BMW X1 E84 xDrive20d, 177 PS, 6-speed manual, all-wheel drive (2009–2012)

Research for this car

• Generation guide 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.

• Engine guide BMW N47 2.0 diesel (116d to 520d, Mini Cooper D): problems, costs and what to check

  A workable diesel with a costly timing chain weak spot, so buy only with chain proof and check the EGR recall.

Known issues for this car

Before you buy this car

From the generation guide

1. 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).
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Lift the car and check the ball joints, lower-arm mounts and stabiliser links for play. Bad result: play or knocks over bumps.
6. Check every recall in the table by VIN with a BMW dealer. Bad result: an open campaign.

From the engine guide

1. Cold-start rattle (test drive, no scanner). Start the cold engine and listen for a metal rattle at the back of the engine. A rattle that lasts a few seconds is an early warning. Bad: a rattle that stays when warm or under throttle.
2. Chain job invoice (paperwork). Ask for an invoice for a chain job that includes the tensioners and guide rails. Bad: no invoice on a 2007 to 2011 car. Without one, budget 1,500-2,500 EUR (Germany, year not stated), with the gearbox or engine out.
3. Timing fault codes (scanner needed). Read the fault memory. Camshaft timing codes, such as P0016 or P0017, point to a stretched chain. Bad: any camshaft timing code or an engine warning light.
4. EGR recall (check the VIN). Enter the VIN in the KBA or BMW recall check. Recall 14099R covers X3 F25 builds from 2010 to 2014. Bad: an open campaign, or no proof the work was done.
5. Swirl flaps (scanner needed). Read the fault memory for the engine warning light. Bad: the warning light with lost power.
6. Oil history (paperwork). Look for oil changes every 10,000 to 15,000 km with BMW LL-04 oil. Bad: long gaps, or only the 30,000 km Longlife interval.
7. Goodwill (paperwork). Do not count on BMW paying for a chain. Goodwill for chain damage has mostly ended for these builds. Bad: a seller who says BMW will pay.

Running costs

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

ADAC versions