F45/F46 · 2014–2018

BMW 218i F45/F46 · 136 PS (2014–2018)

Built from 2014 to 2018, the 218i uses the 100 kW B38 three-cylinder petrol engine, in both the Active Tourer and the Gran Tourer. 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.

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Technical specifications

Fuel
Petrol
Power
136 PS / 100 kW
Displacement
1 499 cm³
Torque
220 Nm
Cylinders
3
Engine code
B38 (B38A15A)
Period covered
2014–2018
Documented market
Europe

Transmission

  • Manual · 6 speeds · 2014
  • Automatic · 6 speeds · 2014

Figures apply to the cited configuration and market; equipment and transmissions may vary by production date.

Specification source : [3] BMW Group [5] BMW Group (English sheet on PressClub Czech Republic)

Manufacturer figures — manual gearbox

0–100 km/h acceleration
9.2 s
Combined consumption — period European cycle
5.2 l/100 km

Figures published at launch for the cited manual configuration. Consumption is a test-cycle measurement, not a real-world guarantee; automatic versions may differ. Source [3]

What distinguishes this version

1,499 cc three-cylinder petrol turbo, B38 family (ADAC engine code B38A15A): 100 kW (136 PS) and 220 Nm. Gearbox: six-speed manual or six-speed Steptronic automatic. BMW quotes 9.2 s for 0–100 km/h and combined consumption of 5.2–4.9 l/100 km (5.3–5.1 with the automatic; NEDC, BMW sheet Active Tourer 07/2014). Bodies: Active Tourer (09/2014–02/2018) and Gran Tourer (06/2015–02/2018), production dates from ADAC. The three-cylinder launch engine; BMW’s press kit cites up to 230 Nm for short periods with overboost.

Source : [3] [5] [14] [15] [16]

Engine oil: quantity and approvals

Oil change: 4.25 l according to BMW’s specification sheets (Active Tourer 07/2014, Gran Tourer 02/2015, “oil change”). For top-ups, the Active Tourer (II/17) and Gran Tourer (VI/16) handbooks allow BMW Longlife-01, Longlife-01 FE, Longlife-04, Longlife-12 FE or Longlife-14 FE+, SAE 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 or 5W-30 (0W-20 and 5W-20 only for certain engines), or up to 1 litre of ACEA A3/B4 if none is available; no additives. There is no dipstick: the level is monitored while driving, and a detailed measurement (about one minute, car level, engine warm and running) is started under Vehicle info › Vehicle status › Measure engine oil level. Add oil only when the car asks for it, by the quantity it displays, within 200 km.

Source : [3] [5] [9] [10]

What the service display tracks

The car calculates each due date from how it is used (Condition Based Service) and briefly shows the distance or time to the next service when the ignition is switched on; details are under Vehicle info › 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 (and where applicable oil and microfilter) is counted in time and periods with the battery disconnected are not counted: have the workshop update these items. Neither the handbook nor BMW’s list sets a mileage or period: the dates are the ones your car displays.

Source : [9] [10] [1]

Timing drive

Chain (ADAC: “Steuerkette”). BMW’s training document for the Bx8 engines, which covers their transverse installation, describes a two-part chain drive on the transmission side of the engine, where the gearbox’s inertia reduces the loads; the oil-vacuum pump has its own chain and the tensioner is hydraulic with spring preload. No scheduled replacement in the documents consulted: the chain is a repair item, not maintenance.

Source : [14] [2]

Recalls to check

ADAC lists for this version: January 2015: passenger seat-belt retractor that may lock or run stiffly, mainly in cold weather (cars built 09–11/2014; belt system replaced); January 2017: passenger, head, knee and side airbags that may not fire in the first stage (cars built 07–12/2016; airbags replaced). Not every car is affected: have a BMW workshop check your VIN.

Source : [14] [15] [16]

Prepare the next service

Check the power on the registration document (100 kW) and the first-registration date. 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 an oil with a BMW Longlife approval listed in the handbook, then check that the work is entered in the electronic service history, which a later owner can view.

Source : [9] [10]

Maintenance and records

Engine oil — petrol (pre-facelift)

Due date calculated by CBS

Oil change at the date the car displays; do not run past it. Top-up: BMW Longlife-01, Longlife-01 FE, Longlife-04, Longlife-12 FE or Longlife-14 FE+, SAE 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 or 5W-30 (0W-20 and 5W-20 only for certain engines); if unavailable, up to 1 litre of ACEA A3/B4. No additives.

Source [9]

Other maintenance items — petrol

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 [1]

Brake fluid

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/activated-charcoal filter). The handbook does not state the period.

Source [9]

Coolant

Regular check, engine cold

Level correct between the yellow Min and Max marks in the filler neck, engine cold; first open the cap slightly to release the pressure. Top up slowly without overfilling, then have the cause of the loss found. Not every additive is suitable: ask the workshop.

Source [9]

Questions about this version (5)

How does it differ from the 216i?

Same B38 engine and the same ADAC code (B38A15A), but 100 kW and 220 Nm instead of 75 kW and 180 Nm. Gearboxes: six-speed manual or six-speed Steptronic automatic for the 218i; six-speed manual for the 216i. Both take 4.25 l of oil at an oil change on BMW’s sheets.

Source : [3] [5] [6] [14] [13]

Did the 218i change output before the facelift?

For the Gran Tourer with manual gearbox, ADAC lists 103 kW (140 PS) and Euro 6c from 07/2017, with the same B38A15A code, against 100 kW (136 PS) and Euro 6b before. The Active Tourer 218i and the automatics stay at 100 kW until 02/2018 in its data. Go by the kW on the registration document.

Source : [16] [15] [14]

What changed with the 2018 facelift?

Before March 2018: 100 kW and 220 Nm (B38A15A), six-speed manual or six-speed Steptronic automatic, 4.25 l of oil. After: 103 kW and 220 Nm (B38A15A), six-speed manual or seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch, 4.25 l of oil. ADAC lists a petrol particulate filter on facelifted cars approved to Euro 6d-TEMP or later (not on the Euro 6c 220i and 225i xDrive of 03–06/2018); for top-ups, the VI/19 handbook adds Longlife-17 FE+ and no longer lists Longlife-01.

Source : [3] [8] [14] [17] [7] [9] [11] [18] [19]

Which fuel?

Super unleaded RON 95 recommended, RON 91 minimum; E10 and E25 are allowed (up to 25 % ethanol). Never leaded petrol, metallic additives or methanol fuels (M5 to M100). After misfuelling, do not press the Start/Stop button.

Source : [9] [10]

Is it available as a Gran Tourer?

Yes. ADAC lists the 218i as an Active Tourer from 09/2014 to 02/2018 and as a Gran Tourer from 06/2015 to 02/2018. Engine and servicing are the same; the Gran Tourer is 4,556 mm long (2,780 mm wheelbase) and can have seven seats.

Source : [14] [15] [16] [12] [4]

Documentary sources

  1. [1] BMW Service Inclusive — Die Leistungen (bmw.de, archived 15/04/2026)

    BMW AG · DE · Germany · Section “Die Leistungen von BMW Service Inclusive” · Accessed 08/10/2026

  2. [2] BMW Technical training — B46 Engine (with the B38 three-cylinder)

    BMW of North America — Technical training (archive.org copy) · EN · USA · Information status June 2014 · §1 (B38/B46, “Bx8”) · §2.2.7 Chain drive, Bx8 engines (pp. 57–58) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  3. [3] BMW Media information 07/2014 — The new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (press kit)

    BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · p. 3 (engines), p. 5 (German launch on 27 September 2014), p. 16 (further variants and xDrive), pp. 32–33 (specifications 218i, 225i, 218d; footnote 1) “oil change”) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  4. [4] BMW Media information 02/2015 — The new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer (press kit)

    BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · p. 2 (seven seats, luggage space), p. 4 (wheelbase 2,780 mm), p. 14 (216d from 7/2015), p. 16 (216i and 220d from summer 2015) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  5. [5] BMW Media information 02/2015 — Specifications BMW 218i, 220i Gran Tourer

    BMW Group (English sheet on PressClub Czech Republic) · EN · Europe (ACEA) · pp. 1–2; footnote 1) “oil change”; consumption in the ECE (NEDC) cycle · Accessed 08/10/2026

  6. [6] BMW Media information 07/2015 — Specifications BMW 216i Gran Tourer

    BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · pp. 1–2; footnote 1) “oil change”; consumption in the ECE (NEDC) cycle · Accessed 08/10/2026

  7. [7] BMW Media Information 01/2018 — The new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer / Gran Tourer (press kit)

    BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · p. 2 (market launch March 2018, dimensions, plants), p. 3 (exterior changes), pp. 6–9 (engines, transmissions), pp. 10–11 (225xe iPerformance) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  8. [8] BMW Media Information 01/2018 — Specifications, the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

    BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · pp. 1–10; footnote 1) “oil change”; consumption: WLTP values translated back to NEDC · Accessed 08/10/2026

  9. [9] BMW 2er Active Tourer (F45) Betriebsanleitung, Sach-Nr. 01402978274 – II/17 (online copy)

    BMW AG (online copy: Kfz-Handbuch.de) · DE · Germany · p. 96 (Servicebedarf), pp. 214–215 (Kraftstoffqualität), pp. 231–234 (Motoröl), pp. 235–236 (Kühlmittel), pp. 237–238 (Condition Based Service, Service Historie) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  10. [10] BMW 2er Gran Tourer (F46) Betriebsanleitung, Sach-Nr. 01 40 2 973 971 – VI/16 (online copy)

    BMW AG (online copy: Kfz-Handbuch.de) · DE · Germany · p. 97 (Servicebedarf), pp. 212–213 (Kraftstoffqualität), pp. 228–231 (Motoröl), p. 232 (Kühlmittel), p. 234 (Wartung) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  11. [11] BMW 2er Active Tourer (F45) Betriebsanleitung, Sach-Nr. 01402666468 – VI/19 (online copy)

    BMW AG (online copy: Kfz-Handbuch.de) · DE · Germany · pp. 140–141 (Servicebedarf), pp. 270–273 (Kraftstoff, AdBlue), pp. 295–298 (Motoröl), pp. 299–300 (Kühlmittel), pp. 301–302 (Condition Based Service, Service Historie) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  12. [12] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 2er-Reihe Active/Gran Tourer F45/F46 (09/14 – 02/18)

    ADAC · DE · Germany · Model list with production periods per version · Accessed 08/10/2026

  13. [13] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 216i Active Tourer (11/15 – 02/18)

    ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Getriebe, Modellstart/-ende, Baureihenende, Schadstoffklasse; Rückrufe & Mängel · Accessed 08/10/2026

  14. [14] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 218i Active Tourer (09/14 – 02/18)

    ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Getriebe, Modellstart/-ende, Baureihenende, Schadstoffklasse; Rückrufe & Mängel · Accessed 08/10/2026

  15. [15] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 218i Gran Tourer (06/15 – 06/17)

    ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Getriebe, Modellstart/-ende, Baureihenende, Schadstoffklasse; Rückrufe & Mängel · Accessed 08/10/2026

  16. [16] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 218i Gran Tourer (07/17 – 02/18)

    ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Getriebe, Modellstart/-ende, Baureihenende, Schadstoffklasse; Rückrufe & Mängel · Accessed 08/10/2026

  17. [17] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 218i Active Tourer (03/18 – 06/19)

    ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Getriebe, Modellstart/-ende, Baureihenende, Schadstoffklasse; Rückrufe & Mängel · Accessed 08/10/2026

  18. [18] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 220i Active Tourer Steptronic (DKG) (03/18 – 06/18)

    ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Getriebe, Modellstart/-ende, Baureihenende, Schadstoffklasse; Rückrufe & Mängel · Accessed 08/10/2026

  19. [19] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 225i Active Tourer xDrive Steptronic (03/18 – 06/18)

    ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Getriebe, Modellstart/-ende, Baureihenende, Schadstoffklasse; Rückrufe & Mängel · Accessed 08/10/2026

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