13. [13] BMW — 320i berline, fiche 03/2012

    BMW Group · EN · Europe / marchés ACEA · 2 pages : 135 kW/184 ch, 1 997 cm³, 270 Nm, huile de vidange 5,75 l. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  14. [14] BMW North America — SIB 11 03 17, révision 9, 14/09/2021

    BMW of North America / NHTSA · EN · USA uniquement · Pages 1–2 : modèles N20/N26 et chaînes distribution/pompe à huile ; extension de garantie américaine, pas un rappel européen. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  15. [15] ADAC — BMW Série 3, fiche technique adacpre-0

    ADAC · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Technische Daten 316i : N13B16A, chaîne. Liste Rückrufe & Mängel de toute la gamme : démarreur 08/2026, airbag 09/2024, EGR 07/2019, pompe à vide 10/2013 ; vérifier le VIN. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  16. [16] ADAC — BMW Série 3, fiche technique adacpre-2

    ADAC · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Technische Daten : moteur, puissance, cylindrée, distribution et dates ; périmètre européen documenté. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  17. [17] ADAC — 320i EfficientDynamics Edition Steptronic 03/2013–06/2015

    ADAC · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Motor und Antrieb : N13B16A, 125 kW/170 PS, boîte automatique 8 rapports. · Accessed 08/10/2026

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