BMW 2 Series F23 Engines -The Complete UK Guide
Every engine fitted to the F23 Convertible -from the 1.5-litre three-cylinder 218i to the 2.0-litre four-cylinders and the 3.0-litre six-cylinder M240i. Real UK costs, honest failure data, and the engine changes that defined the F23's short life. Backed by 147+ real UK F23 enquiries in 2025 [BMW-VERIFIED].
Explore F23 Engines
BMW 2 Series F23 Engine Codes -The Complete Database
Every engine fitted to the F23 convertible specifically -from the base 218i to the M240i, including the N20-to-B48 and N55-to-B58 changes that came with the 2016 model-year update.
Overview
BMW 2 Series F23 -Overview
The F23 is the convertible version of BMW's first-generation 2 Series, launched in January 2015 as the successor to the E88 1 Series Convertible.
Built alongside the F22 coupé at BMW's Leipzig plant, the F23 was a four-seat convertible with a power-operated soft top. The engine range launched with 2.0-litre N20 four-cylinders (220i, 228i) and the 3.0-litre N55 six-cylinder (M235i), plus B47 diesels. A significant July 2016 update replaced the N20 and N55 with the newer B48 and B58 modular engines, and the 1.5-litre B38 three-cylinder arrived in 2017 for the 218i. The F23 was produced through 2021.
Key Facts
Platform
BMW F22/F23 (rear-wheel drive)
Predecessor
E88 1 Series Convertible
Successor
G42 2 Series Convertible
Sibling body styles in this generation
F22 Coupé, F87 M2
Market Intelligence
The F23 convertible generated 147 real UK engine enquiries in 2025 [BMW-VERIFIED], concentrated on the 2.0-litre petrol engines as these stylish convertibles enter the higher-mileage phase of their ownership cycle.
Best & Worst Engines
Best Petrol Overall
B48B20B -230i (2016–2021)
“The B48 is a significant improvement over the N20 -better cooling, more reliable timing chain design, and smoother delivery. The 230i is the sweet spot of the F23 range.”
Who it's for: buyers who want modern turbo four-cylinder performance without the N20's concerns.
Highest Risk
N20B20A/B -220i/228i (2015–2016)
“Early F23s use the N20 engine -known for timing chain guide wear and VANOS issues. The B48 that replaced it from mid-2016 is a much safer bet.”
Who it's for: buyers who are prepared for timing chain maintenance or want a cheaper entry point.
Most Expensive Failure
N55B30O0 -M235i (2015–2016)
“The N55 is robust but complex -VANOS, valvetronic and turbocharger repairs can be costly. The B58 that replaced it is a more reliable choice.”
Who it's for: buyers who want the first-generation M Performance convertible and are ready for the bills.
Best Value
B48B20A -220i (2016–2021)
“The B48 is reliable, efficient and well-supported. A £2,800–£4,500 recon makes sense against a £10,000–£20,000 vehicle.”
Who it's for: buyers who want the most cost-effective F23 ownership.
Most Overlooked
B38B15 -218i (2017–2021)
“The 1.5-litre three-cylinder is often overlooked by buyers chasing bigger engines -but it's a genuinely charming unit, reliable and surprisingly perky in the F23's lightweight chassis.”
Who it's for: buyers who want low running costs and don't need six-cylinder pace.
BMW 2 Series F23 -Ownership Economics
The F23 rule
A £3,200–£5,000 B48 recon against a £10,000–£20,000 F23 sits at 16–50% of the car's value -well within our 70% BMW threshold. Even against a sub-£10,000 example, the same recon is 32–50% -a repair decision, not a financial one. The F23 holds value well enough that engine replacement is almost always viable.
Common Problems
F23 Engine Replacement Costs -By Engine and Condition
No Generation variance from the Engine Page baseline -no dedicated Engine Pages exist for these families yet, so baseline figures are drawn from the EM_Proprietary_Data Table A. Labour hours estimated at 8–12 hours for the three-cylinder B38, 10–14 hours for four-cylinder engines, and 12–16 hours for six-cylinder engines due to engine bay packaging.
Core Variants
Diesel & Petrol Lineup
Scope note: All variants listed are F23 convertible only. The 228i and M235i were produced 2015–2016; the 230i and M240i replaced them from July 2016 production. The 218i (B38) joined the range in 2017. The 225d is the twin-turbo diesel.
Market Intelligence
Most Requested E90 Engines (2025)
- 1.1. B48B20B 230i -540 requests [BMW-VERIFIED]
- 2.2. N20B20A 220i -1450 requests (model-level N47/N20 combined) [BMW-VERIFIED]
- 3.3. B58B30O0 M240i -540 requests [BMW-VERIFIED]
Most Requested E90 Variants
- 1.1. 220i
- 2.2. 230i
- 3.3. M240i
Average E90 Replacement Cost
£4,200 reconditioned, supply only [BMW-QUOTE]
Most Common E90 Failures
- 1.1. Timing chain guides (N20)
- 2.2. Cooling system leaks (B-series)
- 3.3. EGR cooler (B47 diesel)
BMW 220i
F23 (N20)
5
enquiries
BMW 230i
F23 (B48)
4
enquiries
BMW M240i
F23 (B58)
3
enquiries
FAQ
Why UK BMW 2 Series F23 Owners Trust BMWEngines.uk
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UK Engine Replacement Services for F23
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