BMW 1er F40
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
136–306 PS
2.0L Turbo Benzin
Solid Turbo Petrol
DecentGenerations
Engine Overview
The BMW 1er F40 is available with 9 engine variants — from 102 to 306 hp. 3 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
The BMW 116d (Diesel, 116 PS) has the B47D20 (2.0L Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
The BMW 118d (Diesel, 149–150 PS) comes with 2 different engines: B47D20 (2019–2024, Be Careful) und B47D20 (2019–2024, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 118d!
The BMW 120d xDrive (Diesel, 190 PS) has the B47D20 (2.0L Diesel) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
The BMW 116i (Benziner, 109 PS) has the B38B15 (1.5L 3-Zyl Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 7 known weaknesses.
The BMW 118i (Benziner, 136–140 PS) comes with 3 different engines: B38B15 (2019–2024, Be Careful) und B38B15 (2019–2024, Be Careful) und B48B20 (2019–2024, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 118i!
The BMW 120i (Benziner, 178–184 PS) comes with 2 different engines: B48B20 (2019–2024, Be Careful) und B48B20 (2019–2024, Be Careful). Pay attention to the model year for the 120i!
The BMW 128ti (Benziner, 265 PS) has the B48B20 (2.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
The BMW M135i (Benziner, 300 PS) has the B48B20 (2.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
The BMW M135i xDrive (Benziner, 306 PS) has the B48B20 (2.0L Turbo) — rated: "Be Careful", 6 known weaknesses.
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Interior quality criticised Windscreen wipers squeak loudly when in use, loose door seals, and generally criticised interior quality given the price point. Minor connectivity and software issues with CarPlay/Bluetooth. Symptoms: Loud wiper squeak, loose seals when closing doors, Bluetooth dropouts or CarPlay connection errors. from 30,000 km | Low |
Alternatives
Audi RS3 8Y
Kompaktklasse (2021–2025)
Honda Civic FL
Kompaktklasse (2021–2024)
Kia EV6 CV
Kompaktklasse (2021–2024)
Mercedes-Benz C-Klasse W206
Kompaktklasse (2021–2025)
Audi A3 8Y
Kompaktklasse (2020–2024)
Audi S3 8Y
Kompaktklasse (2020–2025)
Known Problems and Issues
A total of 26 weaknesses have been documented for the BMW 1er F40 (2019–2024) — 19 engine-related and 7 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Interior, Brakes, Gearbox, Suspension.
1er (B47D20, 2019–2024) — 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 (B47D20, 2019–2024) — Be Careful: Timing chain elongation on early models (2014–2016), EGR cooler leak with fire risk (recall), DPF clogging with short-trip use. Power: 149–150 PS.
1er (B47D20, 2019–2024) — Be Careful: Timing chain elongation on early models (2014–2016), EGR cooler leak with fire risk (recall), DPF clogging with short-trip use. Power: 190 PS.
1er (B38B15, 2019–2024) — Be Careful: Timing chain elongation, Crankshaft bearing half-shell undersized (early production), Turbocharger shaft seal leaking — oil consumption. Power: 109 PS.
1er (B38B15, 2019–2026) — Be Careful: Timing chain elongation, Crankshaft bearing half-shell undersized (early production), Turbocharger shaft seal leaking — oil consumption. Power: 135–140 PS.
1er (B48B20, 2019–2024) — Be Careful: Timing chain guide rail breaks, Oil filter housing leaking — coolant loss, Coolant bleed line at cylinder head breaks. Power: 140 PS.
1er (B48B20, 2019–2024) — Be Careful: Timing chain guide rail breaks, Oil filter housing leaking — coolant loss, Coolant bleed line at cylinder head breaks. Power: 178–184 PS.
1er (B48B20, 2019–2024) — Be Careful: Timing chain guide rail breaks, Oil filter housing leaking — coolant loss, Coolant bleed line at cylinder head breaks. Power: 306 PS.
1er (B48B20, 2020–2024) — Be Careful: Timing chain guide rail breaks, Oil filter housing leaking — coolant loss, Coolant bleed line at cylinder head breaks. Power: 265 PS.
1er (B48B20, 2023–2026) — Be Careful: Timing chain guide rail breaks, Oil filter housing leaking — coolant loss, Coolant bleed line at cylinder head breaks. Power: 300 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
What problems and weaknesses does the BMW 1er F40 have? +
What should I look for when buying a used BMW 1er F40? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which BMW 1er F40 engine is the most fun? +
Is the BMW 1er F40 worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the BMW 1er F40? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee