Carsieve

BMW 2 Series F22 and F23 (2014-2021): known problems and buying guide

Built
2014–2017
Median price
€16,499
Listings
606
Running cost per month
€593–€600
Power
326 PS (240 kW)
Reliability
3/5
DIY
2/5

A workable used car with timing chain risks on early N20 and N55 cars. Prefer a 2016 or later car with full service records.

All versions

VariantRunning cost per monthMedian priceListingsFuelEngine codesGearboxProduction years
M235i Coupé, 326 PS, 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research€593€21,50059Petrol (98) N55B30AAutomatic (8)2014–2016
M235i Coupé, 326 PS, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research€600€21,50059Petrol (98) N55B30AAutomatic (8)2014–2016

At a glance

  • Years: 2014 to 2021, facelift from 2017. Timing chains on the early N20 and on the N55 are the main risks.
  • Reliability: 3/5. Timing chain reports on the N20 and N55 pull the score down. The sources name no fault for the B48, B58 or manual gearbox.
  • DIY: 2/5. Chain work is engine work. Use a workshop that can read fault codes.
  • Prefer: a 2016 or later car with full service records. ZR.ru advises the B48 petrol over the N20 from 2016 on.
  • Avoid: early N20 and N55 cars with no timing chain work on record.

Engines and gearboxes

  • 2.0 N47 diesel (N47D20C, N47D20D, 2014-2015): timing chain and EGR cooler faults are covered in its own guide. See the BMW N47 guide.
  • 2.0 B47 diesel (B47D20A, B47D20B, 2015-2020): EGR cooler, turbo and DPF faults are covered in its own guide. See the BMW B47 guide.
  • 1.5 B38 petrol (B38B15A, 2015-2021): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
  • 2.0 N20 petrol (N20B20A, N20B20B, 2014-2017): the timing chain and oil pump drive are the main risk. See the table below.
  • 2.0 B48 petrol (B48B20B, 2016-2021): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
  • 3.0 N55 petrol (N55B30A, M235i and M2, 2014-2018): timing chain and bearing damage are in the table below.
  • 3.0 B58 petrol (B58B30A, M240i, 2016-2021): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
  • 3.0 S55 petrol (S55B30A, M2 Competition and CS, 2018-2020): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
  • Manual gearbox (6-speed): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
  • ZF 8-speed automatic: its own guide covers the gearbox faults. See the ZF 8HP guide.
  • M DCT (M2 only): no fault confirmed in the sources read.

Known issues

Issue Affects Typical km Repair cost
N20 timing chain and oil pump drive N20B20A and N20B20B, mainly early 2014-2015 cars 60,000-100,000 km 1,000-2,500 EUR (Wheelstreet, year not stated)
N55 timing chain and bearing damage N55B30A (M235i and M2), 2014-2018 Not stated Not stated
Petrol fuel pump Petrol cars, early builds and turbo petrol Not stated 400-900 EUR (Wheelstreet, year not stated)
Electric power steering Cars built 2014 to December 2015 Not stated No confirmed price

Before you buy

  1. Ask for proof of timing chain work on an N20 car. Start the cold engine and listen for a rattle. A scanner reads the fault codes. Bad result: a cold-start rattle, fault codes, or no record of chain work by 100,000 km.
  2. Ask whether the fuel pump was replaced. A warning lamp for the fuel system or an engine that cuts out while driving are bad signs. A scanner reads the fault codes. Bad result: either sign, or no record of pump work.
  3. On an N55 car, listen to the engine on a cold start and under load. Ask for the oil change records. Bad result: a rattle, a knock, or no oil change record.
  4. Ask a BMW dealer to check the VIN for open EGR cooler campaigns (KBA reference 008124). Bad result: an open campaign, or no proof that the cooler was replaced.
  5. On a 2014 or 2015 car, turn the wheel at low speed. Bad result: heavier steering, a steering warning lamp, or no record of steering work.

Running costs

Operational€187
Workshop€122
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)€169
Total per month€478
New-car depreciation (not included)€105

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
606
25th percentile
€13,750
Median price
€16,499
75th percentile
€19,950
Median mileage
124,800 km
Median first registration
2016
Dealer share
49.2%
Price at 100,000 km
€19,715

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

In detail

N20 timing chain and oil pump drive

Symptoms: a rattle on cold start, and chain noise as the early sign of the oil pump drive chain. Cause: wear of the timing chain and its tensioner. Most reports are early 2014 and 2015 cars with this engine.

Fix: the chain and tensioner are replaced. No revised parts or part numbers are named in the sources.

Cost: Wheelstreet gives 1,000-2,500 EUR for the chain job (year not stated). Repair prices in RUB are not used.

Sources: Wheelstreet, Za Rulem

N55 timing chain and bearing damage

AUTO BILD names timing chain wear and bearing damage as known weak points of the N55 in the M235i. Its article gives no symptom, cause, fix, mileage or cost. An owner on PistonHeads reports the same bearing failure.

RAC reports that the six-cylinder petrol engine had timing chain problems that led to blown engines. Cars built after 2015 had a redesigned chain.

Fix: not stated in the sources. The redesigned chain is the only change named.

Cost: not stated.

Sources: AUTO BILD, RAC Drive, PistonHeads

Petrol fuel pump

Symptoms: a warning lamp and an instrument cluster error come before the engine cuts out, on early cars (RAC).

Which cars: early petrol cars (RAC). Wheelstreet names the turbo petrol engines.

Fix: the pump is replaced (RAC).

Cost: Wheelstreet gives 400-900 EUR for the pump on turbo petrol cars (year not stated).

Sources: RAC Drive, Wheelstreet

Electric power steering

RAC reports a possible power steering fault on cars built 2014 to December 2015. The symptom is heavier steering. AUTO BILD lists a recall for the electric power steering motor, without a code or dates.

Fix and cause: not stated in the sources.

Cost: no confirmed price.

Sources: RAC Drive, AUTO BILD

Recalls

Country Code Years What is done
Germany 008124 Four-cylinder diesels built April 2015 to September 2016 (2020 extension); 2021 and 2022 builds added in 2024 The EGR cooler is replaced with a part from another supplier, even when the leak test shows no fault. Glycol can leak and soot can melt the intake manifold, with a fire risk.

The code and the defect come from auto motor und sport, which cites the KBA reference. The article names 1, 2, 3 and 4 Series four-cylinder diesels from these years, which on the 2 Series are the B47 cars. Check open campaigns for your VIN with a BMW dealer.

Maintenance

  • Timing chain: have the N20 chain checked from about 60,000 to 100,000 km, and keep the records. A cold-start rattle is the first sign.
  • Oil level: check the oil level between services on the N55. Bearing damage is named for this engine.

Sources

English

German

Russian