Car Model Guide/ Engines/ N43B16

N43B16

The 1.6 direct-injection 116i from the 2007 facelift. Economical when healthy, and the same story as the larger N43: the piezo injectors and NOx sensors are what turn a cheap car into an expensive one.

ConfigurationI4, naturally aspirated, lean-burnDisplacement1599 cc
FuelpetrolInjectiondirect
Shared componentspiezo injectors · NOx sensor · direct injection

Cars using this engine

VariantChassisBodyYearsPowerRiskGood buy
116iE87hatchback2007–2011122 PSR3€3,500
116iE81hatchback2007–2011122 PSR3€3,100

Engine and component issues

Carbon buildup on intake valvesdirect injection€400–€700
Rough cold idle, slow throttle response, misfires, gradual loss of low-end response. Direct injection puts no fuel over the intake valves, so crankcase vapour deposits bake on undisturbed.
Check: Not visible without a borescope. Treat it as a service item that's due unless there's a receipt. It's not a fault, it's an unbudgeted maintenance cost.
Turbo & intakeuniversalNot detectable at viewingevidence: documented80120k km
NOx sensor failureNOx sensor€300–€600
Engine warning light, noticeably worse fuel consumption, loss of lean-burn mode. The NOx sensor in the exhaust degrades. The engine then runs permanently rich, which is drivable but expensive.
Check: Scan for NOx sensor and lean-mode codes. Ask the seller what the car returns on a run. A lean-burn four that drinks like a six has a dead sensor.
EmissionscommonDetectable at viewingevidence: documented90180k km
Piezo injector failure (lean-burn petrol)piezo injectors€350–€500
Rough idle, shaking at standstill, misfire warnings, poor cold running, sometimes limp mode. The stratified-charge petrol engines use piezo injectors that are sensitive to fuel quality and wear out. They typically fail one at a time over several years.
Check: Scan for per-cylinder misfires and check how many injectors have already been replaced. A car with all six done recently is worth a real premium over one with none.
FuelcommonPartly detectableevidence: manufacturer80160k km

Chassis, gearbox and body issues aren't listed here. They depend on which car the engine is fitted to. Open a variant page for the merged list.