N20 — 2.0L Inline-4 Turbo
Isle & Alpine · Engine Guide
N20 — 2.0L Inline-4 Turbo
The turbo four that brought four-cylinder BMWs back to the US — with one big caveat.
Key Specifications
Displacement1,997 cc
ConfigurationInline-4 · twin-scroll turbo
Bore × Stroke84.0 × 90.1 mm
Compression10.0:1
Output240 hp (180 kW) @ 5,000
Torque260 lb-ft (350 Nm) @ 1,250
InjectionDirect
ValvetrainValvetronic III + Double VANOS
Fitted To
F30 328i / 320iF10 528iF22 228iF25 X3 28iF32 428iE84 X1 28i
Oil Specification
Oil Spec
BMW Longlife-01.
What Makes It Special
The N20 brought the four-cylinder back to the US BMW lineup after a 12-year absence (the last was the M44 in the 1999 E36 318is). It's closely related to the N55 six — sharing the per-cylinder philosophy, Valvetronic III, Double VANOS and twin-scroll turbo.
BMW positioned it as a replacement for the naturally aspirated N52 six, offering similar power with better fuel economy.
Maintenance Watch Items
- Timing chain and guides — the N20's biggest known issue. Early production (2012–2014) suffered guide failures that could cause catastrophic engine damage; BMW extended warranty coverage on some ranges. Any rattle or whine from the back of the engine must not be ignored.
- Valve cover gasket leak — same design weakness as the N55.
- Oil filter housing gasket — common leak.
- VANOS solenoid issues — similar to the N55.
- Water pump — electric pump, same design family.