The N20B16 is a 1.6 L petrol inline-4 from BMW's N20 family, built 2012–2017 and rated at 170 hp and 250 Nm. It powered the BMW F20 120i and BMW F30 320i.
This guide is about the N20B16 specifically: its specification, the cars that use it, how it differs from the other N20 versions, what to check, prices from our stock and fitment answers for each model. For the history of the whole family, read our N20 and N26 guide.
- Capacity and layout: 1.6 L, inline-4, turbocharged
- Output: 170 hp and 250 Nm
- Production: 2012–2017
- Fitted to: 2 models across 2 chassis generations
- In our stock: 3 units from 1.647,00 €
N20B16 specifications
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Engine code | N20B16 |
| Family | N20 |
| Capacity | 1.6 L |
| Layout | Inline-4 |
| Fuel | Petrol |
| Aspiration | Turbocharged |
| Power | 170 hp |
| Torque | 250 Nm |
| Specific output | 106 hp per litre |
| Production | 2012–2017 |
| Models | 2 |
Built from 2012 to 2017, the N20B16 displaces 1.6 L in an inline-4 layout and is turbocharged. It produces 170 hp and 250 Nm on petrol. That is about 106 hp and 156 Nm per litre, a strong figure for a road engine of its era. Within the N20 family, the N20B20 (245 hp) is more powerful. It was fitted to the BMW F20 120i and BMW F30 320i.
What the code N20B16 means
- 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).
- 16 is the capacity in decilitres, so 1.6 litres.
Which BMW models use the N20B16
| Model | Generation | Built |
|---|---|---|
| BMW F20 120i | second 1 Series five-door | 2011–2019 |
| BMW F30 320i | sixth 3 Series | 2011–2019 |
In the F20 second 1 Series five-door (2011–2019), the N20B16 powered the 120i. We have 1 N20B16 unit from F20 donor cars. All F20 engines
In the F30 sixth 3 Series (2011–2019), the N20B16 powered the 320i. We have 1 N20B16 unit from F30 donor cars. All F30 engines
N20B16 compared with other N20 versions
| Code | Capacity | Power | Torque | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| N20B20 | 2.0 L | 245 hp | 350 Nm | 2011–2017 |
| N20B16 | 1.6 L | 170 hp | 250 Nm | 2012–2017 |
N20B16 or N20B20?
The N20B20 has 75 hp more than the N20B16 (245 against 170 hp), from 2.0 L instead of 1.6 L, and was built 2011–2017. A different capacity means a different crankshaft, pistons or head, and different software. It can be fitted as an upgrade with the matching engine control unit and wiring, but it is a conversion rather than a straight replacement.
Common N20B16 problems
The N20B16 shares its weak points with the rest of the N20 family. These are the faults to check on a used unit and on your own engine. The full explanation of each is in the N20 and N26 guide.
| Known fault | What to check |
|---|---|
| Timing chain guide | Listen for a whine or rattle; ask if the updated guides and chain are fitted. |
| Oil pump drive chain | Check oil pressure warnings. |
| Electric water pump | Check for cooling fault codes. |
| Oil filter housing and valve cover gaskets | Look at the exhaust side for oil. |
| Carbon build-up | Borescope inspection. |
Electric water pump. The electric pump fails without warning.
N20B16 maintenance
- 0W-30 or 5W-30 BMW Longlife-01, about 5.25 litres.
- Oil every 10,000 to 15,000 km.
- Timing chain at the rear (gearbox end).
Will the N20B16 fit my car?
Will the N20B16 fit my BMW F20 120i?
The N20B16 is the original engine for the BMW F20 120i, which makes it the straightforward choice. The second 1 Series five-door was built 2011–2019, and the N20B16 was produced 2012–2017, 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 F20 120i?
We have 1 N20B16 engine from F20 donor cars, priced from 3.007,00 €. 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.
Will the N20B16 fit my BMW F30 320i?
The N20B16 is the original engine for the BMW F30 320i, which makes it the straightforward choice. The sixth 3 Series was built 2011–2019, and the N20B16 was produced 2012–2017, 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 F30 320i?
We have 1 N20B16 engine from F30 donor cars, priced from 1.647,00 €. 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.
N20B16 prices
We currently hold 3 N20B16 engines. The cheapest is 1.647,00 €, the most expensive 3.007,00 €, and half of them cost less than 1.668,00 €.
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.
N20B16 engines in stock
Here is a selection of N20B16 engines currently on our shelves, photographed in the yard. Click any of them for the full photographs, mileage and specification.
BMW F20 120i N20B16 Engine, Premium Grade — 3.007,00 €, reduced from 3.600,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 5 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.
BMW F30 320i N20B16 Complete Engine — 1.647,00 €, reduced from 2.200,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 19 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.
Buying a used N20B16: checklist
- 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.
- Warranty terms in writing. Read what the warranty covers, how long it runs and what fitting conditions apply. Most warranties require a qualified workshop, new fluids and filters, and replacement of the cooling parts that caused the original failure.
- Gearbox and flywheel match. Manual and automatic engines differ at the flywheel or flexplate, and sometimes at the crankshaft spigot. Make sure the engine you buy matches your gearbox or that you transfer the right parts.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Questions about the N20B16
Will the N20B20 engine fit my BMW F30 328i?
Yes, if your BMW F30 328i was built with the N20B20. BMW used this 2.0 liter (1,997 cc) petrol engine with 180 kW (245 HP) in the F30 328i from about 2011 to 2017.
In our records the N20B20 is the engine for the F30 328i, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.
Also tell us if your F30 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 N20 Engines · Search N20B20 in the shop
Which cars use the BMW N20B20 engine?
BMW fitted the N20B20 to the BMW F30 328i, BMW F31 328i, BMW F10 528i, BMW F25 X3 xDrive28i, BMW F32 428i, BMW F20 125i and BMW E89 Z4 sDrive28i. These cars were built with this engine from about 2011 to 2017.
The badge on the boot is not enough to be sure. The same model name can hide two different engines, for example after a facelift or a change in emission rules. Always read the engine code stamped on the block, or look it up with your VIN.
The N20B20 is the only N20 version we list, which makes it easy to pick, but the wiring and the engine computer still need to match your car.
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 N20 Engines · Search N20B20 in the shop
Will the N20B20 engine fit my BMW F25 X3 xDrive28i?
Yes, if your BMW F25 X3 xDrive28i was built with the N20B20. BMW used this 2.0 liter (1,997 cc) petrol engine with 180 kW (245 HP) in the F25 X3 xDrive28i from about 2011 to 2017.
In our records the N20B20 is the engine for the F25 X3 xDrive28i, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.
Your car has all-wheel drive or is an X model, so the sump, the oil pickup and some brackets can differ from the rear-drive cars. Tell us the full model so we send the right set-up.
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 N20 Engines · Search N20B20 in the shop
What should I replace when I fit a used N20B20 engine?
A used engine lasts longest when it starts life in your car with fresh fluids and new seals. Fit a new oil filter and fresh oil of the grade BMW lists for this engine, and refill the coolant with the correct BMW antifreeze mix. Clean the intercooler and the intake pipes, and fill the turbo oil feed with clean oil before the first start, so the turbo never runs dry. Change the drive belt, the thermostat and the water pump seals if they look tired, because they are cheap while the engine is out.
Look at the engine mounts and the clutch or the torque converter while the engine is out. Old mounts can crack a new engine's brackets, and a worn clutch is much easier to change now.
Before the first start, turn the engine over without fuel until the oil pressure light goes out. Then let it idle, check for leaks, and drive gently for the first few hundred kilometres.
The warranty asks for fitting by a qualified mechanic and the correct oil, coolant and filters. Keep your receipts in case you ever need to make a claim.
See all N20 Engines · Search N20B20 in the shop
Does a used N20B20 engine come with a warranty?
Yes. 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.
The warranty does not cover damage from wrong fitting, overheating, low oil, wrong fluids or fuel, engines that were opened or modified without our approval, or labour and towing costs.
To claim, send us your order number, a short description of the problem, photos or a video, and a mechanic's report if we ask for one. If the claim is approved, we repair, replace or refund the engine.
Keep the receipts for the fitting, the oil and the filters. They make any claim quick and simple.
See all N20 Engines · Search N20B20 in the shop
What should I know about the BMW N20 engine?
BMW N20 2.0 turbo petrol engines for 328i, 528i and X3 28i. We list one version: N20B20 (2.0 liter (1,997 cc), 180 kW (245 HP), 2011 to 2017).
Because there is only one version, the code is easy to match. You still need the engine computer and wiring that suit your car.
The N20 family was used in chassis F30, F31, F10, F25, F32, F20 and E89. Each engine in the yard is inspected in Hamburg. The code is matched to the listing, the parts on the engine are recorded, the openings are sealed and the real unit is photographed.
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.
How much is a replacement N20B20 engine for a BMW E89 Z4 sDrive28i?
A used N20B20 for the BMW E89 Z4 sDrive28i costs from about 2.000 € to 3.200 € 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 N20B20 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 N20 Engines · Search N20B20 in the shop
How long does delivery of an N20B20 engine take?
Orders confirmed before 14:00 CET on a working day leave Hamburg the same day. Later and weekend orders leave the next working day. Delivery to the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and Denmark takes 1 to 3 working days.
Spain, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Czechia, Austria, Ireland, the Nordics and the Baltics take 2 to 5 working days. Greek and Spanish islands, Malta, Cyprus and remote areas take 4 to 8 working days. The UK and other countries outside the EU are quoted one by one.
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. Every engine is drained, sealed at each opening, strapped to a heat-treated pallet and shrink-wrapped, then photographed before it leaves the yard.
You get a tracking number when the pallet is collected. Check the wrapping before you sign, and note any damage on the paperwork.
See all N20 Engines · Search N20B20 in the shop
How much is a replacement N20B20 engine for a BMW F20 125i?
A used N20B20 for the BMW F20 125i costs from about 2.000 € to 3.200 € 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 N20B20 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 N20 Engines · Search N20B20 in the shop
What comes with a used N20B20 engine?
Each N20B20 is sold as described on its own listing. The yard writes down the parts that are fitted to that unit, such as the turbo, the injectors, the manifolds or the alternator, so you know what arrives.
Some units are long engines with few ancillaries, others are more complete. If you need a part that is not listed, ask the desk. We often have the matching items in the yard.
Every engine is drained, sealed at each opening, strapped to a heat-treated pallet and shrink-wrapped, then photographed before it leaves the yard.
On delivery, the carrier brings the pallet to the kerb or a loading bay. Please have a forklift, a pallet truck or an engine crane ready.
See all N20 Engines · Search N20B20 in the shop
Will the N20B20 engine fit my BMW F31 328i?
Yes, if your BMW F31 328i was built with the N20B20. BMW used this 2.0 liter (1,997 cc) petrol engine with 180 kW (245 HP) in the F31 328i from about 2011 to 2017.
In our records the N20B20 is the engine for the F31 328i, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.
Also tell us if your F31 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 N20 Engines · Search N20B20 in the shop
Can you check if an N20B20 fits my car with my VIN?
Yes, and it is free. Send the 17-character VIN of your car and, if you have it, the gearbox code. We check the engine family, the build year window and the parts your car needs.
For the N20B20, we confirm that your car was built with this code or with a version that can take it. BMW used it in the BMW F30 328i, BMW F31 328i, BMW F10 528i, BMW F25 X3 xDrive28i and BMW F32 428i and more.
We only reserve an engine once the match is confirmed, so you never pay for the wrong unit. You can reach the Hamburg desk by email at autowerkeengines@gmail.com, or by phone and WhatsApp on +49 15510 030835, Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 16:00 CET.
You can also use the VIN check on our site. It reads the year, the make, the model and the engine from the public vehicle register.
See all N20 Engines · Search N20B20 in the shop
Delivery, warranty and payment
Before an N20B16 leaves our Hamburg yard it is drained of oil and coolant, every opening is sealed, and it is strapped to a pallet and wrapped. We send photographs of the packed unit and the tracking details.
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.
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