BMW F40 Buyer Guide: 1 Series (2019-present)
The F40 1 Series is BMW's third-generation 1 Series and the FIRST front-wheel-drive 1 Series ever made. UK launch September 2019, replacing the RWD-based F20. Built on the UKL2 platform shared with Mini, F48 X1, and the 2 Series Gran Coupe (F44). Transverse engine layout produces more cabin space than F20 but lost the rear-wheel-drive character. M135i xDrive (pre-LCI) and M135 xDrive (LCI rename) are the M Performance halos. LCI 2024 brought iDrive 8.5 with curved display and 48V mild-hybrid across the range.
Quick verdict
The F40 1 Series is the modern entry-level BMW: practical, ULEZ-compliant from launch, cheaper than equivalent F30 3 Series, and with materially better infotainment than F20. Trade-off: lost the RWD character that made F20 special. If you want the last RWD 1 Series, go F20; if you want a modern car at entry-BMW prices, F40 is the right pick. Modal value buy is 118d M Sport (B47 diesel, 8-speed Aisin auto); petrol pick is 118i (B38 3-cyl); halo is M135i / M135 xDrive.
What is the BMW F40?
Most F40 1 Series cars in UK classifieds are 2020-2023 118d / 120d xDrive M Sport examples with 30,000 to 80,000 miles. Ex-fleet and ex-PCP volume is significant. The F40 is the cheapest way into a CURRENT-gen BMW hatchback in 2026 (£13,000-£25,000 used for pre-LCI). M135i xDrive (B48 306 bhp pre-LCI, B48 300 bhp LCI) is the M Performance halo: FWD-based AWD with 7DCT. Not the same character as the F20 M140i but objectively faster (4.8-second 0-60). The F40 is the right used buy for the price-conscious BMW buyer who doesn't have the RWD purist itch.
F40 1 Series launched UK September 2019, replacing the RWD-based F20. Built on the FWD-based UKL2 platform shared with Mini and F48 X1. Transverse engine layout, more cabin space than F20, but lost the rear-wheel-drive character that defined the F20 M140i. M135i xDrive is the AWD performance halo. LCI 2024 brought iDrive 8.5 with curved display, revised styling, and 48V mild-hybrid across diesel variants.
| Series | 1 Series |
|---|---|
| Body style | Hatchback (5-door, FWD) |
| Generation | 3 |
| UK production years | 2019 to present |
| Predecessor | F20 |
| Successor | n/a |
| LCI (facelift) year | 2024 |
| Related chassis | F44 (2 Series Gran Coupe (saloon variant; same UKL2 platform)), F20 (1 Series predecessor (2011-2019, last RWD 1 Series; mechanically different)) |
| Length / Width / Wheelbase | 4319 / 1799 / 2670 mm |
Pre-LCI vs LCI: what changed
F40 launched September 2019 with B38 petrol (118i), B48 petrol (120i, M135i xDrive), B47 diesel (116d, 118d, 120d xDrive). LCI 2024 brought iDrive 8.5 + curved display, revised styling, 48V mild-hybrid across the range, and badge renames (120i became 120; M135i became M135). Some pre-LCI variants discontinued at LCI (120d xDrive went away as 120 xDrive). Production continues.
Engines and which to choose
Daily diesel value: 118d M Sport (B47, 150 bhp, 8-speed Aisin auto, FWD). Petrol value: 118i (B38 3-cyl, 140 bhp). Family long-distance: 120d xDrive M Sport (pre-LCI only, B47 AWD with 7DCT). Enthusiast / halo: M135i xDrive (pre-LCI 306 bhp) or M135 xDrive LCI (300 bhp + 48V MHEV). The post-LCI M135 is the cleanest spec but commands £35k+ used.
| Badge | Engine | Years | Power | Fuel | ULEZ | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 118i | B38 |
2019-present | 140 bhp | petrol (mild-hybrid post-LCI) | Yes | 3-cylinder petrol; the value entry; characteristic thrum |
| 120i (pre-LCI) | B48 |
2019-2022 | 178 bhp | petrol | Yes | 4-cylinder petrol; discontinued at mid-cycle |
| 120 (LCI rename) | B48 |
2024-present | 170 bhp | petrol (mild-hybrid) | Yes | LCI revival; 48V MHEV; xDrive optional |
| M135i xDrive (pre-LCI) | B48 |
2019-2024 | 306 bhp | petrol | Yes | M Performance halo; FWD-based AWD; 0-60 ~4.8s |
| M135 xDrive (LCI rename) | B48 |
2024-present | 300 bhp | petrol (mild-hybrid) | Yes | LCI rename; same engine; 48V MHEV added |
| 116d | B47 |
2019-present | 116 bhp | diesel (mild-hybrid post-LCI) | Yes | Entry diesel; FWD; the long-distance value pick |
| 118d | B47 |
2019-present | 150 bhp | diesel (mild-hybrid post-LCI) | Yes | Mid-range diesel; modal F40 diesel |
| 120d xDrive | B47 |
2019-2024 | 190 bhp | diesel | Yes | Top diesel; AWD; the family long-distance pick; discontinued at LCI |
Engine codes link to the dedicated reliability guide where one exists. Codes without a guide link to the chassis × engine reference until the engine page is published.
ULEZ status by year and engine
All F40 1 Series builds (every engine, every year) are Euro 6 from launch and ULEZ-compliant. No ULEZ concern. AdBlue / SCR system on diesels is standard.
Common F40-specific problems
Chassis-level failure modes only: body, electrics, infotainment, suspension, ancillaries. Engine-specific faults (timing chain, EGR, DPF) live on the engine guides linked above.
| Failure mode | Severity | Frequency | Typical onset | UK repair range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7DCT dual-clutch wear (xDrive variants) | Serious | Uncommon | 60 to 130k mi | £1,800 to £3,500 |
| EGR cooler fire-risk recall (B47 diesels) | Serious | Common | 0 to 999k mi | Free (recall) or up to £800 |
| 48V mild-hybrid BSG wear (LCI 2024+) | Moderate | Uncommon | 30 to 100k mi | £1,000 to £2,200 |
| Electric water pump failure | Moderate | Uncommon | 60 to 110k mi | £450 to £700 |
| Front lower control-arm bushes | Moderate | Common | 70 to 130k mi | £350 to £600 |
| iDrive 7 / 8.5 software glitches | Mild | Common | 0 to 999k mi | Free (recall) or up to £400 |
7DCT dual-clutch wear (xDrive variants)
- Jerky low-speed engagement
- Shudder under light throttle
- Burning smell from gearbox area
What to do about it: DCT fluid + filter service every 50,000 miles. £150 to £280 at indie.
If ignored: Full clutch pack replacement; £2,800-£4,500.
UK repair exposure: £1,800 to £3,500.
Additional notes: Same DCT as F48 X1 and U11. FWD-only variants use 8-speed Aisin auto (no concern).
EGR cooler fire-risk recall (B47 diesels)
- Coolant disappearing with no visible external leak
- DVSA / BMW recall letter
What to do about it: DVSA recall NSC R/2018/151. Free remedy at any BMW dealer.
If ignored: Documented engine bay fires on ignored cars (rare).
UK repair exposure: Up to £800 (free under recall if applicable).
Recall / TSB: NSC R/2018/151 (UK DVSA).
Additional notes: Affects all F40 B47 diesels.
48V mild-hybrid BSG wear (LCI 2024+)
- Stop-start no longer engages
- 12V system fault warning
What to do about it: BSG replacement under BMW warranty if within term. Out of warranty £1,000 to £2,200.
If ignored: 12V battery wear accelerates.
UK repair exposure: £1,000 to £2,200.
Additional notes: Applies only to LCI cars (2024+).
Electric water pump failure
- Coolant warning
- Overheating in traffic
What to do about it: Replace pump and thermostat together at 80k miles.
If ignored: Engine overheats; head gasket damage.
UK repair exposure: £450 to £700.
Front lower control-arm bushes
- Knock over bumps
- Shudder under braking
- MOT advisory
What to do about it: Replace in pairs. Parts £160 to £290.
If ignored: Steering wander; uneven tyre wear.
UK repair exposure: £350 to £600.
iDrive 7 / 8.5 software glitches
- Touchscreen lag
- Bluetooth dropouts
- Random reboots
What to do about it: BMW software updates via OTA or dealer.
If ignored: Cosmetic; recovers after reboot.
UK repair exposure: Up to £400 (free under recall if applicable).
Additional notes: iDrive 7 on pre-LCI; iDrive 8.5 on LCI.
MOT advisory patterns
Typical MOT advisories aggregated across UK F30 records. Not all will be present on any given car, but at 80,000+ miles you should expect at least two from this list:
- Lower front control arm bushes worn
- Brake disc surface corrosion
- Wiper blade deterioration
- Reduced beam alignment
- Tyre tread close to legal minimum
UK trim levels
The UK trim ladder for the F40, in roughly ascending order of equipment and used premium.
| Trim | Description |
|---|---|
| SE | Base trim; cloth or part-leather, 16 or 17 inch wheels. |
| Sport | Sport seats option, 17 or 18 inch wheels. |
| M Sport | M Sport bumpers, 18 or 19 inch alloys, M Sport suspension. The modal UK F40. |
| M Sport Pro / Shadow Edition | Gloss black trim, M Sport Plus pack. Worth £800 to £1,500 used premium. |
| M135 / M135i xDrive | M Performance halo; M Sport plus uprated chassis, M Sport seats, M Sport differential. |
Options worth chasing
The factory options below add measurable used premium or change the ownership experience meaningfully.
| Option | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Professional Navigation | Pre-LCI iDrive 7 with 10.25-inch screen; LCI iDrive 8.5 with curved display. |
| Heated front seats | Worth £200 to £350 used premium. |
| LED headlights | Standard on M Sport LCI. Worth £300 to £500 premium otherwise. |
| Comfort Access | Keyless entry. Worth £250 used premium. |
| Panoramic roof | Optional. Worth £500 to £800 used premium. |
| M Sport Plus / Shadow pack | Adds Harman Kardon + Sun protection + cruise. Worth £400 to £700 used premium. |
| Driving Assistant | Active cruise + lane assist. Worth £400 used premium. |
| M Sport Differential (M135i) | Limited-slip front differential. Worth £600 to £900 used premium when fitted. |
UK market pricing (2026)
| Example car | Indicative price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 F40 118d M Sport, 60,000 miles | £13,500 to £17,000 | Early F40; pre-LCI; modal value pick. |
| 2021 F40 118i M Sport, 40,000 miles | £16,000 to £20,000 | Petrol; pre-LCI; the city-bound pick. |
| 2023 F40 118d M Sport Shadow Edition, 30,000 miles | £22,000 to £27,000 | Final pre-LCI builds; cleanest used buys. |
| 2024 F40 120 M Sport LCI, 20,000 miles | £27,000 to £32,000 | Post-LCI; iDrive 8.5; 48V MHEV. |
| 2022 F40 M135i xDrive, 30,000 miles | £25,000 to £30,000 | M Performance halo; FWD-based AWD; sub-5-second 0-60. |
| 2024 F40 M135 xDrive LCI, 15,000 miles | £38,000 to £44,000 | Post-LCI M135; 48V MHEV added; freshest M Performance hot hatch. |
Price ranges are indicative UK figures for 2026 based on common AutoTrader listings. Real prices vary by region, history, and condition. View live AutoTrader listings for this chassis →
Pre-purchase checklist (F40-specific)
Add these F40-specific checks on top of our generic UK used-BMW inspection checklist:
- On any diesel: verify EGR cooler recall NSC R/2018/151 completed at gov.uk/check-vehicle-recall.
- On xDrive variants: demand 7DCT fluid receipts; same wear pattern as F48 X1 (£150-£280 service interval, £1,800-£3,500 if neglected).
- On LCI MHEV cars (2024+): confirm 48V BSG status; out-of-warranty failure £1,000 to £2,200.
- Test iDrive 7 (pre-LCI) or iDrive 8.5 (LCI) responsiveness; known bugs resolved with software updates.
- On M135i / M135: confirm aluminium charge pipe upgrade fitted; OEM plastic is the universal B-engine weak point.
- Check front lower control arm bushes; common MOT advisory by 80,000 miles.
- Inspect rear shock-absorber top mounts; UK winter corrosion-accelerated pattern.
- On 118i (B38 3-cylinder): confirm the 3-cyl thrum at idle is acceptable to you on test drive.
Buy, negotiate, or walk away
Buy
Post-2021 F40 118d M Sport with full BMW service history, EGR recall paperwork-confirmed, no MOT shock-mount advisories, iDrive functioning cleanly, no AdBlue active warnings.
Negotiate
Pre-2021 F40 with iDrive 7 older spec. Outstanding EGR recall. Missing 7DCT fluid receipts on xDrive. Rear shock top mounts MOT-advised (£180-£350). Front control arm bushes worn (£350-£600). LCI MHEV with BSG warning outside warranty.
Walk away
xDrive variant with active DCT shudder or burning smell from gearbox. M135i / M135 with no service history at 60,000+ miles or undocumented modifications. Heavy off-road damage. Salvage or write-off.
Check a specific F40 listing
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Run a Bimmer.AI buyer report →Long-term ownership verdict
F40 long-term is a straightforward modular-BMW story. sDrive (FWD) variants with the 8-speed Aisin auto are robust used buys: 200,000+ miles with standard modular wear items addressed (water pump, EGR recall, control arms, shock mounts). xDrive variants need 7DCT fluid discipline. M135i / M135 is one of the most reliable hot hatches BMW currently sells (B48 has fewer catastrophic failure modes than the older F20 M135i N55 or M140i B58). Specialist running cost: roughly £400 to £700 per year on top of fuel and tax.
Related chassis
The F40 shares its platform with related body styles and performance variants. Each is a different car with different fault patterns and a different used market.
Bimmer.AI is designed to help you identify BMW-specific buyer risks before you travel, negotiate, or pay for an inspection. It does not replace a physical inspection by a qualified mechanic, a legal vehicle-history check (e.g. HPI Check), or independent verification of finance, stolen, or write-off status. Repair-cost ranges are indicative UK figures that vary by region, specialist, parts supply, and labour rates.
Frequently asked questions
Is the F40 1 Series reliable?
Yes. sDrive (FWD) variants with the 8-speed Aisin auto are robust. xDrive variants carry the documented 7DCT clutch-pack wear concern in heavy stop-start use (£1,800-£3,500 if it fails). Standard modular B-engine wear items (water pump, EGR recall on diesels, control arms, shock mounts) are predictable. With service-history discipline, expect 200,000+ miles from any post-2020 F40 variant.
F40 1 Series vs F20 1 Series?
F40 is the FWD-based successor; F20 was the last RWD 1 Series. F40 has more cabin space, modern infotainment, ULEZ-compliant from launch, lost the RWD character. F20 M140i and M135i are the appreciating cult buys for the RWD character; F40 M135i / M135 are objectively faster but a different driving experience. Pick F40 if you want a modern practical car at entry-BMW price; pick F20 if you want the last RWD 1 Series.
Is the F40 1 Series ULEZ-compliant?
Yes, all F40 builds are Euro 6 from launch and ULEZ-compliant. No ULEZ concern.
Is the M135i xDrive a 'proper M car'?
No. M135i / M135 is M Performance, not a full M car. M2 (F87 then G87) is the proper M car in the 1 Series / 2 Series segment. M135i has B48 production engine plus chassis upgrades (M Sport suspension, M Sport differential, larger brakes); full M cars (M2) have bespoke M-engine components (S55 / S58). M135i is the daily-driver hot hatch; M2 is the focused track car.
What's the B38 3-cylinder petrol like in the 118i?
1.5L 3-cylinder, 140 bhp, smooth for a 3-cylinder but characteristic thrum at idle some buyers find intrusive. Real-world UK MPG: 38 to 48 combined. ULEZ-compliant. Reliability is strong. The right cheap petrol pick if you don't care about the cylinder count.
Should I buy F40 118d or 118i?
118d (150 bhp diesel) if you do over 8,000-10,000 miles per year and want the long-distance refinement. 118i (140 bhp 3-cyl petrol) if you do less than 8,000 miles per year, drive mostly city, or specifically dislike diesel. Both are ULEZ-compliant. 118i is cheaper to buy (around £1,500-£2,500 less for equivalent age and trim); 118d is cheaper to run per mile.
What's the F40 1 Series boot space?
380 litres seats up; 1,200 litres seats folded. Larger than F20 1 Series (360 L seats up). The transverse-engine FWD packaging improves cabin and boot space relative to the RWD F20.
M135i xDrive or M140i?
M135i xDrive (F40, B48 306 bhp pre-LCI / 300 bhp LCI MHEV): FWD-based AWD, 7DCT, 0-60 in 4.8s, modern car. M140i (F20, B58 340 bhp): RWD, manual or 8-speed ZF auto, 0-60 in 4.6s, last RWD 1 Series. Same use case (hot hatch) but completely different character. M140i is appreciating because of RWD scarcity; M135i is the safer modern daily pick.
How much does F40 1 Series servicing cost in the UK?
BMW dealer servicing: £300 to £450 for an inter-mediate service. Independent specialists: £200 to £320. Plus 7DCT fluid service every 50,000 miles on xDrive variants (£150 to £280). Standard wear items predictable. Realistic annual running cost: £400 to £700 plus fuel and tax.
F40 1 Series or F48 X1?
Same UKL2 platform, same engines, same gearbox options. F40 is the hatchback (380 L boot, 4,319 mm long); F48 is the small SUV (505 L boot, 4,439 mm long). F48 commands a £1,500-£3,000 used premium for the higher seating position and SUV body. F40 is the right pick if you don't need the SUV stance; F48 is the right pick if you do.