Used BMW 1 Series Side Skirt

Both years fall within the first-generation BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E87/E88 platform, produced 2004–2013), so they share the same basic body structure, but the E87/E81 received a facelift in 2007 that updated exterior panels including bumpers and trim lines. Whether the side skirts interchange across that facelift boundary is something you should confirm with the breaker against your specific registration, as panel profiles can differ subtly around that update.

No — the F20 (second generation, 2011–2019) and the F40 (third generation, 2019–present) are entirely different platforms and the body panels are not interchangeable. Always source a side skirt that matches your specific generation: F20 for 2011–2019 cars, or F40 for 2019-onwards cars.

The trim level does not change the underlying body panel or the platform fitment, but M Sport models on both the F20 and F40 generations came with a specific M Sport body kit that includes a different style of side skirt to the standard Sport trim. If your car has the M Sport body kit fitted, you need to source an M Sport side skirt to match; confirm with the breaker what trim the donor vehicle was to make sure the style is correct.

Both the 3-door (E81/F21) and 5-door (E87/F20) variants within a generation share the same side skirt profile along the sill, so the door count does not typically affect fitment for this part. For a 2016 car you are in the F20/F21 generation (2011–2019), so source a side skirt from that generation regardless of door count.

The F20 1 Series was facelifted in 2015, which brought updates to lights, grille and bumpers, but the sill area and side skirt mounting points are largely consistent across the F20 generation. Whether a specific pre-facelift skirt fits cleanly on a post-facelift car is something worth confirming with the breaker against your registration, as minor profile differences around the bumper transition points can sometimes affect the fit.

Engine type has no bearing on side skirt fitment; the body panels are the same across petrol and diesel variants within any given generation and facelift period. What matters is the generation (E87/E81 pre-2013, F20/F21 2011–2019, or F40 2019-onwards), the facelift period within that generation, and the body kit trim (standard versus M Sport), so focus on those details when speaking to the breaker.