Characteristics of the N46B20 engine
| Characteristics | Reference |
|---|---|
| Manufacturing | BMW Plant Hams Hall |
| Engine make | N46 |
| Years of production | 2004-2012 |
| Cylinder block material | Aluminum |
| Power system | Injector |
| Type | Ready |
| Number of cylinders | 4 |
| Valves per cylinder | 4 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 90 |
| Cylinder diameter, mm | 84 |
| Compression ratio | 10.5 |
| Engine displacement, cc | 1995 |
| Power, hp/rpm | 129/5750, 136/5750, 143/6000, 150/6200, 170/6400 |
| Torque, Nm/rpm | 180/3250, 180/3250, 200/3750, 200/3600, 210/4100 |
| Environmental norms | Euro 4-5 |
| Engine weight, kg | – |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km (320i E90) | – City: 10.7; Highway: 5.6; Mixed: 7.4 |
| Oil consumption, g/1000 km | up to 700 |
| Engine oil | 5W-30, 5W-40 |
| Oil quantity, l | 4.25 |
| When changing pour, l | 4 |
| Oil change, km | 10000 |
| Engine operating temperature, deg | – |
| Engine life, thousand kilometers | Factory: -; In practice: 250+ |
| Tuning, hp | Potential: 200+; Without loss of resource: n.a.d. |
| Installed on | BMW 118i E87, BMW 120i E87, BMW 318i E46, BMW 318i E90, BMW 320i E90, BMW 520i E60, BMW X1 E84, BMW X3 E83, BMW Z4 E85 |
Reliability and repair of BMW N46B20 engine
BMW N46B20The next generation of BMW inline four-cylinder engines following the N42B20 was named N46, and the new 2-liter version is the N46B20. This motor was created on the basis of N42B20 and at first glance does not differ from the predecessor, but it is not so. Differences of BMW N42 from N46 are as follows: another crankshaft, balancer shafts, connecting rods and cylinder head cover, redesigned intake manifold, modified timing chain tensioner, new plugs and generator, integrated Valvetronic control unit in ECU and some other small things. Otherwise, it is the same N42 with its pros and cons.
Engine management system Bosch ME 9.2/Bosch MV17.4.6.
Since 2007 the engine has been somewhat modernized, the intake manifold and exhaust camshaft have been replaced
This motor was used on BMW cars with index 18i and 20i.
The N46B20 motor served as a base for the development of its younger brother N46B18.
In addition, the N46B20 has several related models from the 42nd family: N45B20S and N43B20.
The engine was replaced in 2012 with a new turbocharged in-line four-cylinder N13B16, with a working volume of only 1.6 liters.
Modifications of the BMW N46B20 engine
- BMW N46B20O0 (2004 – 2007) – the basic variation of the engine with an output of 143 hp at 6000 rpm, torque 200 Nm at 3750 rpm.
- BMW N46B20U2 (2004 – 2007) – simplified version with a different intake manifold without DISA, different exhaust camshaft. Power 136 hp at 5750 rpm, torque 180 Nm at 3250 rpm.
- BMW N46B20U1 (2004 – 2007 model years) – analog N46B20U2 with an output of 129 hp at 5750 rpm, torque 180 Nm at 3250 rpm.
- BMW N46B20O1 (2004 – 2007) – version with output of 150 hp at 6200 rpm, torque 200 Nm at 3600 rpm. Without supplementary air system.
- BMW N46B20O1 (2004 – 2007 model years) – analog of the above version with a system of supplementary air supply. Power 150 hp at 6200 rpm, torque 200 Nm at 3750 rpm.
- BMW N46NB20 (2007 – 2012) – analog of the 150 hp version, with a different cylinder-head cover, modified exhaust system, new engine management system Bosch MV17.4.6. Power output 170 hp at 6400 rpm, torque 210 Nm at 4100 rpm.
Problems and disadvantages of BMW N46B20 engines
- Oil burn. The causes of the phenomenon, as well as on N42, is the use of low-quality, unrecommended BMW engine oil and failed oil caps. As a result, the caps are replaced, and a little later the oil rings. This happens, on average, after 50 thousand kilometers of mileage. Low-quality oil causes problems with Valvetronic, Vanos, oil pump, KVKG and so on. It is definitely not worth saving money here.
- Vibration. This unpleasantness is removed by cleaning the system of gas distribution phase change Vanos.
- Noise, dieseling. The reasons are the same as on N42: tensioner or stretched timing chain. After about 100 thousand kilometers such problems are not rare.
- In addition, after 50 thousand kilometers may begin to leak and ask for replacement of the valve cover gasket, over time leaks and asks for repair and vacuum pump.
To protect yourself from possible troubles, you should use only high-quality and recommended by the manufacturer working fluids, regularly service and monitor the condition of your N46B20. If these conditions are met, you will most likely avoid serious problems and your engine will run like clockwork.
Tuning the BMW N46B20 engine
Chip tuning
The most trivial way to add a few horses to the N46B20 is an aggressive firmware, along with a low-impedance filter and a catless exhaust. After such transformations, your motor will get about 10 hp and a sense of dynamics.
Besides firmware, there are ready compressor kits on the market with everything you need to get 220+ hp, but the cost of such solutions is quite high and is about half the price of your car. Given this, this option is of little relevance to the average car enthusiast.
MOTOR RATING: 4