F45/F46 · 2020–2022
Built from 2020 to 2022, 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 4.5 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 : [5] BMW Group (English sheet on PressClub Italy)
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 [5]
1,499 cc three-cylinder petrol turbo, B38 family (ADAC engine code B38A15F): 100 kW (136 PS) and 220 Nm. Gearbox: six-speed manual or seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch. BMW quotes 9.3 s for 0–100 km/h and combined consumption of 5.6 l/100 km (5.2 with the automatic; NEDC values derived from WLTP, BMW sheet Active Tourer 03/2021); WLTP: 6.3–6.0 l/100 km. Bodies: Active Tourer (11/2020–09/2021) and Gran Tourer (11/2020–07/2022), production dates from ADAC. From 11/2020 the 218i carries the B38A15F engine code (ADAC) and 100 kW; torque stays at 220 Nm.
Oil change: 4.5 l according to BMW’s specification sheets (Active Tourer 03/2021, “oil change”). For top-ups, the VI/19 Active Tourer handbook allows BMW Longlife-04, Longlife-12 FE or Longlife-17 FE+, SAE 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30, 5W-30, 0W-40 or 5W-40, or up to 1 litre of ACEA C2 or C3 if none is available; no additives. The level is measured electronically; BMW asks for a detailed measurement after every refuelling (car level, engine warm and running), under My Vehicle › Vehicle status › Engine oil level. Add oil only 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 distance or time to the next service when the ignition is switched on; details are under My Vehicle › 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. The car can also send these due dates to the service partner (Teleservice Call).
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.
ADAC lists for this version: July 2026: wear deposits in the starter relay that can cause a short circuit and a fire risk at the starter, cars built 07/2020–02/2026 (starter replaced). Not every car is affected: have a BMW workshop check your VIN.
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 4.5 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 : [6]
Due date calculated by CBS
Oil change at the date the car displays; do not run past it. Top-up: BMW Longlife-04, Longlife-12 FE or Longlife-17 FE+, SAE 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30, 5W-30, 0W-40 or 5W-40; if unavailable, up to 1 litre of ACEA C2 or C3. No additives.
Source [6]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]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 [6]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 [6]By the kW on the registration document (100 kW against 103 kW) and the build date: ADAC lists the 100 kW version from 11/2020 to 07/2022 and the 103 kW version from 03/2018 to 09/2020. The ADAC engine code changes: B38A15F against B38A15A. Oil change: 4.5 l against 4.25 l on BMW’s sheets.
Yes. ADAC lists the 218i as an Active Tourer from 11/2020 to 09/2021 and as a Gran Tourer from 11/2020 to 07/2022. Engine and servicing are the same; the Gran Tourer is 4,568 mm long (2,780 mm wheelbase) and can have seven seats.
Super unleaded RON 95 recommended (DIN EN 228), 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 : [6]
No. The level is monitored while driving (a value is available after about 30 minutes) and BMW asks for a detailed measurement after every refuelling: car level, engine warm and running, My Vehicle › Vehicle status › Engine oil level › Measure. Idle speed rises slightly during the measurement. Add oil only when the car displays the message.
Source : [6]
BMW AG · DE · Germany · Section “Die Leistungen von BMW Service Inclusive” · Accessed 08/10/2026
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
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
BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · pp. 1–10; footnote 1) “oil change”; consumption: WLTP values translated back to NEDC · Accessed 08/10/2026
BMW Group (English sheet on PressClub Italy) · EN · Europe (German base data) · pp. 1–20 (225xe pp. 9–10); footnote 1) “oil change volume”; consumption in NEDC and WLTP · Accessed 08/10/2026
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
ADAC · DE · Germany · Model list with production periods per version · Accessed 08/10/2026
ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Getriebe, Modellstart/-ende, Baureihenende, Schadstoffklasse; Rückrufe & Mängel · Accessed 08/10/2026
ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Getriebe, Modellstart/-ende, Baureihenende, Schadstoffklasse; Rückrufe & Mängel · Accessed 08/10/2026
ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Getriebe, Modellstart/-ende, Baureihenende, Schadstoffklasse; Rückrufe & Mängel · Accessed 08/10/2026
ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Getriebe, Modellstart/-ende, Baureihenende, Schadstoffklasse; Rückrufe & Mängel · Accessed 08/10/2026
ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Getriebe, Modellstart/-ende, Baureihenende, Schadstoffklasse; Rückrufe & Mängel · Accessed 08/10/2026