BMW 1er E88
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
306–360 PS
3.0L Turbo Benzin
RWD, Manual, Compact — Never Coming Back
Fun to Drive!306 PS
3.0L Biturbo Benzin
11 weaknesses
Stay Away!Generations
Engine Ratings
Explore more
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Convertible roof hydraulic pump failed The Power Packer hydraulic pump for the folding roof wears out through oil ageing and relay wear. Operation becomes sluggish — the roof opens/closes extremely slowly or gets stuck mid-travel. Symptoms: Roof moves very slowly or not at all. Hood stops in an intermediate position, warning light flashes continuously. from 100,000 km | High |
Alternatives
Known Problems and Issues
A total of 81 weaknesses have been documented for the BMW 1er E88 (2008–2013) — 75 engine-related and 6 vehicle-related. 5 problem engines: N43B20 (2.0L DI), N20B20 (2.0L Turbo), N54B30 (3.0L Biturbo), N47D20 (2.0L Diesel), N43B16 (1.6L DI). Typical issues affect Other, Body, Rust, Electronics.
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 (N47D20, 2011–2015) — Stay Away!: Timing chain breaks — known serial defect, Water pump defective — overheating risk, High-pressure pump failure — metal swarf in the system. Power: 177–190 PS.
1er (N47D20, 2012–2015) — Stay Away!: Timing chain breaks — known serial defect, Water pump defective — overheating risk, High-pressure pump failure — metal swarf in the system. Power: 211–224 PS.
1er (B47D20, 2012–2015) — Be Careful: Timing chain elongation on early models (2014–2016), EGR cooler leak with fire risk (recall), DPF clogging with short-trip use. Power: 116 PS.
1er (N47D16, 2012–2015) — Be Careful: Timing chain wear, Timing chain guide rails break (N47 issue), EGR cooler fire risk (recall KBA 008124). Power: 95 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.
1er (N13B16, 2011–2015) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretch, Turbo oil supply line — O-rings defective, Piston rings and valve stem seals worn. Power: 136 PS.
1er (N13B16, 2011–2015) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretch, Turbo oil supply line — O-rings defective, Piston rings and valve stem seals worn. Power: 170–177 PS.
1er (N13B16, 2012–2015) — Be Careful: Timing chain stretch, Turbo oil supply line — O-rings defective, Piston rings and valve stem seals worn. Power: 102 PS.
1er (N20B20, 2012–2016) — Stay Away!: Timing chain and oil pump chain, Electric water pump failure, Oil pump chain / oil pump sprocket defective. Power: 238 PS.
1er (N55B30, 2012–2016) — Be Careful: Bearing wear from neglected maintenance, Electric water pump failure, High oil consumption. Power: 326 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