BMW 1 Series Crankshaft Replacement Parts

The BMW 1 Series ran in its second generation (E87/E81/E82/E88 platform) until 2011, when the F20/F21 generation took over, so a 2010 and a 2014 car are from entirely different generations with different engine families. Crankshaft compatibility is determined primarily by engine code rather than the model year or generation badge, so you need to match the engine code exactly — find yours on your V5 or via a VIN check. Even if two engines share a displacement and fuel type, internal dimensions can differ, so confirm the engine codes match before treating any cross-generation swap as compatible. Always verify the specific interchange with the breaker against your registration before purchasing.

The 116d and 118d both use diesel engines but can carry different engine codes depending on the production year and generation — the badge reflects power output tuning, not always a completely different bottom end, but it does not guarantee the crankshaft is the same part. Your engine code, printed on your V5 and stamped on the block, is the definitive check; if both cars share the same engine code the crankshaft is likely to be the same, but if the codes differ the parts may not interchange. Confirm the engine codes on both donor and recipient vehicles with the breaker before ordering.

No — trim levels such as SE, Sport, M Sport, and M140i refer to cosmetic and equipment packages and do not change the crankshaft fitted to the car. What matters entirely is the engine code, fuel type, and the specific engine variant under the bonnet, none of which are determined by trim designation. Two 1 Series in SE and M Sport trim running the same engine code will use the same crankshaft, so focus on matching the engine code rather than the trim name when sourcing from a breaker.

Yes, every BMW 1 Series variant has a crankshaft — it is a fundamental internal engine component present in every petrol and diesel engine the 1 Series has ever been sold with, from the early E87 generation launched in 2004 right through to the current F40 generation. There are no engine-layout exceptions here; unlike something like a propshaft or a turbocharger, a crankshaft exists in naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines alike. What varies significantly is the exact part, which is why matching by engine code is essential when sourcing a used unit from a breaker.

The F20 generation ran from 2011 to 2019 and received a significant facelift around 2015, after which some engine variants were updated or replaced with newer units that can carry different engine codes. If your pre-facelift and post-facelift cars share the exact same engine code then the crankshaft internals are very likely compatible, but if the engine code changed across that 2015 boundary — which did happen with several diesel and petrol units — the parts may differ. Name the engine codes from both vehicles when speaking to the breaker, and ask them to confirm the match against your specific registration rather than relying on year alone.

The single most important detail is your engine code, which you can find on your V5 logbook or obtain from a VIN check — this tells the breaker exactly which bottom-end specification your engine uses. You should also supply your registration number, the generation of 1 Series you have (for example E87 pre-2011 or F20 2011-2019), and whether the car is petrol or diesel, as these help the breaker cross-reference their stock quickly. Gearbox type (manual or automatic) is worth mentioning too, as it can relate to flywheel and rear-seal interfaces that affect which crankshaft assemblies are practical to fit.