F40 · 2019–2020
Built from 2019 to 2020, the 118i uses the 103 kW B38 three-cylinder petrol engine. Identify it by the kW figure on the registration document; an oil change takes 4.25 l, and the car itself calculates its service dates.
Figures apply to the cited configuration and market; equipment and transmissions may vary by production date.
Specification source : [1] BMW Group [2] BMW Group
1,499 cc three-cylinder petrol turbo, B38 family (ADAC engine code B38A15A, “B38A15M1” in BMW UK’s technical data): 103 kW (140 PS) and 220 Nm. Gearbox: six-speed manual or seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch. BMW quotes 8.5 s for 0–100 km/h and a top speed of 213 km/h. Combined consumption on BMW’s 05/2019 sheet: 5.7–5.0 l/100 km (WLTP measurements converted back to NEDC values). The launch petrol, built from September 2019 to September 2020 according to ADAC. BMW quotes 3 kW more than the previous 118i, and an overboost briefly adds 10 Nm in fourth gear and above. A gasoline particulate filter lets it meet Euro 6d-TEMP.
Oil change: 4.25 l according to BMW’s 05/2019 specification sheet (“oil change”). BMW UK’s technical data gives the same “exchange quantity”. The 100 kW 118i built from November 2020 is listed at 4.5 l: check the kW figure before buying oil. For top-ups, the handbook allows up to 1 litre of BMW Longlife-12 FE or Longlife-17 FE+, SAE 0W-20 or 0W-30 (ACEA C2 or C5 if unavailable), with no additives. The level is measured electronically: it is monitored while driving, and a detailed measurement can be started with the car stationary, level and warm, under CAR › Vehicle status › Engine oil level. Only add oil when the car asks for it, by the quantity it displays.
The car calculates each due date from how it is used (Condition Based Service) and briefly shows the next date or remaining distance when switched on; details are under CAR › Vehicle status › Service required. BMW’s regular maintenance covers engine oil, brake fluid, a vehicle check, the air filter, the cabin microfilter and the spark plugs. Brake fluid is counted in time and periods with the battery disconnected are not counted: have the workshop update the time-based items. Neither the handbook nor BMW’s list sets a mileage or period for these items: the dates are the ones your car displays.
Chain-driven: for the 118i’s 1.5-litre three-cylinder, BMW’s 2019 press kit describes a one-piece chain drive for the valve gear; an L-shaped belt drives only the ancillaries (alternator, water pump, vibration damper, air-conditioning compressor). The timing drive appears neither in the handbook nor in BMW’s regular maintenance list: no scheduled replacement.
Source : [1]
Check the power on the registration document (103 kW) and the first-registration date — 103 kW identifies this 2019–2020 version. Note the items and dates shown under “Service required”. Give the service advisor the key the car was last driven with: the car stores its service data in it. Ask for 4.25 l of a BMW-approved oil, then check that the work is entered in the electronic service history, which a later owner can view.
Source : [7]
Due date calculated by CBS
Oil change at the date the car displays; do not run past it. Top-up: up to 1 litre of BMW Longlife-12 FE or Longlife-17 FE+ oil, SAE 0W-20 or 0W-30 (ACEA C2 or C5 if unavailable). No additives.
Source [7]As the service requirement dictates
BMW lists as regular maintenance: brake fluid, a vehicle check to BMW specifications, air filter, cabin microfilter and spark plugs. Each item is triggered by the service requirement the car calculates.
Source [8]Calendar-based (CBS)
Counted in time, not kilometres. Periods with the battery disconnected are not counted: have the workshop update the time-based items (brake fluid, and where applicable oil and microfilter). The handbook does not state the period.
Source [7]Regular check, engine cold
Level between the Min and Max marks in the filler neck, engine cold. BMW recommends coolant to BMW LC-18, mixed 50:50 with water; do not mix additives of different colours. Up to two expansion tanks depending on the engine.
Source [7]By the power on the registration document: 103 kW (140 PS) for this version, 100 kW (136 PS) for the 118i built from November 2020. ADAC also lists different engine codes, B38A15A and B38A15F. The oil quantity differs too: 4.25 l against 4.5 l.
According to BMW’s 2019 press kit, a function that briefly makes 10 Nm more available than the 220 Nm peak torque, in fourth gear or higher.
Source : [1]
BMW’s handbook specifies Super RON 95; the minimum is unleaded RON 91, and petrol with up to 25 % ethanol (E10, E25) is allowed. The engine is knock-controlled, but the published performance and consumption assume the recommended grade.
Source : [7]
A chain, one-piece according to BMW’s 2019 press kit; the belt only drives the ancillaries. No chain replacement is scheduled.
Source : [1]
BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · PDF p. 2 (launch dates), pp. 13–14 (xDrive, limited-slip differential), pp. 16–20 (engines, transmissions) · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · pp. 1–10; footnote 1) “oil change”; consumption: WLTP values translated back to NEDC (provisional) · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW (UK) Ltd. · EN · United Kingdom · Basic data summary (engine description B38A15M1 / B48A20T1); Motor: “Engine oil (exchange quantity)” · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW (UK) Ltd. · EN · United Kingdom · pp. 1–2: dimensions compared with the predecessor, front-wheel-drive architecture, luggage capacity · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW Group · EN · Europe (German base data) · pp. 1–18; footnote 1) oil change volume; consumption in NEDC and WLTP · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW Group · EN · Germany · Press release: fourth generation in production, third-generation deliveries to end of June 2024 · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW AG (online copy: Kfz-Handbuch.de) · DE · Germany · p. 182 (Servicebedarf), pp. 349–357 (Kraftstoff, AdBlue, Motoröl, Kühlmittel), pp. 360–361 (Condition Based Service, Service Historie) · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW AG · DE · Germany · Section “Die Leistungen von BMW Service Inclusive” · Accessed 08/10/2026
ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Modellstart/-ende, Baureihenende · Accessed 08/10/2026
ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Modellstart/-ende, Baureihenende · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW Group · EN · Europe · Press kit summary: 48-volt mild hybrid technology introduced with the fourth generation · Accessed 08/10/2026