BMW 1 Series
WBAUF120Stock varies — page stays liveThe pre-facelift E87 120i featured the naturally aspirated N46 Valvetronic engine, delivering 150 horsepower to the rear wheels, making it a highly engaging premium hatchback.
Engine
N46B20 2.0L Valvetronic Inline-4
Displacement
1,995 cc
Drive
2WD (FR)
Gearbox
6MT / 6AT
Fuel
Petrol
Body
Hatchback
BMW 1 Series — representative 1st Gen (E87 Pre-LCI) imageChassis variants of the 1 Series
ChassisEngineDisplacementDriveGearbox
WBAUF120N46B20 2.0L Valvetronic Inline-41,995 ccFR6MT / 6AT
WBAUE120N43B20 2.0L High Precision Injection Inline-41,995 ccFR6MT / 6ATWBAUE320N46N 2.0L Valvetronic Inline-41,995 ccFR6ATDimensions & shipping volume
Length
4,227 mm
Width
1,751 mm
Height
1,430 mm
Weight
1,375 kg
Shipping volume
10.58 M³
Manufacture year vs. registration year
Japanese paperwork shows the first registration date, but African customs count age from the month of manufacture. Verify with the chassis serial before purchase:
Serial prefixProduction periodSeries
UF11/UF12XXXXXXSep 2004 – Feb 2007Pre-LCI European and General Specification
Import eligibility by country (2004–2007)
KenyaNot eligible
8-year limit from manufacture — all units now exceed it.UgandaNot eligible
15-year limit from manufacture — all units now exceed it.TanzaniaEligible
No age ban; vehicles over 10 years pay additional excise duty.ZambiaEligible
No age limit; surtax applies to vehicles older than 5 years.MalawiEligible
No age limit; duty calculated on cc and age band.Common questions about the WBAUF120
What are common maintenance issues for the N46 engine in the WBAUF120?
Common issues include oil leaks from the valve cover gasket, vacuum pump, and oil filter housing, as well as worn valve stem seals causing blue exhaust smoke, and failing Vanos solenoids.
Does the WBAUF120 have hydraulic or electric power steering?
The pre-facelift WBAUF120 features a traditional hydraulic power steering system, offering excellent road feel and feedback compared to later electric systems.