Engine code
N43 · 1.6 and 2.0 liter · 4-cylinder, direct injection · 2005-2013 in BMW's parts catalog · 116i, 118i, 120i, 316i, 318i, 320i, 520i
The N43 is a 4-cylinder petrol engine with direct fuel injection, built in 1.6 liter (N43B16) and 2.0 liter (N43B20) versions for the E81, E82, E87, E88, E90, E91, E92, E93, E60 and E61. BMW's documents say it also has a stratified charge mode. The N43 was not sold in US-market BMWs, per BMW's own vehicle lists (data to December 2019), so this is a short guide.
This guide only states what BMW's own documents establish. Ownership opinions, failure rates, costs and tuning potential are marked as not established.
N43 At a Glance
| Question | Practical answer |
|---|---|
| Where you find it | E81, E82, E87 and E88 1 Series (116i, 118i, 120i); E90, E91, E92 and E93 3 Series (316i, 318i, 320i); E60 and E61 5 Series (520i). BMW's parts catalog lists catalog dates from 10/2005 to 10/2013. |
| Production window | Not firmly established. A public reference lists 2007-2011, which does not match the parts catalog dates. |
| Sold in US-market BMWs | Not sold in US-market BMWs, per BMW's own vehicle lists (data to December 2019). All 63 N43 vehicle types BMW lists are for the Europe-catalog market. |
| Engine sizes | 1.6 liter N43B16 and 2.0 liter N43B20 |
| Compression ratio | N43B16: 11.7:1. N43B20: 12.0:1. |
| Factory output | A public reference lists 90 kW and 160 Nm for the N43B16, and 90 kW to 125 kW with 185 Nm to 210 Nm across N43B20 versions. BMW workshop data we read does not give output. |
| Engine oil | 4.25 liters with a new filter. Check the owner's manual for the grade; BMW's current oil suitability list includes the N43. |
| Reliability, cost to own, power potential | Not established yet. We are still researching this engine. |
| Known recalls or bulletins | None found for the N43 in the BMW documents we read. |
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Cylinders | 4, petrol |
| Displacement | N43B16: 1,598 cc. N43B20: 1,995 cc. |
| Bore x stroke | N43B16: 82 x 75.7 mm. N43B20: 84 x 90 mm. |
| Compression ratio | N43B16: 11.7:1. N43B20: 12.0:1. |
| Fuel system | Direct fuel injection with a stratified charge (lean mixture) mode. Injector type and rail pressure for the N43: Not established yet. |
| Valvetrain | BMW's repair documentation for the N43 describes rocker arms and camshaft adjusters on the intake and exhaust camshafts, plus balance shafts with a chain-driven oil pump. Valve count, VANOS or Valvetronic: Not established yet. |
| Engine oil capacity | 4.25 liters with filter change |
| Output | Not established by BMW documents we read (see At a Glance for the public reference) |
| Coolant, firing order, engine management | Not established yet |
Known Failure Points and Service Items
Not established yet. We found no BMW recall, technical bulletin or training document that names a specific N43 defect. The US recall database does not apply because the engine was not sold in the US.
Reliability Verdict, Power Potential, Cost of Ownership
Not established yet. We are still researching this engine.
Common Questions
What BMW has the N43 engine?
BMW's parts catalog lists the N43 in the 116i, 118i and 120i (E81, E82, E87, E88), the 316i, 318i and 320i (E90, E91, E92, E93) and the 520i (E60, E61). It was not sold in US-market BMWs, per BMW's own vehicle lists (data to December 2019).
Is the N43 a direct-injection engine?
Yes. BMW's documentation says the N43 has direct fuel injection and a stratified charge mode.
How much oil does an N43 take?
BMW's workshop data gives 4.25 liters for an oil change with a new filter element.
What is the N43 compression ratio?
BMW's workshop data gives 11.7:1 for the 1.6 liter N43B16 and 12.0:1 for the 2.0 liter N43B20.
Sources
- BMW workshop technical data for the N43B16 and N43B20, group 11: engine in general, oil supply.
- BMW functional descriptions: stratified charge mode for direct fuel injection, and the N54 and N43 engine description.
- BMW repair documentation for the N43B16 (camshafts, rocker arms, oil pump chain tensioner).
- BMW parts catalog, data date 12 December 2019 (vehicle types, build dates).
- BMW oil suitability list for BMW Group engines, edition 09/2025.
- Wikipedia, BMW N43 (public reference for output and production years; not a BMW document).
