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BMW N13
in every car

2 cars · scores 50–54/100

We score the N13 in 2 cars. The best is the 118i F20 at 54/100, the weakest the 114i F20 at 50/100.

What the N13 is known for

Almost everything owners report on the N13 comes back to the timing chain. The engine is BMW's version of the 1.6 it developed with PSA (the "Prince" family), and it shares that engine's chain stretch. The usual first sign is a rattle for a few seconds after a cold start. On our data it typically starts from around 140,000 km, sooner on cars run on long oil-change intervals, and a chain, guide and tensioner job runs €800–2,500.

Beyond the chain, owners report little else on this engine. So the buying advice is short: listen to a cold start, ask whether the chain has been done, and check the oil level, because chain wear and oil consumption often come together.

Version by version

  1. BMW N13 in the 118i F202011–2015

    54/100Risky

    1 confirmed issue

    Best-known problemTiming chain stretch / guide wear · from 140k km · €800–2,500

  2. BMW N13 in the 114i F202012–2015

    50/100Risky

    2 confirmed issues

    Best-known problemTiming chain stretch / guide wear · from 140k km · €800–2,500

The problems they share

Reported on all 2

  • Timing chain stretch / guide wear

Only reported on the 114i F20

  • Fuel injector failure

A problem missing from a version may be rarer there, or have fewer owner reports behind it so far.

Before and after

It was replaced by the BMW B38, which scores 74/100.