Known faults for the BMW Serie 1 (E81/E82/E87/E88).

Engine / equipment

N43 four-cylinder petrol (116i, 118i, 120i E87 and 318i, 320i E90, 2007–2011) and N13 (114i, 116i, 118i F20 and 316i F30, 2011–2016)

Period mentioned

2007–2016

Symptoms

Chain rattle on cold starts, VANOS engine light, rising oil consumption and, in severe cases, the engine seizing with no prior warning.

Possible cause described

On the N43 the plastic chain guides break and their debris can block the oil pump strainer, starving the engine of oil. On the N13 the chain stretches and the tensioner fails (BMW improved it on later engines), and the turbo diverter valve, the valve cover ventilation membrane and the VANOS solenoids also fail.

Check for the garage

Listen to a cold start, check the oil filler cap for plastic debris and read VANOS codes.

Cost cited in the source

Chain kit: several hundred to over a thousand euros depending on the garage; a seized engine, far moreA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

FRM3 footwell module (lights, indicators and windows): 1 Series E81 to E88, 3 Series E90 to E93, X1 E84, Z4 E89, X5 E70, X6 E71 and E72 and MINI R55 to R61

Period mentioned

2004–2015

Symptoms

After a flat battery, a battery change or disconnection, or a jump start: lights, indicators or windows stop working, side or dipped lights stay on and diagnostics cannot communicate with the module (for example code 00A3C1).

Possible cause described

The module's EEPROM gets corrupted by low or unstable voltage: a flat battery, jump starting, overcharging from a faulty alternator or loose terminals. It is a module software fault, not a wiring fault.

Check for the garage

Check the battery and charging and try communicating with ISTA. If the module does not respond, it can be repaired by rewriting its EEPROM (specialist services or programmers) instead of being replaced, then coded. Use a voltage maintainer when working on the car.

Cost cited in the source

Repair by a specialist service: from about €20–60 plus postage; new module with dealer coding: considerably moreA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

M47TU 2.0 diesel with swirl flaps (318d/320d E46 from 2001, 118d/120d E87, 320d E90 and 520d E60 until 2007, X3 2.0d)

Period mentioned

2001–2007

Symptoms

Loss of power, smoke or knocking, often with no prior warning: one of the flaps comes loose and drops into the cylinder.

Possible cause described

The small swirl flaps in the intake manifold work loose with vibration and can break off into the cylinder, damaging the piston, valves and turbo. BMW strengthened the flaps in 2006.

Check for the garage

Check whether they have already been removed or replaced with blanking plugs and inspect the intake manifold.

Cost cited in the source

€4,000–6,000 if the failure damages the engine; prevention costs far lessA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

N47 2.0 diesel (116d–123d, 316d–325d, 520d, X1/X3 18d-20d)

Period mentioned

2007–2015 (improved from 2011)

Symptoms

Rattling from the rear of the engine (gearbox side) on a cold start, getting worse over time. In extreme cases the engine cuts out while driving.

Possible cause described

The timing chain sits at the rear of the engine; its guides are poorly lubricated and the chain stretches. If it jumps or snaps, the valves hit the pistons and the engine is destroyed.

Check for the garage

Listen with the engine fully cold, ideally with a mechanic's stethoscope on the rear of the block.

Cost cited in the source

Approx. €2,000–4,000 at an independent garage (engine must come out)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

BMW petrol engines with an electric water pump: N52, N53, N54, N55, N20 and others from 2004–2016

Period mentioned

2004–2016

Symptoms

Temperature warning and limited power with no prior warning (water pump); burning oil smell or smoke from leaks onto the exhaust or belt; rough idle and VANOS codes (2A82, 2A87).

Possible cause described

The water pump is electric and its electronics fail, often without warning, between 95,000 and 160,000 km. The valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets harden and leak; the latter can drip onto the belt. The VANOS solenoids get dirty and fail.

Check for the garage

Check the water pump and thermostat history, look for leaks at the valve cover and oil filter housing, and read VANOS codes.

Cost cited in the source

Water pump: approx. €550–1,100 fitted; oil filter housing gasket: €275–550; valve cover: €370–740 (converted from dollars)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 95,000–160,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

N54 3.0 twin-turbo (135i E82/E88, 335i E90-E93 until 2010, 535i, 1 M Coupé, Z4 35i)

Period mentioned

2006–2013

Symptoms

Long cranking, hesitation, engine light and limp mode (high-pressure pump); metallic rattle at idle or between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm and low boost (wastegates); misfires from injectors.

Possible cause described

Faulty high-pressure fuel pump (BMW extended its US warranty to 10 years or 120,000 miles for 2007–2010), worn turbo wastegate bushings and piezo injectors with many revisions.

Check for the garage

Read fuel pressure and boost codes, listen at idle and confirm by VIN that the revised pump is fitted.

Cost cited in the source

High-pressure pump: approx. €500–1,000 (estimate); two turbos for the wastegates: the most expensive repairA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database