Characteristics of the B38 engine
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Steyr Plant |
| Engine make | B38 |
| Years of production | 2014-now |
| Cylinder block material | aluminum |
| Power system | injector |
| Type | row |
| Number of cylinders | 3 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 94.6 |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 82 |
| Compression ratio | 9.5 (i8) 11 |
| Engine displacement, cc | 1499 |
| Engine power, hp/rpm | 75/3500-6500 102/3900-6500 102/4100-6000 109/4500-6000 136/4400-6000 140/4600-6500 231/5800-6000 (see description) |
| Torque, Nm/rpm | 160/1250-3000 190/1380-3600 180/1200-3800 180/1250-4250 220/1250-4300 220/1480-4200 320/3700 (see description) |
| Fuel | 98 |
| Environmental regulations | Euro 6 Euro 6d-TEMP |
| Engine weight, kg | – |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km (for 318i F30) | 6.7 (city) 4.6 (highway) 5.4 (mixed) |
| Oil consumption, gr./1000 km | up to 700 |
| Engine oil | 0W-30 0W-40 5W-30 5W-40 |
| How much oil in the engine, liters | 4.25 |
| Oil change is carried out, km | 15000 (better 7500) |
| The operating temperature of the engine, deg. | – |
| Engine life, thousand kilometers | – (according to the factory data) – (in practice) |
| Tuning, h.p. | 200+ (potential) – (without loss of resource) |
| Motor installed | BMW 116i/118i F20 BMW 216i/218i F22/F45 BMW 318i F30 BMW 418i F32 BMW X1 F48 BMW X2 F39 BMW i8 MINI Clubman MINI Cooper MINI Contryman MINI One |
Reliability, problems and repair of the BMW B38 engine
BMW B38In 2014, a replacement for the well-known N13 engine appeared, which received the index B38. It differs significantly from its predecessor and is a copy of the B48, but in a three-cylinder version. Here is the same aluminum closed cylinder block with 0.3 mm sputtering, inside which, on 4 supports, there is a crankshaft with a stroke of 94.6 mm, and the diameter of the cylinders is 82 mm. This gives a working volume of 1.5 liters. Since this BMW motor has only 3 cylinders, you can not do without a balancing shaft, and it is also installed here.
The block covers the head, the same as on the B48, but adapted to the 3-cylinder configuration. The head has 4 valves per cylinder, two camshafts and direct fuel injection. Valve sizes: intake 30mm/exhaust 28.5mm, valve stem diameter on intake 5mm, on exhaust 6mm. Both camshafts are equipped with Double-VANOS, and the intake camshaft is also equipped with Valvetronic.
The camshafts are rotated by a single-row timing chain.
The engine is blown by a Continental 7633795 turbine with a boost pressure of 1.17 bar.
On such powertrains are ECUs Bosch MEVD 17.2.3.
In 2018, the motors received GPF filters and became compliant with the Euro-6d-TEMP standard.
The well-known BMW i8 uses the B38 engine, but it is significantly modified and develops 231 horsepower. From the usual 136-horsepower engine, the i8 version differs by adapting it to a center-engine setup, the connecting rod and main bearings have been increased from 45 mm to 50 mm, and the compression ratio has been reduced from 11 to 9.5. There is also a new cylinder-head casting, a completely new intake system with an intercooler built into the intake manifold and a water-cooled throttle plate. A modified B38 turbine is fitted here, and the boost pressure has been increased to 1.5 bar. The exhaust system here is also completely its own.
To this motor is added an electric motor with an output of 131 hp. The total power of the two units is 362 hp at 5800 rpm, torque 570 Nm at 3700 rpm.
In 2017, the electric motor was further refined and the gasoline engine received a GPF filter and became Euro-6d-TEMP compliant. Total power increased to 374 hp at 5,800-6,000 rpm.
In addition to the 4-cylinder B48, this engine has a relative in the person of 3.0 l. B58, and it is also very close to the diesel B37.
Modifications of the BMW B38 engine
- B38A15U0 (2015 – present) is the version for the front-wheel drive MINI One, Clubman and Countryman models, as well as the BMW 216i. These versions have 102 hp at 3900-6500 rpm, 190 Nm of torque at 1380-3600 rpm
- B38B15U0 (2015 – present) is the analog of the B38A15U0, but for rear-wheel drive cars. Power 109 hp at 4500-6000 rpm, torque 180 Nm at 1250-3900 rpm. Found on BMWs with 16i numbers.
- B38A15M0 (2014 – current) – the most popular version with 136 hp at 4500-6000 rpm, 220 Nm torque at 1250-4000 rpm. It is installed on front-wheel drive cars with index 18i.
- B38B15M0 (2015 – present) – analog of B38A15M0, but in a classic longitudinal design. Power 136 hp at 4000-6000 rpm, torque 220 Nm at 1250-4000 rpm. Stands on rear-wheel drive BMWs with the designation 18i.
- B38A15M1 (2018 – present) – GPF-filtered version that meets Euro-6d-TEMP standards. Power output is 140 hp at 4600-6500 rpm, torque 220 Nm at 1480-4200 rpm. The motor is still found in BMWs with 18i in the name.
- B38K15T0 (2014 – present) – transverse version, which is created for BMW i8 and installed in the center. Detailed description and differences from the regular B38, you will find above.
Problems and disadvantages of BMW B38 engines
This three-cylinder engine has excellent reviews, despite its very modest size, serves well and does not bring big problems. The resource of the motor is not yet known, but the warranty of 2 years he goes without problems. Watch the cooling system, pour only quality oil and good gasoline, regularly maintain your car, and the life of your B38 will be quite sane.
Tuning the BMW B38 engine
Chip tuning
Even though this is a BMW motor with 3 cylinders, you can flash it and get pretty decent power, which will allow your car to go a little faster. There are no problems with the firmware – you come to the tuning office, you pour the firmware Stage 1 and the motor shows not 136 hp, but all 170-180 hp. Torque increases to 280+ Nm. The same figures are achievable on the de-fortified versions (102-109 hp).
Happy owners of the BMW i8 can count on 400 hp and about 650 Nm of torque after chip tuning.
MOTOR RATING: 5-