Timing chain guides (plastic)
usually 80,000–160,000 km · High risk
Signs: Whine at 2,000–3,000 rpm
Fix: Replace chain, guides, oil pump chain
€1,500–3,000
Engine: common problems, timing drive and oil
2.0 petrol (BMW N20)
Petrol · 1,997 cm³ · 115–180 kW
9
model generations
2
known faults
150,000
new cars in the EU (2010–2025)
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
Fuel: Petrol. Timing drive: chain.
In our database this engine is fitted to 9 model generations, among them: BMW 3 Series (F30), BMW 4 Series (F32), BMW Z4 (E89), BMW 5 Series (F10), BMW X1 (E84), BMW 1 Series (F20) and 3 more.
The most expensive known risk is timing chain guides (plastic): it usually appears at 80,000–160,000 km and costs €1,500–3,000 to fix.
Key facts
| Fuel | Petrol |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,997 cm³ |
| Power | 115–180 kW |
| Years | 2011–2017 |
| Timing drive | Chain |
| Oil | 5W-30 / 0W-30 · BMW LL-01 · ~5.0 L · every 15,000 km |
| Engine codes | N20B20 |
Known engine faults
Faults that belong to the engine itself. They apply to every model with this engine, and each model has its own extra faults on its model page.
Oil filter housing gasket leak
usually 100,000–160,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Oil smell, drips onto the belt
Fix: Replace gasket
€250–600
Engine-related service
Intervals and typical prices, using the BMW 3 Series (F30) as an example. The app gives the exact plan for your car.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Spark plugsIgnition | every 60,000 km or every 48 months | €50–160 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
Models with this engine
Model generations this engine is fitted to.
BMW 1 Series (F20) 2011–2019BMW 2 Series Coupé (F22) 2014–2021BMW 3 Series (F30) 2012–2019BMW 4 Series (F32) 2013–2020BMW 5 Series (F10) 2010–2017BMW X1 (E84) 2009–2015BMW X3 (F25) 2010–2017BMW X4 (F26) 2014–2018BMW Z4 (E89) 2009–2016
Common questions
Does the 2.0 petrol (BMW N20) engine have a timing chain or a timing belt?
Chain.
What oil does the 2.0 petrol (BMW N20) engine take?
5W-30 / 0W-30 · BMW LL-01 · ~5.0 L · every 15,000 km.
What are the known problems with the 2.0 petrol (BMW N20) engine?
The faults with the highest risk: timing chain guides (plastic) (80,000–160,000 km, €1,500–3,000); oil filter housing gasket leak (100,000–160,000 km, €250–600).
Which cars have the 2.0 petrol (BMW N20) engine?
BMW 3 Series (F30), BMW 4 Series (F32), BMW Z4 (E89), BMW 5 Series (F10), BMW X1 (E84), BMW 1 Series (F20) and 3 more.
Sources and notes
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles.
Updated 08/10/2026