Overview
The story
BMW built the N20 from 2011 and the B48 began replacing it in 2014. It has an aluminum block and a single twin-scroll turbo. A published reference
Specs
Versions
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2.0L turbo N20 A published reference
181 hp in the F30 320i
In F30 BMW 3 Series, 2013–2018; F30 BMW 3 Series, 2012–2016; F32 BMW 4 Series, 2014–2016; F10 BMW 5 Series, 2012–2016; F25 BMW X3, 2013–2017; F15 BMW X5, 2016–2018; E89 BMW Z4, 2012–2016
Figures
- Displacement: 2.0L (1,997 cc) A published reference
- Bore × stroke: 84 × 90.1 mm A published reference
Watch out
Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.
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Plastic timing chain guides that fail Early N20s, in 2012–2015 models
Check: Listen for a whine or rattle from the timing chain, and ask whether the chain and guides were replaced.
Thousands of early N20s were built with faulty plastic timing chain guides, the chain can then jump teeth and wreck the engine, and owners filed a class action in 2017. CarComplaints.com reports that the settlement, given final approval in 2021, covers 2012–2015 BMWs with the N20 and N26, among them the 320i and 328i. A published reference, owners' reports (unofficial)
Owning
Maintenance
No service schedule is added yet.
What owners and buyers say
No source singles out a version yet, for good or bad.