BMW 218i (F22/F23)
BMW 2 series 2013 1.5 petrol description
Coupe BMW 218i has been produced from January, 2015 to December, 2017. It has three-cylinder petrol engine with displacement of 1.5 litres, which produces power of 136 horsepower on 4500 rpm and torque 220 Nm (Newton metres) on 1250 revolutions per minute.
This 3-cylinder 12-valve engine camshaft is driven by chain (What is an engine chain and belt? ). Engine has fuel injection system and Continental turbine. The engine meets the Euro 6 emissions standard. Engine lifespan (mileage before major repairs or overhaul) can last from 220 up to 370 thousand kilometres. It is important to remember that engine life is highly dependent on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used.
More engine specs
The B38 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine, introduced in 2013, was designed with a focus on fuel efficiency and low emissions to meet modern environmental standards. ...
BMW 218i has classical rear wheel drive (RWD) and manual gearbox with 6 gears.
BMW 218i accelerates to speed 100 kilometres per hour in 8.8 seconds. The maximum speed of this car is 210 km/h.
The fuel consumption of this version of BMW 218i reported by owners in daily driving mode is 7.4 litres per 100km.

BMW 218i technical data
Model: | BMW 218i | ||
---|---|---|---|
Body style: | Coupe | ||
Production period: | 2015. January ... 2017. December | ||
Engine: | 1499 cm3 Petrol, 3 cylinders | CO2 emissions: | no data |
Power: | 136 HP ON 4500 RPM | Torque: | 220 NM ON 1250 RPM |
Gearbox: | Manual gearbox (6 gears) | Drive type: | Rear wheel drive (RWD) |
Top speed: | 210 km/h | Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 8.8 seconds |
Fuel consumption: | 7.4 l/100km (31.8 MPG) by user reviews from various sources | ||
Fuel tank capacity: | 52 litres (13.7 gallons) | ||
Car dimensions: | 4.43m (length) 1.77m (width) 1.42m (height) | ||
Turning diameter: | 10.9 meters | ||
Ground clearance: | 140 mm (approximate, with standard suspension, unladen vehicle) | ||
Trunk capacity: | 390 litres | ||
Gross weight: | 1850 kg |
BMW 218i engine B38
Engine reliability and common problems:
The B38 1.5-liter three-cylinder petrol engine, introduced in 2013, was designed with a focus on fuel efficiency and low emissions to meet modern environmental standards. While it received generally positive feedback, it isn’t without issues.Common problems include rapid wear of the timing chain, injection system malfunctions, and occasional short circuits in the wiring harness. Overheating has also been reported, and in some cases, it leads to serious engine damage. BMW has addressed many of these issues in later production versions, improving reliability over time.
A known structural weakness is the turbine housing, which is made of aluminum and integrated with the exhaust manifold. Subject to high thermal loads, it can develop cracks that result in coolant leaks.
As with most direct injection engines, carbon buildup on intake valves is a typical issue. This leads to rough idle and unstable performance, often described as “fluctuating revs.”
Other weak points include the relatively short-lived catalytic converter and the EVAP purge valve. At higher mileage, failures in the VANOS and Valvetronic systems also become more common.
Despite its compact size and three-cylinder layout, the B38 responds well to chip tuning. With a proper remap, output can be increased from the stock 136 hp to over 170 hp, and torque from 220 Nm to more than 280 Nm, significantly enhancing the car’s performance.
Overall, this engine can last around 220,000 to 370,000 km if properly maintained, using the correct quality oil and fuel, and carrying out regular checks and maintenance.
The engine has hydraulic valve tappets (lifters), which provide quieter operation and do not require periodic adjustment, but are more complex in design and can cause serious engine damage in the event of failure.
Engine displacement | 1499 cm3 |
---|---|
Number of cylinders | 3 |
Bore (cylinder diameter) | 82 mm |
Stroke length (piston move) | 94.6 mm |
Compression ratio | 11 : 1 |
Camshaft drive | Timing chain Chain motors are considered more reliable, chain replacement usually is required less often than a timing belt, but they are often louder and vibrate more. |
Fuel system | Injection |
BMW 218i oil type | no data |
Oil capacity | no data |
Coolant capacity | 7.7 litres (8.1 quarts) |
Power | 102 - 140 HP ON 4500 RPM |
Torque | 180 - 220 NM ON 1250 RPM |
Start of production (year) | 2013 |
Duration of production | 12 years |
Often in the first years of production, engines tend to have various constructive problems, so it is recommended to choose a car with this engine from 2016 onwards. |
|
Engine also used on | BMW 3 sērija BMW 1 sērija BMW X1 BMW 4 sērija and 2 other models |
Generally, the use of an engine in several models and its long production run is an indication of the quality of the engine and the success of its design. |
Most often compared to
All BMW 2 series coupe [2013 - 2017] modifications
Modification | Engine | Power | Consumption | Gearbox | Drive type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
BMW 218i
Jan 2015 — Dec 2017 Most fuel efficient petrol version by real consumption |
1.5 Petrol | 136 HP | - | Manual (6) | Rear wheel |
BMW 218i Jan 2015 — Dec 2017 | 1.5 Petrol | 136 HP | - | Automatic (8) | Rear wheel |
BMW 220i Jan 2013 — Jan 2017 | 2.0 Petrol | 184 HP | 6.3 l/100km | Manual (6) | Rear wheel |
BMW 220i
Jan 2013 — Jan 2017 Most fuel efficient petrol version |
2.0 Petrol | 184 HP | 6.0 l/100km | Automatic (8) | Rear wheel |
BMW 228i Jan 2014 — Dec 2016 | 2.0 Petrol | 245 HP | 6.6 l/100km | Manual (6) | Rear wheel |
BMW 228i Jan 2014 — Dec 2016 | 2.0 Petrol | 245 HP | 6.3 l/100km | Automatic (8) | Rear wheel |
BMW 230i Jan 2016 — Dec 2017 | 2.0 Petrol | 252 HP | - | Manual (6) | Rear wheel |
BMW 230i Jan 2016 — Dec 2017 | 2.0 Petrol | 252 HP | - | Automatic (8) | Rear wheel |
BMW 218d
Jan 2014 — Dec 2015 Most fuel efficient diesel version by real consumption |
2.0 Diesel | 143 HP | - | Manual (6) | Rear wheel |
BMW 218d Jan 2014 — Dec 2015 | 2.0 Diesel | 143 HP | - | Automatic (8) | Rear wheel |
BMW 218d Jan 2015 — Dec 2017 | 2.0 Diesel | 150 HP | - | Manual (6) | Rear wheel |
BMW 218d Jan 2015 — Dec 2017 | 2.0 Diesel | 150 HP | - | Automatic (8) | Rear wheel |
BMW 220d Jan 2013 — Jan 2017 | 2.0 Diesel | 184 HP | 4.8 l/100km | Manual (6) | Rear wheel |
BMW 220d
Jan 2013 — Jan 2017 Most fuel efficient diesel version |
2.0 Diesel | 184 HP | 4.4 l/100km | Automatic (8) | Rear wheel |
BMW 225d Jan 2014 — Dec 2015 | 2.0 Diesel | 218 HP | 4.7 l/100km | Automatic (8) | Rear wheel |
BMW 225d
Jan 2015 — Dec 2017 Most powerfull diesel version (224 HP) |
2.0 Diesel | 224 HP | - | Automatic (8) | Rear wheel |
BMW 235i Jan 2013 — Jan 2017 | 3.0 Petrol | 326 HP | 8.1 l/100km | Manual (6) | Rear wheel |
BMW 235i Jan 2013 — Jan 2017 | 3.0 Petrol | 326 HP | 7.6 l/100km | Automatic (8) | Rear wheel |
BMW M235i 4x4 Jan 2014 — Dec 2016 | 3.0 Petrol | 326 HP | 7.8 l/100km | Automatic (8) | All wheel |
BMW M240i Jan 2016 — Dec 2017 | 3.0 Petrol | 340 HP | 7.8 l/100km | Manual (6) | Rear wheel |
BMW M240i Jan 2016 — Dec 2017 | 3.0 Petrol | 340 HP | 7.1 l/100km | Automatic (8) | Rear wheel |
BMW M240i 4x4
Jan 2016 — Dec 2017 Most dynamic version - 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds |
3.0 Petrol | 340 HP | 7.4 l/100km | Automatic (8) | All wheel |