BMW X1 ECU Remapping & Engine Tuning

Which X1 engines gain the most?

The first-generation E84 is the X1 where engine choice matters most, because its petrol range moved from naturally aspirated engines to turbocharged ones during production. The 2010–2011 xDrive25i uses the naturally aspirated N52 3.0 six and goes from 215 to 250 bhp (+16%). The later sDrive20i uses the N20 2.0 turbo four-cylinder and goes from 181 to 263 bhp (+45%), so after a remap the smaller turbo engine makes 13 bhp more than the remapped six. The 241 bhp xDrive28i uses the same N20 in a stronger state of tune and gains less, reaching 291 bhp (+20%).

Among the E84 diesels, the lowest outputs gain the most in percentage terms. The sDrive16d, with the N47 2.0 turbodiesel, goes from 114 to 160 bhp (+40%).

Every F48 engine is turbocharged, including the B37 and B38 1.5 three-cylinders at the entry level. The B48 2.0 petrol follows the same pattern as the N20: the 189 bhp 20i reaches 251 bhp (+32%), and the 228 bhp 25i reaches 276 bhp (+21%). The B37 three-cylinder 16d goes from 114 to 137 bhp (+20%), and the B47-engined 25d from 228 to 270 bhp (+18%).

X1 generations we cover

E84 (2009–2015). The first X1 was a five-door compact crossover, built from October 2009 to June 2015. Petrol engines ran from the naturally aspirated N46 2.0 and N52 3.0 to the N20 2.0 turbo and N55 3.0 turbo, and the diesels included the N47 2.0.

F48/F49 (2015–2022). The second generation was built from June 2015 to June 2022, with the F49 a long-wheelbase version for China, 110 mm longer between the axles. Engines are the B38 three-cylinder and B48 four-cylinder petrols and the B37 and B47 diesels; the 25i was sold as the xDrive28i in North America.

Last updated 19 October 2026