BMW 1 Series E87 (2004-2013): known problems and buying guide

Built: 2004–2007
Median price: €2,600
Listings: 845
Running cost per month: €448–€468
Power: 115–163 PS (85–120 kW)
Reliability: 3/5
DIY: 2/5

A workable small hatch. Buy only with proof of timing chain work, recall repairs and a cold-start check.

Updated 24 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
116i, 115 PS, 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research	€466	€2,500	318	Petrol	N45B16A	Manual (5)	2004–2007
118i, 129 PS, 5-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research	€468	€2,690	90	Petrol	N46B20B	Manual (5)	2004–2007
118d, 122 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research	€448	€2,450	85	Diesel	M47D20TU2	Manual (6)	2004–2007
120d, 163 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research	€460	€2,800	63	Diesel	N47D20C	Manual (6)	2004–2007

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	€227
Workshop	€125
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€140
Total per month	€492
New-car depreciation (not included)	€52

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.

Find offers on mobile.de

Listings: 845
25th percentile: €1,999
Median price: €2,600
75th percentile: €3,500
Median mileage: 206,300 km
Median first registration: 2006
Dealer share: 21.7%
Price at 100,000 km: €3,976

To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.

In detail

N47 timing chain

The chain stretches and the guides wear. Sharp chain wheel teeth speed this up. Symptoms are a metallic rattle on cold start, which often fades when warm, loss of power, starting trouble and a warning light. The chain sits at the gearbox end, so the complete engine must come out. Builds up to mid-2009 also need the camshaft sprocket and crankshaft replaced. Later builds need only the chains and guides. Replace the tensioners and guide rails at the same time. Repair costs 1,500-4,000 EUR in Germany and Europe, year not stated. Oil change every 7,000-15,000 km with LL-04 oil.

Sources: AutoScore, auto motor und sport, Australian Car Reviews, repareo

N43 ignition coils and injectors

Ignition coils fail on petrol cars built 2005-2010. Coils cause misfires and power loss. A recall covers the coils; no recall code is given. N43 injectors wear out sooner than expected. Four N43 injectors cost 1,600-2,400 EUR in Germany, year not stated.

Sources: UNIXNERD, gebrauchtwagenberater.de, Motor-Talk

N45 and N46 timing chain

The chain can stretch early and cause major engine damage. The tensioner is the usual weak point. A chain jump is reported on 2005 petrol engines. Replace the chain, tensioner and guide rail together. Repair costs 1,200-1,800 EUR including labour, Germany, year not stated.

Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de, Euro Auto Pro, auto.ru

Swirl flaps

Swirl flaps are small flaps in the intake. Soot from the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR, which feeds some exhaust back into the engine) coats them. Flaps and their screws can break, and pieces can enter the cylinder. Carbon and oil vapour can make the flaps stick. On the M47 120d the common fix is blanking plates.

Sources: AutoScore, Australian Car Reviews, wheelstreet.lt

Diesel EGR cooler

The EGR cooler (it cools the recirculated exhaust gas) leaks. BMW issued recalls for a fire risk on diesels built from about 2010. No recall code is given. The remedy is not stated.

Sources: AutoScore, gebrauchtwagenberater.de, wheelstreet.lt

Diesel fuel filter heater

The fuel filter heater can overheat and cause a fire. Recall PRA 2011/13091 covers cars sold 20 August 2008 to 12 June 2009 in Australia. A second heater recall, PRA 2013/13591, covers cars sold 1 August to 30 November 2009. The remedy is not stated.

Sources: Australian Car Reviews, gebrauchtwagenberater.de, Motor-Talk

VANOS bolts

VANOS is the system that shifts the cam timing. The bolts that fix the VANOS unit can break. Australia recall REC-005810 (November 2023) covers the bolts, campaign 0011520700. The remedy and cost are not stated.

Sources: Australian Car Reviews, gebrauchtwagenberater.de, Motor-Talk

N46 oil leaks

Oil leaks from the valve cover, the oil filter housing and the oil pan gaskets. The fix is replacing those gaskets. Cost is not stated.

Sources: Euro Auto Pro, BimmerSport NZ

Recalls

Country	Code	Years	What is done
Australia	REC-005810	2009-2012 builds	Not stated (VANOS bolts)
Australia	PRA 2011/13091	Sold 20 Aug 2008 to 12 Jun 2009	Not stated (fuel filter heater)
Australia	PRA 2013/13591	Sold 1 Aug to 30 Nov 2009	Not stated (fuel filter heater)
Australia	PRA 2013/13476	Sold 1 Mar 2007 to 28 Feb 2011	Not stated (battery positive cable)
Australia	PRA 2018/16803	Sold 1 Mar 2007 to 31 Oct 2011	Not stated (main battery cable, campaign 00 61 7704 00)
Australia	PRA 2006/8909	Builds 4-14 Mar 2006	Not stated (brake booster sealing ring)
Australia	REC-006036	2004-2011	Driver airbag replaced free (campaign 0032570300)
Australia	PRA 2025/20544	Not stated	Sports steering wheel airbag; owners told not to drive
Germany	Not given	Diesels to March 2007	Not stated (injector recall)
Germany	Not given	2007-2012	Not stated (electric power steering)
Germany	Not given	Dec 2010 to Jun 2011	Not stated (propshaft flexible coupling)
Germany	Not given	2006-2011	Not stated (battery positive cable)

Maintenance

Change engine oil every 7,000-15,000 km with LL-04 oil.
Any N47 or N45/N46 chain job: replace the tensioners and guide rails at the same time.
Automatic gearbox: change the fluid and filter when shifts slip or go harsh.