E46 · 2004–2006

BMW Série 3 318i E46 · 143 hp (2004 to 2006)

The BMW Série 3 318i of the E46 generation uses the N46B20 petrol engine with 143 hp. Oil, timing drive and known issues of this engine are covered in the “Engine” block on this page.

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Technical specifications

Fuel
Petrol
Power
143 PS / 105 kW
Displacement
1 995 cm³
Cylinders
4
Engine code
N46B20
Period covered
2004–2006
Documented market
Europe

Transmission

  • Manual · 5 speeds
  • Automatic · 5 speeds

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

Specification source : [1] AutoKarnet

This version

143 hp (105 kW), rear-wheel drive, 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. Built from 2004 to 2006.

AutoKarnet advice

In the range

It sits between the 316i (116 hp) and the 320i (170 hp). The N46B20 engine is also fitted to: BMW X1 (E84), BMW X3 (E83), BMW Z4 (E85/E86).

AutoKarnet advice

BMW N46 petrol engine (2.0 l four-cylinder)

This applies to every car fitted with the N46 engine.

What the N46 is

A naturally aspirated 1,995 cc four-cylinder petrol engine (84 × 90 mm). BMW’s workshop documentation lists it in the E87 1 Series 118i and 120i and in the E90/E91 3 Series among others; for the E87 118i, BMW gives the 100 kW N46B20U2 version. The direct-injection N43 and then the turbocharged N13 replaced it.

Source : [6] [4] [7]

Engine oil

Oil change with filter: 4.25 l according to TIS data for the N46. Longlife-04 is approved for petrol engines only in the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein; elsewhere, use the approval BMW specifies for the country. CBS calculates the oil service; from September 2008, BMW encodes a 30,000 km starting value for the N46TU (except in countries with a shortened provision): a forecast adjusted to use, not a guaranteed interval.

Source : [3] [2] [5]

Maintenance and records

Brake fluid

Every 24 months

24 months

Time-based replacement, whatever the mileage.

Source [1]

Questions about this version (2)

Which engine is in the BMW Série 3 318i E46?

The N46B20 petrol engine (1 995 cc), 143 hp (105 kW).

AutoKarnet advice

Which oil for the BMW Série 3 318i?

A BMW Longlife-approved oil suited to the N46B20 engine. The “Engine” block on this page and the vehicle’s handbook give the exact approval.

AutoKarnet advice

Documentary sources

  1. [1] Rédaction AutoKarnet

    AutoKarnet · FR · Europe · Synthèse éditoriale AutoKarnet · Accessed 09/10/2026

  2. [2] BMW TIS — BMW Quality Longlife-04

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · SI 11 03 04 (156) · revision 09/2005 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  3. [3] BMW TIS — Oil Supply N46

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · TD 11 40 · oil change including filter · Accessed 08/10/2026

  4. [4] BMW TIS — 1 Series E87, vehicle and engine index

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · Vehicle list (model / engine / body) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  5. [5] BMW TIS — Harmonisation of oil change intervals

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · ECE · SI 00 13 07 (391) · 10/2007 · launch 09/2008 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  6. [6] BMW Technical training — Product information: N13 Engine

    BMW AG — Technical training (online copy) · EN · Europe · §1.1 Models (F20 116i/118i, 09/2011) · §2.3 Camshaft drive · §3.4.2 Oil level monitoring · §3.5.2 Timing chain lubrication · Accessed 08/10/2026

  7. [7] BMW TIS — E90/E91 model and engine index

    BMW AG (TIS, archive) · EN · Europe · 3 Series E90 and E91: N46, N52, N53, N54, M47T2, M57T2 and N47 · Accessed 08/10/2026

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