Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 116i, 122 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €426 | €3,500 | 563 | Petrol (98) | N43B20A | Manual (6) | 2009–2012 |
| 116i, 122 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €430 | €3,199 | 444 | Petrol (98) | N43B16A | Manual (6) | 2007–2009 |
| 118d, 143 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €404 | €3,600 | 369 | Diesel | N47D20C | Manual (6) | 2007–2012 |
| 118i, 143 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €432 | €3,750 | 299 | Petrol (98) | N43B20A | Manual (6) | 2007–2012 |
| 118i Cabrio, 143 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, convertible Research | €432 | €6,450 | 211 | Petrol (98) | N43B20A | Manual (6) | 2008–2011 |
| 116d, 115 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €393 | €3,500 | 153 | Diesel | N47D20C | Manual (6) | 2009–2012 |
| 120d, 177 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €424 | €4,200 | 153 | Diesel | N47D20C | Manual (6) | 2007–2012 |
| 118d, 143 PS, 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €431 | €5,000 | 71 | Diesel | N47D20C | Automatic (6) | 2007–2012 |
| 120d, 177 PS, 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €442 | €5,990 | 69 | Diesel | N47D20C | Automatic (6) | 2007–2012 |
| 120i, 170 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €459 | €5,100 | 59 | Petrol (98) | N43B20A | Manual (6) | 2007–2012 |
| 116i, 115 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research | €479 | €2,950 | 57 | Petrol (98) | N45B16A | Manual (6) | 2007 |
| 120d Cabrio, 177 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive, convertible Research | €431 | €5,900 | 54 | Diesel | N47D20C | Manual (6) | 2008–2011 |
| 118i, 143 PS, 6-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research | €449 | €5,990 | 50 | Petrol (98) | N43B20A | Automatic (6) | 2007–2012 |
Show all 13 variants
At a glance
- Years: 2004-2013 (E87 five-door, plus the E81 three-door, E82 coupe and E88 convertible).
- Reliability: 3/5, the diesel timing chain is the big cost risk.
- DIY: 2/5, most timing chain work needs a workshop and the engine out.
- Biggest risk: N47 diesel timing chain, mainly 2007-2011 builds.
- Prefer: cars with written proof of timing chain work and recall repairs.
- Avoid: N47 diesels from 2007-2011 with no chain record, and 2008-2009 diesels with no fuel filter heater check.
Engines and gearboxes
- N45 petrol (116i, to 2007): timing chain stretch and tensioner wear.
- N46 petrol (118i, 120i, to 2007): oil leaks from gaskets, and the same timing chain risk.
- N43 petrol (116i, 118i, 120i, from 2007): ignition coils and injectors fail early.
- N52 petrol (130i): lifter ticking reported on builds before November 2008.
- N54 petrol (135i): no common fault confirmed.
- M47 diesel (118d, 120d, to 2007): swirl flaps can loosen or stick.
- N47 diesel (116d, 118d, 120d, from 2007): timing chain, swirl flaps and EGR cooler.
- 6-speed manual: no common fault confirmed.
- ZF 6-speed automatic: slipping, harsh or late shifts. A fluid and filter change is the named fix (German Car Forum).
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| N47 timing chain | N47 diesel, mainly 2007-2011 builds | 120,000-200,000 km | 1,500-4,000 EUR (Germany and Europe, year not stated) |
| N43 ignition coils and injectors | N43 petrol, from 2007 | Not stated | 1,600-2,400 EUR for four injectors (Germany, year not stated) |
| N45 and N46 timing chain | N45 and N46 petrol, to 2007 | Not stated | 1,200-1,800 EUR incl. labour (Germany, year not stated) |
| Swirl flaps | N47 and M47 diesel | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Diesel EGR cooler | Diesel from 2010 | Not stated | Not stated |
| Diesel fuel filter heater | Diesel, 2008-2009 builds | Not stated | Not stated |
| VANOS bolts | Petrol, 2009-2012 builds | Not stated | Not stated |
| N46 oil leaks | N46 petrol, 118i and 120i to 2007 | Not stated | Not stated |
Before you buy
- Ask for written proof of N47 timing chain work. Listen for a metallic rattle on a cold start. A rattle that lasts more than a few seconds, or an engine warning light, means expensive work. Repair can cost up to 4,000 EUR.
- Ask whether the swirl flaps were checked, cleaned or blanked. No record means a lower price or a check first.
- Ask for injector and coil work on N43 cars. Misfires or power loss are a warning. Four injectors cost 1,600-2,400 EUR.
- On N45 and N46 cars built to 2007, listen for a cold rattle. Ask for chain, tensioner and guide rail work done together. Chain work costs 1,200-1,800 EUR.
- Look under the valve cover and oil pan of N46 cars for wet oil. Any leak is a repair item.
- Ask whether the VANOS bolt campaign (REC-005810 in Australia) was done on 2009-2012 petrol cars.
- Ask whether the EGR cooler was replaced on diesels from 2010. The recall covers a fire risk.
- Check the fuel filter heater recall on 2008-2009 diesels. It covers a fire risk.
- Check the oil change record. Oil should be changed every 7,000-15,000 km with LL-04 oil.
- On automatics, test for slipping or harsh shifts. Ask for the fluid and filter change record.
Running costs
| Operational | €193 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €121 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €135 |
| Total per month | €449 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €69 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 2,765
- 25th percentile
- €3,000
- Median price
- €4,200
- 75th percentile
- €5,950
- Median mileage
- 190,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2009
- Dealer share
- 28.3%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €6,272
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.