F15 · 2015–2018

BMW X5 xDrive40e F15 · 313 hp (2015 to 2018)

The BMW X5 xDrive40e of the F15 generation uses the N20B20 plug-in hybrid engine with 313 hp. Oil, timing drive and known issues of this engine are covered in the “Engine” block on this page.

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Technical specifications

Fuel
Plug-in hybrid
Power
313 PS / 230 kW
Displacement
1 997 cm³
Cylinders
4
Engine code
N20B20
Period covered
2015–2018
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 : [1] AutoKarnet

This version

313 hp (230 kW), xDrive all-wheel drive, 8-speed automatic. Built from 2015 to 2018. Plug-in hybrid: the high-voltage battery charges from a socket; have the high-voltage system checked only by a qualified workshop.

AutoKarnet advice

In the range

It is the only plug-in hybrid version of this generation. The N20B20 engine is also fitted to: BMW X1 (E84), BMW X3 (F25), BMW X4 (F26), BMW Z4 (E89).

AutoKarnet advice

BMW N20 petrol engine (2.0 l turbo four)

This applies to every car fitted with the N20 engine.

What the N20 is

A 1,997 cc inline four-cylinder petrol engine (84 × 90.1 mm) with an aluminium crankcase, twin-scroll turbocharger, direct injection, third-generation Valvetronic and two balance shafts. BMW’s training material compares it with the naturally aspirated N52 six: 180 kW and 350 Nm as the N20B20O0, introduced for the 2012 model year (September 2011 in the US). It comes in several outputs, for example N20B20U0 in the 2014 2 Series.

Source : [3] [6]

Engine oil

BMW’s owner’s manual for the F20 1 Series (X/14) allows BMW Longlife-01, Longlife-01 FE and Longlife-04 oils for petrol engines, in SAE 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 or 5W-30; Longlife-04 is approved for petrol engines only in the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein. The oil change quantity depends on the model: 5.75 l for the F30 320i (2012), 5.0 l for the F22 220i and 228i Coupé (2014) according to BMW’s data sheets. Have the figure confirmed for your car.

Source : [5] [2] [7] [6]

Timing drive

Chain drive in two parts: at the top, the camshaft timing chain, lubricated by an oil spray nozzle in the tensioner; at the bottom, a chain driving the oil pump and the balance shafts, with its own tensioner. No replacement interval is set.

Source : [3] [4]

Chain wear: US warranty extension

BMW of North America (bulletin SIB 11 03 17, September 2021 revision) acknowledges that a whine from the lower engine near the oil pump, rising with engine speed, can indicate excessive wear of the timing chain and/or oil pump drive chain on N20 and N26 engines. The prescribed fix replaces the oil pump chain module, timing chain, tensioner and rails. In the US, coverage of these parts is extended to 7 years or 70,000 miles for the listed models (production 2011 to February 2015); it is not a European recall. Elsewhere, such a whine deserves a prompt diagnosis.

Source : [8]

Maintenance and records

Oil and filter change

Per CBS, at the latest 24 months

24 months

Due date calculated by the car from use. BMW Longlife-approved oil suited to the engine.

Source [1]

Pads and discs

Per wear sensors

Front and rear tracked separately by CBS.

Source [1]

Brake fluid

Every 24 months

24 months

Time-based replacement, whatever the mileage.

Source [1]

Questions about this version (2)

Which engine is in the BMW X5 xDrive40e F15?

The N20B20 plug-in hybrid engine (1 997 cc), 313 hp (230 kW).

AutoKarnet advice

Which oil for the BMW X5 xDrive40e?

A BMW Longlife-approved oil suited to the N20B20 engine. The “Engine” block on this page and the vehicle’s handbook give the exact approval.

AutoKarnet advice

Documentary sources

  1. [1] Rédaction AutoKarnet

    AutoKarnet · FR · Europe · Synthèse éditoriale AutoKarnet · Accessed 09/10/2026

  2. [2] BMW TIS — BMW Quality Longlife-04

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

  3. [3] BMW Technical training — Product information: N20 Engine

    BMW AG — Technical training (archive.org copy) · EN · Europe · Information status 11/2010 · §3.4.2 Oil level monitoring · §3.5.2 Chain drive · Accessed 08/10/2026

  4. [4] BMW parts catalogue (ETK) — F20 125i N20: timing and valve train, timing chain

    bmwfans.info (copy of the BMW ETK parts catalogue) · EN · Europe · Group 11 · timing chain · Accessed 08/10/2026

  5. [5] BMW Betriebsanleitung — Der BMW 1er (Online-Version für Sach-Nr. 01 40 2 956 470)

    BMW AG (copy hosted by kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Germany · deutsch X/14 · p. 71 (Servicebedarf) · pp. 166–169 (Motoröl, freigegebene Motorölsorten) · pp. 172–174 (Wartung: CBS, Übersicht Wartungsumfänge) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  6. [6] BMW UK Technical data — 2 Series Coupé [F22], March 2014

    BMW Group UK · EN · United Kingdom · Engine type (N20B20U0, N55B30O0, N47D20U1, N47D20O1, N47D20T1), output, torque, gearbox, “Engine oil — exchange quantity” · Accessed 08/10/2026

  7. [7] 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

  8. [8] 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

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