Change Car Turbo BMW 1-Series

Change Car Turbo

Very technical 2h30–21h00 ~250–2100£
Estimated time 2h30–21h00
Estimated labour cost ~250–2100£
Difficulty Very technical
Vehicles
1-Series 2004-2013 15
  • 116d Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 116d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 118d Diesel (M47D20TU2)
  • 118d Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 118d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 120d Diesel (M47D20TU2OL)
  • 120d Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 120d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 120d M Performance Diesel (N47D20A)
  • 120d M Performance Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 123d Diesel (N47D20B)
  • 123d Diesel (N47D20D)
  • 135i Petrol (N54B30A)
  • 135i Petrol (N55B30A)
  • 135is Petrol (N54B30A)
1-Series 2011-2019 31
  • 114d Diesel (B37D15A)
  • 114d Diesel (N47D16A)
  • 114i Petrol (N13B16A)
  • 116d Diesel (B37D15A)
  • 116d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 116d EfficientDynamics Diesel (B37D15A)
  • 116d EfficientDynamics Diesel (N47D16A)
  • 116i Petrol (B38B15A)
  • 116i Petrol (N13B16A)
  • 118d Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 118d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 118d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 118d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 118i Petrol (B38B15A)
  • 118i Petrol (N13B16A)
  • 118i Petrol (N13B16A)
  • 120d Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 120d Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 120d, -xDrive Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 120d, -xDrive Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 120d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (B47D20A)
  • 120d, -xDrive M Performance Diesel (N47D20C)
  • 120i Petrol (B48B20A)
  • 120i Petrol (N13B16A)
  • 125d Diesel (N47D20D)
  • 125i M Performance Petrol (N20B20A)
  • 125i Petrol (B48B20B)
  • 125i Petrol (N20B20A)
  • M135i, -xDrive Petrol (N55B30A)
  • M135i, -xDrive Petrol (N55B30A)
  • M140i, -xDrive Petrol (B58B30A)
1-Series 2019-2025 9
  • 116d Diesel (B37C15A)
  • 116i Petrol (B38A15A)
  • 118d Diesel (B47C20B)
  • 118i Petrol (B38A15A)
  • 118i Petrol (B38A15F)
  • 120d xDrive Diesel (B47C20B)
  • 120i Petrol (B48A20A)
  • 128ti Petrol (B48A20E)
  • M135i xDrive Petrol (B48A20E)
Renew the turbocharger Without diesel particulate filter 3h00
Renew the turbocharger With diesel particulate filter 3h00

What is the role of the BMW 1-Series turbo?

The turbocharger increases engine power by compressing the intake air, allowing more air (and therefore more fuel) into the combustion chambers. It is driven by exhaust gases spinning a turbine at speeds up to 250,000 rpm. The compressed intake air passes through an intercooler to reduce its temperature before entering the engine.

What are the symptoms of a failing BMW 1-Series turbo?

Common symptoms include: loss of engine power or boost, excessive exhaust smoke (blue/white for oil burning, black for over-fuelling), whining or whistling noise from the turbo area, engine warning light or turbo fault codes, oil leaks at the turbo housing, increased oil consumption.

What causes BMW 1-Series turbo failure?

The main causes are: oil starvation (blocked or restricted oil feed lines, low oil level, poor oil quality), foreign object ingestion, excessive exhaust temperature, worn bearings due to high mileage, and contaminated oil. Always investigate and fix the root cause before fitting a replacement turbo.

Can a BMW 1-Series turbo be reconditioned?

Yes, turbo reconditioning is a common and cost-effective alternative to buying new. A reputable service will disassemble, inspect, replace worn parts, rebalance, and test the unit. Expect to pay 30–60% of the new price.

Is it difficult to change a BMW 1-Series turbo?

Difficulty level 5/5: very technical. The turbo is connected to both the intake and exhaust systems, requiring numerous disassembly steps. Approximately 5 hours on average for a professional mechanic. Key precautions after fitting: change the engine oil and filter, prime the turbo with oil before starting, allow the turbo to cool down after hard driving by idling for 30 seconds before switching off.

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View your 1-Series maintenance plan (keep the 1-Series token) →

3 models covered

Model Year Range Engines covered Fuel
1-Series 2004-2013 2004-2013 116d Diesel (N47D20A), 116d Diesel (N47D20C), 116i Petrol (N43B16A), 116i Petrol (N43B20A), 116i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N45B16A), 118d Diesel (M47D20TU2), 118d Diesel (N47D20A), 118d Diesel (N47D20C), 118i Petrol (N43B20A), 118i Petrol (N46B20B), 118i, -LPG LPG,Petrol (N46B20B), 120d… Diesel, LPG, Petrol
1-Series 2011-2019 2011-2019 114d Diesel (B37D15A), 114d Diesel (N47D16A), 114i Petrol (N13B16A), 116d Diesel (B37D15A), 116d Diesel (N47D20C), 116d EfficientDynamics Diesel (B37D15A), 116d EfficientDynamics Diesel (N47D16A), 116i Petrol (B38B15A), 116i Petrol (N13B16A), 118d Diesel (B47D20A), 118d Diesel (… Diesel, Petrol
1-Series 2019-2025 2019-2025 116d Diesel (B37C15A), 116i Petrol (B38A15A), 118d Diesel (B47C20B), 118i Petrol (B38A15A), 118i Petrol (B38A15F), 120d xDrive Diesel (B47C20B), 120i Petrol (B48A20A), 128ti Petrol (B48A20E), M135i xDrive Petrol (B48A20E) Diesel, Petrol

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