Reconditioned BMW X1 Engine

3 engine families for the BMW X1 (2009–2022): diesel or petrol, the codes that make all the difference

The BMW X1 spans thirteen years of production and was offered with two clearly distinct engine ranges: diesel, represented by the 2.0d, and petrol, available as the 2.0i and the 1.5i. These three engine capacities do not correspond to three identical units across all years: BMW updated its engine families during the production run, and the same X1 "2.0d" may be fitted with either an N47 or a B47 — two entirely different architectures. It is the engine code, visible on the block itself or in the manufacturer's documentation, that determines which part is compatible.

Diesel 2.0d: from the N47 family to the B47 family

The 2.0d is the most common engine in this collection, with four distinct codes. The N47D20C and N47D20D belong to the first generation of BMW 2.0 diesel blocks fitted to the X1, associated with the earlier years of production. The B47C20A and B47C20B correspond to the next generation, introduced with the model's renewal. These two families are not mechanically interchangeable: confusing an N47 with a B47 when placing an order is the most common mistake in this range. The N47 family is also well known for timing chain issues on the flywheel side, which is frequently the cause of engine failure.

Petrol 2.0i and 1.5i: four N20/B48 codes and a single B38

On the petrol side, the 2.0i also covers four codes: N20B20A, N20B20B, N20B20D and B48A20A. Here again, the N20 and B48 represent two distinct generations. The 1.5i, a more recent 3-cylinder engine, is represented by just one code: B38A15A. This block equips the entry-level versions of the facelifted X1 and shares no parts with the 4-cylinder units. All engines in this collection are offered as bare engines: ancillary components (turbo, fuel injection system, alternator) are not included and must be transferred from the old block.