BMW 116d vs 118d: Which Budget 1 Series Diesel?
116d vs 118d is the budget 1 Series diesel decision, and it is mostly about how much performance you need for the extra money. The 116d is the cheapest, most economical, lowest-tax diesel 1 Series; the 118d adds meaningful power and torque for a modest premium. Both span the rear-drive F20 (2011 to 2019) and the front-drive F40 (2019 onwards), and the generation you choose matters as much as the badge.
Quick verdict
118d for most buyers: the extra power and torque make it a far better all-rounder for motorway and loaded driving, for only a small price step. 116d if the absolute lowest running costs, tax, and insurance are the priority. Watch the engine detail: the F20 LCI 116d uses a 1.5-litre three-cylinder, while the 118d is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder throughout, which is a real refinement difference. ULEZ follows the usual rule: post-2014 Euro 6 diesels comply; pre-2014 N47 cars do not, so verify the V5.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | 116d | 118d | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power / torque | 116 bhp / around 260 to 270 Nm | 143 to 150 bhp / around 320 to 350 Nm | The 118d's torque advantage is what you feel most day to day. |
| 0-62 mph | Around 10.1 to 10.3 seconds | Around 8.4 to 8.9 seconds | The 118d is noticeably brisker, especially when loaded or overtaking. |
| Engine | N47 2.0 (pre-LCI); B37 1.5 three-cyl (F20 LCI); B47 2.0 (F40) | N47 2.0 then B47 2.0 four-cylinder throughout | F20 LCI 116d three-cylinder vs 118d four-cylinder is a key refinement point. |
| Real-world UK MPG | 55 to 68 mpg combined | 50 to 62 mpg combined | 116d is the economy champion; 118d is still very frugal. |
| Refinement (F20 LCI) | Three-cylinder thrum under load | Smoother four-cylinder | Most audible at idle and low speed on the 1.5 three-cylinder 116d. |
| Insurance group (UK) | Around 15 to 19 | Around 19 to 24 | 116d is cheaper to insure; both are affordable. |
| Platform by generation | F20 rear-wheel drive; F40 front-wheel drive | F20 rear-wheel drive; F40 front-wheel drive | The F20 is the last rear-drive 1 Series; the F40 is roomier in the back. |
| ULEZ compliance | Build-date dependent (post-2014 Euro 6 complies) | Build-date dependent (post-2014 Euro 6 complies) | Verify the V5 emissions class; pre-2014 N47 cars are Euro 5. |
116d: deeper look
<p>The 116d is the entry diesel 1 Series and the cheapest to buy, tax, and insure. In the F20 it started as a detuned N47 2.0-litre four (pre-LCI, 2011 to 2015), then switched at the 2015 facelift to the B37 1.5-litre three-cylinder (116 bhp), which is where the refinement conversation starts: the three-cylinder has a characteristic thrum under load that the 118d's four-cylinder does not. In the front-drive F40 (2019 onwards) the 116d uses a B47 2.0-litre four.</p><p>Its appeal is running cost: 55 to 68 mpg in the real world, low tax bands, and cheap insurance make it the sensible-shoes 1 Series. The trade-off is pace, 0-62 in around 10 seconds and modest torque, which feels adequate solo around town but stretched when loaded or overtaking on the motorway. Pre-2014 N47 cars carry the timing-chain risk and are Euro 5 (not ULEZ-compliant), so verify chain history and the V5 emissions class.</p>
118d: deeper look
<p>The 118d is the mid diesel 1 Series and the sweet spot of the range for most buyers. It uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder throughout (N47 pre-2014, then B47), producing 143 to 150 bhp and around 320 to 350 Nm, for 0-62 in the mid-eight-second range. That extra torque transforms the car when it is loaded with passengers or luggage, or when overtaking, and the four-cylinder is smoother than the F20 LCI 116d's three-cylinder.</p><p>For only a small step up in purchase price, tax, and insurance, the 118d gives up very little economy (still 50 to 62 mpg real-world) while being a far more capable all-rounder. In the rear-drive F20 it is the enthusiast's budget pick; in the front-drive F40 it is the practical, roomier family hatch. The same caveats apply: post-2014 B47 builds are Euro 6 and ULEZ-compliant, pre-2014 N47 cars are not, and the N47 carries the timing-chain conversation.</p>
Decision logic
Decide first how you use the car. If it is mostly a solo city and commuter runabout and you want the lowest possible tax, insurance, and fuel bills, the 116d is the frugal choice, and the small F20 LCI three-cylinder is fine at urban speeds. If you carry passengers or luggage, spend time on motorways, or simply want a car that never feels stretched, the 118d is worth its modest premium: more torque, quicker overtaking, and a smoother four-cylinder. Then choose the generation: the F20 is the value buy and the last rear-drive 1 Series (enthusiast appeal), while the F40 is roomier in the back and more practical but front-driven. On any diesel, verify the V5 for ULEZ and check timing-chain history on pre-2014 N47 cars.
UK 2026 pricing comparison
| Scenario | 116d | 118d | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| F20 pre-LCI 116d / 118d, 100k miles (N47) | £4,500 to £7,500 (116d) | £5,500 to £9,000 (118d) | Cheapest 1 Series diesels; Euro 5, not ULEZ-compliant; check chain history. |
| F20 LCI 116d (B37) / 118d (B47), 60k miles | £7,500 to £11,000 (116d 1.5 three-cyl) | £9,000 to £13,000 (118d 2.0 four-cyl) | Euro 6, ULEZ-compliant; the 118d's four-cylinder is the refinement pick. |
| F20 M Sport, 50k miles | £9,000 to £13,500 (116d M Sport) | £11,000 to £15,500 (118d M Sport) | M Sport trim adds around £1,000 to £2,000 on both. |
| F40 (front-drive) 116d / 118d Sport, 40k miles | £13,000 to £19,000 (116d) | £15,000 to £22,000 (118d) | Current-gen front-drive 1 Series; roomier rear, ULEZ-compliant. |
| Freshest F40 M Sport, sub-30k miles | £16,000 to £21,000 (116d) | £18,000 to £24,000 (118d) | Latest tech and lowest miles; strongest residuals. |
Recommendation by scenario
| Scenario | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest running costs / city runabout | 116d | Cheapest to buy, tax, and insure, with 55 to 68 mpg. For solo urban and commuter use the modest power is adequate, and it is the frugal-shoes choice. |
| Motorway or loaded driving | 118d | The extra torque (around 320 to 350 Nm) makes overtaking and loaded driving effortless where the 116d feels stretched. For only a small premium it is the better all-rounder. |
| Refinement-conscious buyer | 118d (four-cylinder) | The F20 LCI 116d's 1.5-litre three-cylinder thrums under load; the 118d's 2.0-litre four is smoother. If NVH matters, the 118d is the pick, or an F40 116d which uses the four-cylinder B47. |
| Rear-drive enthusiast on a budget | F20 118d M Sport | The F20 is the last rear-wheel-drive 1 Series, and the 118d gives the best blend of pace and economy. A cheap, characterful, involving hatch. |
| Practical family hatch | F40 118d | The front-drive F40 is roomier in the rear and more practical than the F20. The 118d's torque suits family loads, and post-2019 cars are all ULEZ-compliant. |
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Frequently asked questions
Is the 118d worth the extra over the 116d?
For most buyers, yes. The 118d adds around 30 bhp and a big slug of torque (roughly 320 to 350 Nm vs 260 to 270), cutting the 0-62 time from around 10 seconds to the mid-eights and transforming the car when loaded or overtaking. It gives up very little economy (still 50 to 62 mpg real-world) for only a small step in purchase price, tax, and insurance. Unless the lowest possible running cost is your priority, the 118d is the better buy.
Is the 116d too slow?
Not for its intended use. With 116 bhp and 0-62 in around 10 seconds it is adequate for solo city and commuter driving, where it feels perfectly fine. It only feels stretched when fully loaded, climbing, or overtaking on faster roads. If most of your driving is urban and light, the 116d is fine; if you regularly carry passengers or cover motorway miles, the 118d's extra torque is worth having.
What is the three-cylinder 116d, and should I avoid it?
At the 2015 F20 facelift the 116d switched to the B37 1.5-litre three-cylinder diesel (still 116 bhp). It is economical and ULEZ-compliant, but has a characteristic three-cylinder thrum under load that some buyers dislike. It is not a reliability concern, purely a refinement one. If smoothness matters, choose the 118d (2.0-litre four) or an F40 116d, which uses the four-cylinder B47. The pre-2015 116d and all 118d cars are four-cylinders.
F20 or F40, which 1 Series should I buy?
The F20 (2011 to 2019) is the value buy and the last rear-wheel-drive 1 Series, which gives it enthusiast appeal and a more balanced drive, though rear space is tight. The F40 (2019 onwards) switched to front-wheel drive, which most buyers never notice but which frees up noticeably more rear legroom and boot practicality. For driving involvement and value, F20; for space and the newest tech, F40.
Are the 116d and 118d ULEZ-compliant?
It depends on the build date, not the badge. Post-2014 Euro 6 diesels (B37, B47) are ULEZ-compliant; pre-2014 N47 cars are Euro 5 and are not. Always verify the emissions class on the V5 before buying. Every F40 (2019 onwards) is compliant. For London use, buy a post-2015 F20 or any F40 and confirm Euro 6 on the paperwork.
Does the 116d or 118d have the N47 timing-chain problem?
Only the pre-2014 N47 versions of either car. Both the 116d and 118d used the N47 2.0-litre diesel before the switch to B-series engines, and pre-2014 N47s carry the well-known timing-chain risk (the chain runs at the back of the engine, making replacement labour-intensive, around £1,500 to £2,500). On any N47 car, insist on documented chain history or budget the work. Post-2014 B37 and B47 engines are not affected.
How big is the fuel economy difference between them?
Small in practice. The 116d returns roughly 55 to 68 mpg combined in the real world and the 118d roughly 50 to 62 mpg, a difference of only around 5 to 8 mpg. Both are very frugal diesels. Because the gap is modest, the 118d's extra performance usually outweighs the small economy penalty for most buyers, unless you cover very high mileage where every mpg counts.