BMW 228i (F22) engine: which one, problems and replacement

The BMW 228i in the first 2 Series coupé generation (F22, built 2014–2021) was built with one engine, the N20B20: a 2.0 L petrol inline-4 with 245 hp.

This guide tells you which engine your 228i has, what goes wrong with it, what a replacement costs from our stock and what else to plan for when you fit one.

• Generation: first 2 Series coupé, 2014–2021
• Body styles: F22 (coupé)
• Engines: N20B20
• Output: 245 hp
• Replacement engines in stock: 305 from 1.420,00 €

Which engine is in your 228i?

N20B20 in the 228i

The N20B20 was used in the F22 228i, built 2011–2017. It is a 2.0 L turbocharged petrol inline-4 with 245 hp and 350 Nm.

Reading the code: N marks an N-series code, the generation of BMW engines introduced from 2001; 20 is the family number; B stands for petrol (from the German Benzin); 20 is the capacity in decilitres, so 2.0 litres.

228i engines by model year

The 228i kept the same engine for the whole F22 run, which makes ordering simple: any unit with the same code fits, subject to the gearbox, drive type and sump.

Other cars with the same engine as the 228i

A replacement engine does not have to come from another 228i. These models left the factory with the same engine code, so a unit from any of them is a candidate donor once the sump, mounts and ancillaries are matched to your car.

N20B20: BMW F30 328i, BMW F10 528i, BMW F25 X3 28i, BMW E84 X1 28i.

How to confirm your engine code

The 228i only used the N20B20, but the exact version can still change with the build date, gearbox and market. Send us the last seven characters of the VIN and we read the engine code from BMW's records, or look for the code stamped on the block. How to find your BMW engine code.

Known 228i engine problems

The N20B20 in the 228i shares the known weak points of the N20 and N26 family. Full N20 and N26 guide.

Timing chain guide. Plastic guides in early N20 engines can break, leading to chain slap and engine damage. Updated parts fixed the issue.

Oil pump drive chain. The oil pump drive also uses a chain and guide that wear.

Electric water pump. The electric pump fails without warning.

Oil filter housing and valve cover gaskets. Both leak with age.

Carbon build-up. Direct injection causes carbon on intake valves.

Symptoms to watch for on the 228i

Rattle for a few seconds after a cold start. The classic sign of a weak timing chain tensioner or stretched chain. It must be checked quickly: a chain that jumps a tooth can bend valves.

Rattle or whine from the gearbox end. On engines with the timing chain at the rear, a rattle or whine from the back of the engine is the warning sign of chain stretch or guide wear.

Whistle, loss of boost or limp mode. A split charge pipe, a sticking wastegate or worn turbo bearings. Check the pipes first, then the turbo shaft for play.

Poor low-down torque and uneven idle. VANOS seals or solenoids. The engine may run well at high revs but feel flat and lumpy at low speed.

Limp mode with a Valvetronic fault. The Valvetronic motor, its eccentric shaft sensor or the wiring. The engine runs on a reduced throttle until it is repaired.

Long cranking before the engine starts. On direct-injection engines, a weak high-pressure fuel pump or leaking injector lets pressure drop when the engine is off.

Looking after the 228i engine

• Oil: 0W-30 or 5W-30 BMW Longlife-01, about 5.25 litres.
• Service interval: Oil every 10,000 to 15,000 km.
• Timing drive: Timing chain at the rear (gearbox end).
• Workshop notes: Replacing the chain on an N20 normally needs the engine out, so a used unit is the time to do it.

Buying a used engine for the 228i: checklist

1. Look at the oil and coolant. Clean oil without metal particles and coolant without oil are good signs. Milky oil, oily coolant or a burnt smell mean the engine needs further checks before it is fitted.
2. Photographs from every side. Good suppliers photograph the actual engine you will receive. Look for the block stamp, the sump, the timing cover and any broken brackets or connectors in the pictures.
3. Why your old engine failed. Before fitting a replacement, find out why the original failed. An overheating radiator, a blocked intercooler or a failed turbo can destroy a second engine if they are not fixed.
4. Compression or leak-down figures. Even compression across all cylinders tells you more than mileage. Ask for the figures, not just a pass or fail, and compare the highest and lowest readings: a spread above 10 to 15 percent deserves a question.
5. Sump, oil pickup and drive variants. Rear-drive, xDrive and front-drive cars can use different sumps, oil pickups and engine mounts even with the same engine code. Check that the sump matches your subframe and front axle.
6. Turbocharger shaft play and oil. Rotate the compressor wheel by hand. A small amount of side play is normal; in-and-out play or wheel contact with the housing is not. Oil pooled in the intake or intercooler pipes points to worn seals.
7. Timing chain noise. Listen for a rattle at the front of the engine for the first seconds after a cold start. On an engine that cannot be run, look at the chain guides through the oil filler or with the valve cover off.
8. Gearbox-end timing chain. On this engine the timing chain sits at the gearbox end, so replacing it normally means removing the engine. If the chain has not been replaced, the time to do it is before the engine goes into your car.
9. VANOS operation. Rough idle, a rattle from the front of the head and a loss of torque at low revs point to VANOS seals or solenoids. These are serviceable parts and are easier to renew with the engine out.
10. Double VANOS units and solenoids. Ask for the adaptation values or fault history if the engine was running. Solenoids are inexpensive and are often replaced as a matter of course on a used engine.
11. Valvetronic motor and eccentric shaft sensor. The Valvetronic motor and its sensor cause limp-mode faults when they fail. Inspect the connector and the seal around the motor for oil.
12. Injectors and high-pressure fuel pump. Direct-injection engines rely on high-pressure pumps and precise injectors. Ask whether the injectors are original or updated and whether there were fuel pressure faults.
13. Electric water pump. This engine uses an electric water pump. It fails without warning and needs a diagnostic bleeding routine when it is replaced or the system is refilled.

BMW 228i replacement engine cost

Across 305 228i engine units in our stock today, prices start at 1.420,00 € and reach 3.372,00 €. The median — the price in the middle of the range — is 2.618,00 €.

Prices depend on the exact version, the donor's mileage, how complete the engine is and the demand for that code. Higher-output versions, low mileage and dressed engines with turbo, injectors and ancillaries cost more; long blocks and higher mileage cost less.

228i engine prices by model year

Engines from 2010–2014 have a median of 2.624,00 €, while units from 2015–2019 sit at 2.616,00 €. Newer engines usually cost more because they come from younger donor cars with lower mileage and later updates.

228i engine prices by mileage

Mileage matters less than history on a well-maintained BMW engine, but it is a useful guide. A low-mileage unit from a younger car gives you more life for a modest premium.

1 of these come from F22 donor cars, priced from 2.086,00 €. An engine from the same body is the most direct swap because the sump, mounts and ancillaries already match.

On top of the engine, budget for the workshop's labour and the parts that are best replaced while the engine is out: engine mounts, the rear main seal, cooling parts, a clutch or converter seal, fluids and filters.

Replacement engines in stock for the 228i

Here is a selection of 228i engines currently on our shelves, photographed in the yard. Click any of them for the full photographs, mileage and specification.

BMW F30 328i N20B20 Engine 2017, 22,200 km2.411,00 €BMW F30 328i N20B20 Engine 2013, 150,900 km3.041,00 €BMW F10 528i N20B20 Engine 2011, 84,000 km2.889,00 €BMW F10 528i N20B20 Engine 2014, 152,900 km2.587,00 €BMW F10 528i N20B20 Engine 2011, 57,800 km3.188,00 €BMW F32 428i N20B20 Engine 2013, 102,700 km2.662,00 €BMW F25 X3 xDrive28i N20B20 Engine 2017, 172,200 km2.883,00 €BMW F32 428i N20B20 Engine 2012, 184,300 km2.337,00 €BMW F32 428i N20B20 Engine 2012, 127,700 km2.613,00 €BMW F25 X3 xDrive28i N20B20 Engine 2011, 153,900 km3.178,00 €BMW F30 328i N20B20 Engine 2016, 197,200 km3.076,00 €BMW F25 X3 xDrive28i N20B20 Engine 2017, 84,200 km2.824,00 €

BMW F30 328i N20B20 Engine 2017, 22,200 km — 2.411,00 €, reduced from 3.100,00 €. It comes from a 2017 donor car with 22,200 km, and 14 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW F30 328i N20B20 Engine 2013, 150,900 km — 3.041,00 €, reduced from 3.700,00 €. It comes from a 2013 donor car with 150,900 km, and 7 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F10 528i N20B20 Engine 2011, 84,000 km — 2.889,00 €, reduced from 3.600,00 €. It comes from a 2011 donor car with 84,000 km, and 27 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW F10 528i N20B20 Engine 2014, 152,900 km — 2.587,00 €, reduced from 3.550,00 €. It comes from a 2014 donor car with 152,900 km, and 18 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW F10 528i N20B20 Engine 2011, 57,800 km — 3.188,00 €, reduced from 4.150,00 €. It comes from a 2011 donor car with 57,800 km, and 12 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F32 428i N20B20 Engine 2013, 102,700 km — 2.662,00 €, reduced from 3.550,00 €. It comes from a 2013 donor car with 102,700 km, and 17 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW F25 X3 xDrive28i N20B20 Engine 2017, 172,200 km — 2.883,00 €, reduced from 3.800,00 €. It comes from a 2017 donor car with 172,200 km, and 27 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F32 428i N20B20 Engine 2012, 184,300 km — 2.337,00 €, reduced from 3.550,00 €. It comes from a 2012 donor car with 184,300 km, and 24 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F32 428i N20B20 Engine 2012, 127,700 km — 2.613,00 €, reduced from 3.700,00 €. It comes from a 2012 donor car with 127,700 km, and 14 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW F25 X3 xDrive28i N20B20 Engine 2011, 153,900 km — 3.178,00 €, reduced from 3.750,00 €. It comes from a 2011 donor car with 153,900 km, and 16 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW F30 328i N20B20 Engine 2016, 197,200 km — 3.076,00 €, reduced from 4.300,00 €. It comes from a 2016 donor car with 197,200 km, and 29 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW F25 X3 xDrive28i N20B20 Engine 2017, 84,200 km — 2.824,00 €, reduced from 3.600,00 €. It comes from a 2017 donor car with 84,200 km, and 25 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

Will it fit my 228i?

Will the N20B20 fit my BMW F22 228i?

The N20B20 is the original engine for the BMW F22 228i, which makes it the straightforward choice. The first 2 Series coupé was built 2014–2021, and the N20B20 was produced 2011–2017, so check that your car's build date falls inside that window. Confirm the drive type (rear-drive or xDrive), the gearbox (manual or automatic) and the emissions standard, because these can change the sump, the flywheel and the software. Send us the VIN and we check all of it for you.

How much is a replacement engine for a BMW F22 228i?

We have 1 N20B20 engine from F22 donor cars, priced from 2.086,00 €. Delivery to your door is included, and the engine carries a 12-month warranty when fitted by a qualified workshop. Add fitting labour and the parts you replace at the same time — seals, cooling parts and mounts — to estimate the total.

Engine swaps and upgrades for the 228i

These engines were fitted to other versions of the F22 at the factory, which makes them the most practical upgrades: the body was designed around them and many parts are shared.

Can I fit the N55B30 in my 228i?

It is a conversion rather than a replacement: the N55B30 is an inline-6 and your N20B20 an inline-4, so mounts, sump, cooling, exhaust, wiring and the engine control unit all change. The gain is 61 hp and 50 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Can I fit the N55B30O0 in my 228i?

It is a conversion rather than a replacement: the N55B30O0 is an inline-6 and your N20B20 an inline-4, so mounts, sump, cooling, exhaust, wiring and the engine control unit all change. The gain is 81 hp and 100 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Can I fit the S55B30T0 in my 228i?

It is a conversion rather than a replacement: the S55B30T0 is an inline-6 and your N20B20 an inline-4, so mounts, sump, cooling, exhaust, wiring and the engine control unit all change. The gain is 125 hp and 115 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Fitting a replacement engine in the 228i

1. Inspect or replace the timing chain parts. Look at the guides and tensioner. On high-mileage engines, replacing them now costs far less than doing it later.
2. Replace the rear timing chain if in doubt. On engines with the chain at the gearbox end, chain work needs the engine out. If the history is unknown, replace the chain, guides and tensioner before fitting.
3. Prepare the turbo. Fit new oil feed and return seals, clean the intercooler and pipes of any oil or debris from the old engine, and prime the turbo with oil before starting.
4. Reset VANOS adaptations. Clear the VANOS adaptations so the ECU learns the camshaft positions of the new engine.
5. Teach the Valvetronic limit stops. Run the Valvetronic learning routine so the ECU knows the eccentric shaft limits.
6. Fill with the right oil and prime it. Fill with new oil of the correct specification and a new filter. Crank with the fuel and ignition disabled until oil pressure builds.
7. Coding and adaptations. On modern BMWs, the engine ECU must be matched to the car's immobiliser (CAS, FEM or BDC). Reset adaptations, register the battery and clear faults with diagnostic software.
8. First start and leak check. Start the engine, let it idle and watch oil pressure, temperature and fault codes. Check for leaks and bleed the cooling system.
9. First 1,000 km. Drive gently for the first few hundred kilometres, vary the engine speed and avoid full load. Change the oil and filter after about 1,000 km to remove any assembly debris.

The full fitting and first-start procedure.

228i engine questions

How much is a replacement N26B20 engine for a BMW F22 228i?

A used N26B20 for the BMW F22 228i costs from about 2.050 € to 3.350 € in our yard. The price depends on the year, the mileage and the parts that come with the engine.

Shipping is a flat 249 € per order. It is added once at checkout and printed on the invoice, so there is no extra fee later. Inside the EU there is no import duty. Outside the EU, the receiver pays local duty and VAT.

A replacement engine is often much cheaper than rebuilding a damaged one, and much faster. The N26B20 you buy is photographed and checked in Hamburg before it is listed.

Eligible engines come with a 12 months warranty from the delivery date. It covers internal mechanical failure under normal use and correct fitting by a qualified mechanic or workshop. Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.

See all N26 Engines · Search N26B20 in the shop

Will the N26B20 engine fit my BMW F22 228i?

Yes, if your BMW F22 228i was built with the N26B20. BMW used this 2.0 liter (1,997 cc) petrol engine with 180 kW (245 HP) in the F22 228i from about 2012 to 2016.

In our records the N26B20 is the engine for the F22 228i, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.

Also tell us if your F22 has a manual or an automatic gearbox. The flywheel or the flex plate and some sensors depend on it.

Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.

See all N26 Engines · Search N26B20 in the shop

Delivery, warranty and payment

Every 228i engine we sell is drained, sealed at each opening, strapped to a heat-treated pallet and shrink-wrapped before it leaves Hamburg. You receive photographs of the packed engine and a tracking number.

Delivery is door to door and included in the price. Most European addresses receive the engine within five to ten working days; Germany and its neighbours are usually faster.

A 12-month warranty covers eligible internal failure when the engine is fitted by a qualified workshop with new fluids and filters. You can pay by card, bank transfer or crypto and receive the invoice by email straight away.

All F22 engines · N20 and N26 engine guide · Send us your VIN