F30 / F31 · 2012–2015

BMW ActiveHybrid 3 F30 · 340 PS · N55B30A (2012–2015)

The ActiveHybrid 3 delivers 250 kW (340 PS) of system output; its combustion engine is a 2979 cc N55B30A. This page covers 2012–2015. Non-plug-in hybrid: 250 kW/340 PS is system output, not the N55 alone (225 kW/306 PS). Energy recuperation charges the battery; there is no plug-in charging like the 330e. Eight-speed automatic and 450 Nm system torque.

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Identify the car and prepare its maintenance

Technical specifications

Fuel
Hybrid
Power
340 PS / 250 kW
Displacement
2 979 cm³
Torque
450 Nm
Engine code
N55B30A
Period covered
2012–2015
Documented market
Europe

Transmission

  • 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 ActiveHybrid 3 delivers 250 kW (340 PS) of system output; its combustion engine is a 2979 cc N55B30A. This page covers 2012–2015. This powertrain is documented here only in the F30 Saloon; there is no equivalent F31 Touring entry in this dossier. Non-plug-in hybrid: 250 kW/340 PS is system output, not the N55 alone (225 kW/306 PS). Energy recuperation charges the battery; there is no plug-in charging like the 330e. Eight-speed automatic and 450 Nm system torque.

Source : [14] [17] [1] [10] [11] [13] [12] [15]

Engine oil

BMW’s published oil-change quantity is 6.5 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. The II/2016 handbook adds FE approvals: Longlife-12 FE, and Longlife-14 FE+ for certain petrol engines only. It also restricts diesel Longlife-12 FE and 0W-20/5W-20 grades to certain engines. These oils are not universally interchangeable: confirm the VIN-specific approval before an oil change.

Source : [14] [2] [6] [7]

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. That table describes the early F31 handbook. For this later or hybrid version, verify the linked-service counter by VIN: the II/2016 handbook confirms CBS but does not reproduce the table or independently establish identical plug and filter frequencies for every version.

Source : [3] [4] [9] [8]

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 : [17] [3] [4]

Documented faults and recalls

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 : [16]

Prepare the service

Bring the VIN, build month, N55B30A code and 250 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. Also record hybrid-system warnings and request checks by a workshop qualified for high-voltage work; electric mileage does not remove petrol-engine maintenance.

Source : [3] [8] [14]

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]

Filters and plugs linked to the service

Verify the counter and VIN-specific service plan

Plan the microfilter and air filter, plus petrol spark plugs or diesel fuel filter. Every-second-oil-service frequency is documented in the early handbook; confirmation is needed for this later or hybrid version.

Source [4]

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 340 PS ActiveHybrid 3?

The ActiveHybrid 3 delivers 250 kW (340 PS) of system output; its combustion engine is a 2979 cc N55B30A. This page covers 2012–2015. This powertrain is documented here only in the F30 Saloon; there is no equivalent F31 Touring entry in this dossier.

Source : [14] [17] [1] [10] [11] [13] [12] [15]

How much oil does this N55B30A ActiveHybrid 3 take?

BMW’s published oil-change quantity is 6.5 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. The II/2016 handbook adds FE approvals: Longlife-12 FE, and Longlife-14 FE+ for certain petrol engines only. It also restricts diesel Longlife-12 FE and 0W-20/5W-20 grades to certain engines. These oils are not universally interchangeable: confirm the VIN-specific approval before an oil change.

Source : [14] [2] [6] [7]

Which filters or plugs should I plan for this ActiveHybrid 3?

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. That table describes the early F31 handbook. For this later or hybrid version, verify the linked-service counter by VIN: the II/2016 handbook confirms CBS but does not reproduce the table or independently establish identical plug and filter frequencies for every version.

Source : [3] [4] [9] [8]

Can this ActiveHybrid 3 be charged from a socket?

Non-plug-in hybrid: 250 kW/340 PS is system output, not the N55 alone (225 kW/306 PS). Energy recuperation charges the battery; there is no plug-in charging like the 330e. Eight-speed automatic and 450 Nm system torque.

Source : [14] [17] [1] [10] [11] [13] [12] [15]

Does this N55B30A ActiveHybrid 3 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 : [17] [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, huile

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Pages 226–227 : appoint, Longlife-01/01 FE/04/12 FE/14 FE+ ; restrictions selon moteur et viscosité. Réf. 01 40 2 970 065. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  7. [7] BMW F30/F31 — notice II/2016, restrictions d’huile

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Page 227 : Longlife-12 FE diesel et viscosités 0W-20/5W-20 seulement pour certains moteurs ; vidange. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  8. [8] 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

  9. [9] 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

  10. [10] 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

  11. [11] 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

  12. [12] 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

  13. [13] 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

  14. [14] BMW — ActiveHybrid 3, dossier de presse 07/2012

    BMW Group · EN · Europe / marchés ACEA · Sections propulsion hybride, récupération d’énergie et caractéristiques : système 250 kW/340 ch, N55 225 kW/306 ch, 6,5 l de vidange. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  15. [15] BMW — 335i Touring, fiche 03/2013

    BMW Group · EN · Europe / marchés ACEA · 2 pages : caractéristiques moteur, boîte, puissance/couple et Engine oil capacity, note Oil change volume. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  16. [16] 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

  17. [17] ADAC — BMW Série 3, fiche technique adacpre-5

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

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