BMW 420i - How to distinguish between N20 or B48 examples?

[MitchT]

My research suggests that the BMW 420i had the N20 engine and then the B48. The engine change happened at some point during 2016. Does anyone know how to distinguish between the two? Did any external styling changes happen at the same time as the engine change? I understand that there were some issues with the N20 which the B48 solved, so I'd prefer a car with a B48. Budgetary constraints mean it'll be an early one so I don't want to risk ending up with an N20.

[naturalaspiration]

You need the last seven digits of the VIN, go to realoem, decode the vin and check what engine it has. Or compare visually - very different engine cover. The switchover was in February 2016 or thereabouts. LCI is a safe bet - they only have B48.

[MitchT]

naturalaspiration said:

You need the last seven digits of the VIN, go to realoem, decode the vin and check what engine it has.

Thanks. Would a dealer give me the VIN via email if a car I'm interested in is a long way away or is there a security reason for not revealing it?

[P. ONeill]

Shouldn’t have any issue giving you the VIN, though I would have thought the dealer could tell you which engine it has.

[_Hoppers]

When the N47 diesel was replaced with the B47 one of the cosmetic changes was the HVAC display going from orange leds to white. Perhaps the same is true for the petrol model update?

[stevemcs]

LCi does the same irc, also cup holders in the front get a sliding cover over them.

[MrBen1]

MitchT said:

naturalaspiration said:

You need the last seven digits of the VIN, go to realoem, decode the vin and check what engine it has.

Thanks. Would a dealer give me the VIN via email if a car I'm interested in is a long way away or is there a security reason for not revealing it?

If they don't want to give you the VIN, just ask them to send a photo of the engine and compare to photos of each - engine covers are different.

[un1eash]

I thought the engine swap over was more 2015 and for the 20i easiest way to tell was twin exhaust pipe.

[stevemcs]

MitchT said:

Thanks. Would a dealer give me the VIN via email if a car I'm interested in is a long way away or is there a security reason for not revealing it?

Or post the reg number and i can check.

[anonymous-user]

This might help OP:

https://www.realoem.com/