Carsieve All versions
Show all 14 variants
At a glance
- Years: 2013 to 2021. The F32 is the coupe, the F33 the convertible with a folding hard top, the F36 the Gran Coupe.
- Reliability: 3/5. The N20 timing chain on early petrol cars, the diesel EGR cooler recall and the fuel pump recall pull the score down.
- DIY: 2/5. Most fixes are recall or workshop jobs. The chain work needs a garage.
- Biggest risks: the N20 timing chain and the EGR cooler recall on diesels.
- Prefer: a car with recall work on record, and a later B47 or B48 engine. Avoid: early N20 petrol cars with no chain work on record.
Engines and gearboxes
- 2.0 N20 petrol (N20B20A, N20B20B, 420i and 428i): the timing chain is the main risk, see Known issues. Cars built to February 2016 carry the most risk. carwiki says 2015 or 2016.
- 2.0 N47 diesel (N47D20C, N47D20D, 418d to 425d): dual-mass flywheel failures are reported. See the BMW N47.
- 2.0 B47 diesel (B47D20A, B47D20B, 418d to 425d from 2015): the later diesel that replaced the N47. Dual-mass flywheel failures are also reported. Its EGR cooler falls under the recall below. See the BMW B47.
- 3.0 N57 diesel (N57D30A, N57D30B, 430d and 435d): the EGR cooler recall applies, see Known issues.
- ZF 8HP automatic: see the ZF 8HP guide.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| N20 timing chain (420i and 428i) | 420i and 428i (N20B20A, N20B20B), built to 2015-2016 | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| EGR cooler leak and recall (diesel) | 6-cylinder N57 built 2012-2015; 4-cylinder B47 built 2015-2016 | Not stated | No confirmed price (recall work) |
| Fuel pump nickel coating (recall) | Petrol N20 and N55 cars, built 2012-2015 (sources differ) | Not stated | Not stated |
| xDrive judder at partial load | xDrive (AWD) cars | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Springs and shock absorbers wear | All cars | From about 70,000 km | No confirmed price |
| Alloy wheel corrosion and pitting | All cars | Not stated | No confirmed price (dealers replace under warranty) |
Before you buy
- Start the cold engine and listen for a rattle in the first seconds. Ask for a record of timing chain work. Bad result: a rattle on cold start, or no chain work on a car built to 2015 or 2016.
- Drive at part throttle on a flat road and watch for judder. Check that all four tyres match and that the pressures are right. Ask for the oil change record. Bad result: judder that stays after the tyres are checked, or no oil record.
- Lift the car and check the springs, shock absorbers and tie rod ends. Bad result: leaking shocks, worn tie rod ends, or knocks over bumps.
- Ask for proof that the EGR cooler recall was done on a six-cylinder diesel built 2013 to 2015. Bad result: no proof.
- Ask for proof that the EGR cooler was replaced on a four-cylinder diesel built 2015 or 2016. Bad result: no proof. The B47 guide covers the rest.
- Ask a BMW dealer to check the fuel pump recall and all open campaigns for the car's VIN. Build dates differ by source, so check the VIN. Bad result: an open campaign, or a pump not replaced.
Running costs
| Operational | €204 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €156 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €202 |
| Total per month | €562 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €115 |
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
- 1,220
- 25th percentile
- €14,800
- Median price
- €17,900
- 75th percentile
- €21,300
- Median mileage
- 157,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2015
- Dealer share
- 47.8%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €23,230
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 (420i and 428i)
The timing chain stretches early on these four-cylinder petrol engines. The chain guides and tensioner wear with it. The first sign is a rattle on cold start. A rattle that changes under load is another sign. If the chain is not repaired, the engine can suffer total failure.
Cars built up to February 2016 are named most often. carwiki gives 2015 and 2016 as the limit. The fix is a chain replacement. No price is given in the sources. The garage that gives this advice recommends a later B48 car.
Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, carwiki
EGR cooler leak and recall (diesel)
The EGR cooler, which cools exhaust gas fed back into the engine, can leak glycol. Soot and heat in the EGR module can then melt the intake manifold. In extreme cases the car can catch fire.
The campaign covers four-cylinder diesels built April 2015 to September 2016, and six-cylinder diesels built July 2012 to June 2015. The remedy is a new cooler from another supplier, also when the leak test shows nothing. The KBA reference is 008124. A 2024 expansion covers 2021 and 2022 diesel model years, so check the VIN. The four-cylinder cars are covered in the B47 guide.
Sources: auto motor und sport, Gebrauchtwagenberater
Fuel pump nickel coating (recall)
The nickel coating inside the fuel pump is faulty. In extreme cases the engine can stop while driving. The campaign covers petrol four- and six-cylinder cars.
Build dates differ by source. AUTO BILD gives June 2012 to April 2014. Gebrauchtwagenberater gives model years 2013 to 2015. Check the VIN. The fix is a new pump in a workshop, about 60 minutes according to BMW. No cost is given.
Sources: AUTO BILD, Gebrauchtwagenberater
xDrive judder at partial load
The car judders when it accelerates at part throttle. Mismatched tyres, different tyre pressures or tread depths, and old transfer case oil are named as causes. Sporty driving makes it worse. Check the tyres and the oil record first. The sources give no fix and no price.
Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, carwiki
Springs and shock absorbers wear
Springs and shock absorbers wear from about 70,000 km. Worn dampers or springs cause knocks and rattles over bumps. The TÜV inspection also fails springs, shock absorbers and tie rod ends.
Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, carwiki, carwiki steering noises
Alloy wheel corrosion and pitting
Alloy wheels corrode around the centre caps, and the surface can pit. Auto Express says this corrosion is not unusual, and dealers replace wheels under warranty. RAC Drive advises checking the rims for kerb damage. No price is given.
Sources: Auto Express, RAC Drive
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | KBA 008124 | Four-cylinder diesel built April 2015 to September 2016; six-cylinder built July 2012 to June 2015 | EGR cooler replaced with another supplier's part, also when the leak test is clear. |
| Germany | not given | Built June 2012 to April 2014 (press); model years 2013 to 2015 (garage site). Check the VIN. | Pump replaced in a workshop, about 60 minutes. |
Check open campaigns for the VIN with a BMW dealer.
Maintenance
- Transfer case oil: keep the oil record. Old oil is named as a cause of xDrive judder.
- Tyres: keep all four matched and at the right pressure.
- Suspension: check springs, shock absorbers and tie rod ends from about 70,000 km.
Sources
English
- Auto Express: what to look out for on the 4 Series Coupe
- RAC Drive: 4 Series Convertible F33
- RAC Drive: 4 Series Coupe 2013-2017
German
- Gebrauchtwagenberater: BMW 4er F32, F33, F36 problems
- carwiki: BMW 4er problems
- carwiki: BMW 4er steering noises
- AUTO BILD: BMW 1er, 2er, 3er and 4er recall
- auto motor und sport: BMW EGR recall, fire risk
Russian
- No Russian source is used for a checked issue on this page.