BMW's move to a turbocharged four-cylinder in place of the naturally aspirated six — efficient and genuinely quick, with a short list of known issues that are worth understanding before buying.
This engine marked a genuine shift in BMW's approach, trading the smoothness of an inline-six for turbocharged four-cylinder efficiency — and for the most part, it delivers on that trade convincingly. The timing chain tensioner is the most consistently reported mechanical concern, with a design that can wear prematurely and, in a minority of cases, lead to chain skip. Oil consumption is a secondary, less severe complaint that affects a meaningful minority of examples.
Not a guarantee, but a pattern seen consistently across owner forums and independent-garage reporting.
Oil consumption, where it occurs, typically becomes noticeable in this range.
Timing chain tensioner wear symptoms, including rattle, become more commonly reported.
Examples without early symptoms commonly continue without major engine work.
Listen for a rattle on cold start that persists for more than a second or two — the clearest warning sign of timing chain tensioner wear.
Check oil level yourself if possible, since consumption on this engine can outpace what some dashboard sensors flag.
Ask about carbon-clean service history, same consideration as on other direct-injection turbo engines in this catalogue.
Model-specific pages, with notes on how it behaves in that particular car.