BMW X1 E84 (2009-2015): known problems and buying guide

Risky used SUV, because the xDrive transfer case and timing chains can cost a lot. Buy only with full service records.

Updated 26 October 2026

All versions

Variant	Running cost per month	Median price	Listings	Fuel	Engine codes	Gearbox	Production years
sDrive18d, 143 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research	€444	€8,000	189	Diesel	N47D20C	Manual (6)	2012–2015
xDrive18d, 143 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research	€467	€8,000	189	Diesel	N47D20C	Manual (6)	2012–2015
sDrive18d, 143 PS, 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research	€448	€9,300	143	Diesel	N47D20C	Automatic (8)	2012–2015
xDrive18d, 143 PS, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€464	€9,300	143	Diesel	N47D20C	Automatic (8)	2012–2015
sDrive20d, 184 PS, 8-speed automatic, rear-wheel drive Research	€460	€10,750	117	Diesel	N47D20C	Automatic (8)	2012–2015
xDrive20d, 184 PS, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research	€474	€10,750	117	Diesel	N47D20C	Automatic (8)	2012–2015
sDrive18i, 150 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research	€514	€8,900	80	Petrol (98)	N46B20B	Manual (6)	2012–2015
sDrive16d, 116 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research	€441	€7,800	62	Diesel	N47D20C	Manual (6)	2012–2015
sDrive20d, 184 PS, 6-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Research	€457	€8,500	56	Diesel	N47D20C	Manual (6)	2012–2015
xDrive20d, 184 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive Research	€477	€8,500	56	Diesel	N47D20C	Manual (6)	2012–2015

Years: 2009 to 2015. The 2012 facelift added trims, EfficientDynamics and electric power steering.
Reliability: 2/5. The xDrive transfer case, the N20 and N46 timing chains and steering wear lower the score. At the TÜV the E84 does fairly well, but AUTO BILD (2026) puts parking brake defects above the class average.
DIY: 2/5. Chain and transfer case jobs need a workshop and a scanner. The N47 chain needs the engine out.
Prefer: a 2012-or-later car with full service records and proof of recall work. The six-speed manual has no fault in the sources read.
Avoid: xDrive cars with jerking, a whine or mismatched tyres, and any car with no timing chain record.

2.0 N46 petrol (N46B20B, 18i): the timing chain is in the table. Oil burn and an unreliable oil level sensor are reported by several Russian sites.
2.0 N20 petrol (N20B20A, 20i and 28i): the chain and oil pump drive are in the table.
2.0 N47 diesel (N47D20C, 16d to 23d, and N47D20D, 23d): the timing chain stretches. KFZ Dietrich puts it at 100,000-150,000 km. The chain, EGR cooler and swirl flaps are in its guide. See the BMW N47 diesel.
Six-speed manual: no fault confirmed in the sources read.
Six-speed ZF 6HP automatic (to 2012): See the ZF 6HP automatic.
Eight-speed ZF 8HP automatic: See the ZF 8HP automatic.

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
xDrive transfer case	xDrive (AWD) cars, 2009-2015	From 50,000 km (Za Rulem); 100,000-150,000 km (KFZ Dietrich)	No confirmed price
N20 timing chain and oil pump chain	20i and 28i (N20B20A), 2011-2015	Timing chain before about 100,000 km in hard use; oil pump chain before 70,000 km (Kolesa)	No confirmed price
N46 timing chain	18i (N46B20B), 2010-2015	About 100,000-150,000 km	No confirmed price
N47 diesel injectors	N47D20C and N47D20D	150,000-200,000 km	No confirmed price
N47 particulate filter	N47D20C and N47D20D, short-trip use	About 200,000 km at high revs (Za Rulem)	No confirmed price
Steering knocks and rack leaks	All cars	Under 50,000 km for the lower shaft (Auto.ru); under 200,000 km for rack leaks	No confirmed price
Front suspension wear	All cars	Ball joints about 40,000-80,000 km (Kolesa)	No confirmed price

Drive full-lock circles and pull away gently. Listen for a whine and feel for jerking. Ask for transfer oil change records. Bad result: jerking, a whine, mismatched tyres or no record. Read codes 5F30 and 5F31 with a scanner (needs a scanner).
Start the engine cold and listen for a timing chain rattle in the first seconds. Ask for chain records. Bad result: a rattle or no record.
Start the engine cold and listen for a timing chain rattle. Ask for chain records. Bad result: a rattle or no record.
Listen for jerking on the drive and smell the exhaust for diesel. Ask for injector work. Bad result: jerking, a diesel smell or no injector record above 150,000 km.
Ask whether the car was mainly used on short trips. Read codes 480A, 4820 and 4821 with a scanner (needs a scanner). Bad result: those codes.
At a stop, turn the wheel to full lock both ways and listen for knocks. Look for oil at the rack. Bad result: knocks, play or leaks.
Lift the car and check the ball joints, lower-arm mounts and stabiliser links for play. Bad result: play or knocks over bumps.
Check every recall in the table by VIN with a BMW dealer. Bad result: an open campaign.

Operational	€222
Workshop	€131
Fixed costs (tax, insurance)	€158
Total per month	€511
New-car depreciation (not included)	€85

ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months

Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.

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