BMW 218i (F44)
BMW 2 series 2019 1.5 petrol description
Sedan BMW 218i is being produced from January, 2019. 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 1500 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. Average engine life expectancy (mileage before serious repairs are needed) is from 220 000 to 370 000 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 front wheel drive (FWD) and manual gearbox with 6 gears.
BMW 218i accelerates to speed 100 kilometres per hour in 9.2 seconds. The maximum speed of this car is 215 km/h.
The fuel consumption of this version of BMW 218i reported by owners in daily driving mode is 7.2 litres per 100km.
BMW 2 series safety
During safety testing BMW 2 series has obtained 5 stars from five, which means very high safety level.
Adults (driver and passenger) safety of BMW 2 series is evaluated with outstanding rate 94 from 100, children safety: very good mark - 87 from 100, for pedestrian protection BMW 2 series got 76 points from 100.
BMW 2 series safety equipment has been rated as good - 72 percents from 100.
BMW 218i technical data
| Model: | BMW 218i | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Body style: | Sedan | ||
| Production period: | 2019. January | ||
| Engine: | 1499 cm3 Petrol, 3 cylinders | CO2 emissions: | no data |
| Power: | 136 HP ON 4500 RPM | Torque: | 220 NM ON 1500 RPM |
| Gearbox: | Manual gearbox (6 gears) | Drive type: | Front wheel drive (FWD) |
| Maximum speed: | 215 km/h | Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 9.2 seconds |
| Fuel consumption: | 7.2 l/100km (32.7 MPG) by user reviews from various sources | ||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 42 litres (11.1 gallons) | ||
| Car dimensions: | 4.53m (length) 1.80m (width) 1.42m (height) | ||
| Turning diameter: | 11.4 meters | ||
| Ground clearance: | 152 mm (approximate, with standard suspension, unladen vehicle) | ||
| Trunk capacity: | 430 litres | ||
| Gross weight: | 1885 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 |
| Power | 102 - 140 HP ON 4500 RPM |
| Torque | 180 - 220 NM ON 1500 RPM |
| Start of production (year) | 2013 |
| Duration of production | 12 years |
| 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 sedan [2019 modifications
| Modification | Engine | Power | Consumption | Gearbox | Drive type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW 218i | 1.5 Petrol | 136 HP | - | Manual (6) | Front wheel |
| BMW 218i Jan 2019 — Dec 2020 | 1.5 Petrol | 140 HP | - | Manual (6) | Front wheel |
|
BMW 218i
Jan 2019 — Dec 2020 Most fuel efficient petrol version |
1.5 Petrol | 140 HP | 5.4 l/100km | Automatic (7) | Front wheel |
| BMW 216d | 1.5 Diesel | 116 HP | - | Automatic (7) | Front wheel |
| BMW 220i | 2.0 Petrol | 178 HP | - | Automatic (7) | Front wheel |
| BMW 220i 4x4 | 2.0 Petrol | 178 HP | - | Automatic (7) | All wheel |
| BMW 228i 4x4 | 2.0 Petrol | 228 HP | - | Automatic (8) | All wheel |
|
BMW M235i xDrive 4x4
Most dynamic version - 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds |
2.0 Petrol | 306 HP | 7.1 l/100km | Automatic (8) | All wheel |
| BMW 218d | 2.0 Diesel | 150 HP | - | Manual (6) | Front wheel |
|
BMW 218d
Most fuel efficient diesel version by real consumption |
2.0 Diesel | 150 HP | - | Automatic (8) | Front wheel |
|
BMW 220d
Most powerfull diesel version (190 HP) |
2.0 Diesel | 190 HP | 4.5 l/100km | Automatic (8) | Front wheel |
|
BMW 220d 4x4
Most powerfull diesel version (190 HP) |
2.0 Diesel | 190 HP | - | Automatic (8) | All wheel |