BMW 1er E87
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
306 PS
3.0L Biturbo Benzin
The Original Biturbo Six
Fun to Drive!306 PS
3.0L Biturbo Benzin
11 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Overview
The BMW 1er E87 is available with 9 engine variants — from 90 to 306 hp. 8 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The BMW 116d (Diesel, 90–122 PS) comes with 3 different engines: N47D20 (2009–2011, Stay Away!) und N47D20 (2009–2011, Stay Away!) und N47D20 (2009–2011, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 116d!
The BMW 118d (Diesel, 136–143 PS) comes with 3 different engines: N47D20 (2007–2011, Stay Away!) und N47D20 (2007–2011, Stay Away!) und N47D20 (2007–2011, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 118d!
The BMW 120d (Diesel, 163–184 PS) comes with 3 different engines: M47TUD20 (2004–2007, Stay Away!) und N47D20 (2007–2011, Stay Away!) und N47D20 (2007–2011, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 120d!
The BMW 123d (Diesel, 197–204 PS) comes with 3 different engines: N47D20 (2007–2011, Stay Away!) und N47D20 (2007–2011, Stay Away!) und N47D20 (2007–2011, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 123d!
The BMW 116i (Benziner, 115–122 PS) comes with 7 different engines: N45B16 (2004–2007, Be Careful) und N45B16 (2004–2007, Be Careful) und N46B20 (2004–2011, Be Careful) und N46B20 (2004–2011, Be Careful) und N46B20 (2004–2011, Be Careful) und N43B16 (2007–2011, Stay Away!) und N43B16 (2007–2011, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 116i!
The BMW 118i (Benziner, 129–143 PS) comes with 6 different engines: N46B20 (2004–2007, Be Careful) und N46B20 (2004–2007, Be Careful) und N46B20 (2004–2011, Be Careful) und N46B20 (2004–2011, Be Careful) und N43B20 (2007–2011, Stay Away!) und N43B20 (2007–2011, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 118i!
The BMW 120i (Benziner, 150–170 PS) comes with 6 different engines: N46B20 (2004–2007, Be Careful) und N46B20 (2004–2007, Be Careful) und N43B20 (2007–2011, Stay Away!) und N43B20 (2007–2011, Stay Away!) und N43B20 (2007–2011, Stay Away!) und N43B20 (2007–2011, Stay Away!). Pay attention to the model year for the 120i!
The BMW 125i (Benziner, 218 PS) has the N52B30 (3.0L Magnesium) — rated: "Be Careful", 5 known weaknesses.
The BMW 130i (Benziner, 258–272 PS) comes with 2 different engines: N52B30 (2005–2011, Be Careful) und N52B30 (2005–2011, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 130i!
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension springs break Broken suspension springs and rusty spring perches are frequently flagged on the E87 per TÜV reports. Worn track rod ends are also a known defect. Affects both front and rear axle. Symptoms: Car leans to one side, cracking noises over bumps, crooked stance, uneven tyre wear. from 100,000 km | Medium | |
| Rear control arm rubber bushings worn Rubber bushings on the rear control arms lose their elasticity. Camber change and MOT failure possible. Replace both sides simultaneously. Symptoms: Clunking or thumping over bumps; uneven tyre wear; car pulls under braking; handling deteriorates. from 100,000 km | Low |
Top Reported Issues
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Known Problems and Issues
A total of 58 weaknesses have been documented for the BMW 1er E87 (2004–2011) — 51 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. 5 problem engines: M47TUD20 (2.0L Diesel), N43B20 (2.0L DI), N54B30 (3.0L Biturbo), N47D20 (2.0L Diesel), N43B16 (1.6L DI). Typical issues affect Suspension, Brakes, Electronics, Rust.
1er (M47TUD20, 2004–2007) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches, Swirl flaps break off and fall into the engine, Cylinder head cracks (M47TU variant). Power: 163 PS.
1er (N47D20, 2007–2011) — Stay Away!: Timing chain breaks — known serial defect, Water pump defective — overheating risk, High-pressure pump failure — metal swarf in the system. Power: 136–150 PS.
1er (N47D20, 2007–2011) — Stay Away!: Timing chain breaks — known serial defect, Water pump defective — overheating risk, High-pressure pump failure — metal swarf in the system. Power: 177–184 PS.
1er (N47D20, 2007–2011) — Stay Away!: Timing chain breaks — known serial defect, Water pump defective — overheating risk, High-pressure pump failure — metal swarf in the system. Power: 197–204 PS.
1er (N47D20, 2007–2011) — Stay Away!: Timing chain breaks — known serial defect, Water pump defective — overheating risk, High-pressure pump failure — metal swarf in the system. Power: 136–143 PS.
1er (N47D20, 2009–2011) — Stay Away!: Timing chain breaks — known serial defect, Water pump defective — overheating risk, High-pressure pump failure — metal swarf in the system. Power: 116–121 PS.
1er (N47D20, 2009–2011) — Stay Away!: Timing chain breaks — known serial defect, Water pump defective — overheating risk, High-pressure pump failure — metal swarf in the system. Power: 90 PS.
1er (N45B16, 2004–2007) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretched / chain tensioner defective, Timing chain guide and tensioner worn, Eccentric shaft sensor (Valvetronic) failure. Power: 116–122 PS.
1er (N46B20, 2004–2007) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretched / chain tensioner defective, Valvetronic eccentric shaft / actuator motor defective, VANOS solenoid valve defective. Power: 129–136 PS.
1er (N46B20, 2004–2007) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretched / chain tensioner defective, Valvetronic eccentric shaft / actuator motor defective, VANOS solenoid valve defective. Power: 143–156 PS.
1er (N46B20, 2004–2011) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretched / chain tensioner defective, Valvetronic eccentric shaft / actuator motor defective, VANOS solenoid valve defective. Power: 129–143 PS.
1er (N46B20, 2004–2011) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretched / chain tensioner defective, Valvetronic eccentric shaft / actuator motor defective, VANOS solenoid valve defective. Power: 121–129 PS.
1er (N46B20, 2004–2011) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretched / chain tensioner defective, Valvetronic eccentric shaft / actuator motor defective, VANOS solenoid valve defective. Power: 121–122 PS.
1er (N52B30, 2005–2011) — Be Careful: Electric water pump defective, Oil filter housing gasket — oil into coolant, Eccentric shaft sensor (Valvetronic) failure. Power: 258–272 PS.
1er (N43B20, 2007–2011) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretched — critical issue, Timing chain stretches — guide rails crumble, Piezo injectors wearing out — full set replacement required. Power: 136–150 PS.
1er (N43B20, 2007–2011) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretched — critical issue, Timing chain stretches — guide rails crumble, Piezo injectors wearing out — full set replacement required. Power: 163–170 PS.
1er (N43B20, 2007–2011) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretched — critical issue, Timing chain stretches — guide rails crumble, Piezo injectors wearing out — full set replacement required. Power: 156–170 PS.
1er (N43B16, 2007–2011) — Stay Away!: Timing chain stretches — guide rail breaks, Direct injection injectors fouled or defective, High-pressure pump fails — fuel pressure drop. Power: 116–122 PS.
1er (N52B30, 2008–2011) — Be Careful: Electric water pump defective, Oil filter housing gasket — oil into coolant, Eccentric shaft sensor (Valvetronic) failure. Power: 218 PS.
1er (N54B30, 2008–2010) — Stay Away!: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure, Injector failure (index < 10), Turbocharger bearing failure. Power: 306 PS.
What to watch out for with the BMW 1er? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee