BMW 1 Series Rear Tailgate Replacement Parts

The BMW 1 Series ran as the E87/E81 generation until 2011, then was replaced by the F20/F21 generation from 2011 onwards, so a 2011 car could belong to either generation depending on exact build date — these are completely different bodies and their tailgates will not interchange. If both cars are confirmed F20/F21 models, door count still needs to match: the 3-door F21 and 5-door F20 use different tailgates and are not interchangeable. Always confirm the exact generation and door count with the breaker against both registration numbers before purchasing.

No — the 3-door F21 and 5-door F20 have different body apertures and their tailgates are unique to each body style; they will not swap across. The same applies to the previous E87 (5-door) and E81 (3-door) generation pairing. Make sure you tell the breaker whether your car is 3-door or 5-door when requesting a quote.

Trim level — whether SE, Sport, M Sport, or M140i specification — does not affect tailgate fitment on the BMW 1 Series; the shell is the same across trims within the same generation and door count. However, you may find cosmetic differences such as a different finish or spoiler lip on some variants, so check the appearance matches your car if that matters to you. Confirm generation and door count with the breaker and you should be fine.

The F20/F21 generation received a facelift in 2015, which brought styling updates that may have included changes to the tailgate pressing or glass cut. While the generation boundary is well established, whether the pre-facelift and post-facelift tailgates are interchangeable is something you should confirm with the breaker against your exact registration, as mid-generation pressing changes are not always straightforward. A breaker can check the part numbers to be certain.

No — the E87 (roughly 2004–2011) and the F20/F21 (2011 onwards) are entirely different platforms with no body panel compatibility; the tailgates are completely different in size, shape, and mounting. You must source a tailgate from the same generation as your car. Confirm your generation with the breaker using your registration plate to avoid any mismatch.

In principle, left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive 1 Series models share the same body shell and tailgate, as the tailgate sits centrally and is not side-specific. However, if there were any market-specific pressing or badging differences between variants sold under different names on the same platform, those details are worth confirming with the breaker against your registration before buying. Generation and door count remain the most important things to match.