E90 / E91 · 2005–2007

BMW 318i E90 / E91 · 129 PS · N46 B20 (2005–2007)

The 95 kW (129 PS) 318i uses the N46 B20. This page covers 2005–2007. This naturally aspirated four-cylinder predates the European N43 direct-injection versions. The badge alone is not enough when ordering parts.

Choose an engine

Identify the car and prepare its maintenance

Technical specifications

Fuel
Petrol
Power
129 PS / 95 kW
Displacement
1 995 cm³
Cylinders
4
Engine code
N46 B20
Period covered
2005–2007
Documented market
Europe

Transmission

  • Manual · 6 speeds
  • Automatic · 6 speeds

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

Specification source :

Identity and distinguishing features

The 95 kW (129 PS) 318i uses the N46 B20. This page covers 2005–2007. This naturally aspirated four-cylinder predates the European N43 direct-injection versions. The badge alone is not enough when ordering parts. Shared page for E90 Saloon and E91 Touring with matching engine and output. The Saloon ends in 2011, the Touring in 2012. This page combines their year ranges; launch months may differ.

Source : [9] [15] [11] [12] [8] [7] [10]

Engine oil

Documented oil-change quantity: 4.25 l. Check the level after filling; this is not a top-up quantity. BMW Longlife-04 is approved for petrol engines only in the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Elsewhere, confirm the market-specific approval.

Source : [5] [16]

CBS intervals and service scope

Oil service depends on fuel used, with a 24-month limit. Starting value: 25 000 km. The initial mileage is a forecast, not a guaranteed interval. Front and rear pads have separate wear-based counters. Brake fluid: 24 months. Vehicle check: 50 000 km or 48 months in the European CBS bulletin. Up to February 2007, the microfilter has its own CBS item (45,000 km starting value, 24 months) and spark plugs a 100,000 km item for these engines. The air filter is changed at every third oil service. From March 2007 production: oil and filter, cabin microfilter and handbrake check at each oil service; air filter and spark plugs at every third oil service. Shorten the air-filter interval in dusty conditions.

Source : [1] [3] [4] [17] [6]

Documented faults and recalls

The ADAC 3 Series recall list includes the positive battery cable connection (May 2019), a blower regulator that can overheat (February 2021) and Takata driver airbags (including May 2026). Campaign ranges span several models: have the VIN and completed work checked; the 318i badge alone does not establish eligibility.

Source : [13]

Prepare the service

Bring the VIN, build month, 95 kW rating and N46 B20 code. Record CBS deadlines and previous oil services; bring the key used on the last trip, which stores service data. Have the actual work entered in the service booklet and the oil specification recorded on the invoice.

Source : [14] [9] [11]

Maintenance and records

Engine oil

CBS · 24 months

24 months

Variable deadline calculated from use; change oil within 24 months at the latest. See the engine page for the applicable starting value.

Source [4]

Vehicle check

50000 km / 48 months

50 000 km

48 months

Vehicle check is separate from oil service; use whichever limit comes first, distance or time.

Source [4]

Brake fluid

24 months

24 months

Replace the fluid and reset only this CBS service after the work.

Source [4]

Questions about this version (5)

Which engine does this 129 PS 318i use?

The 95 kW (129 PS) 318i uses the N46 B20. This page covers 2005–2007.

Source : [9] [11]

How much oil for this 318i with the N46 B20?

Documented oil-change quantity: 4.25 l. Check the level after filling; this is not a top-up quantity. BMW Longlife-04 is approved for petrol engines only in the EU, Switzerland, Norway and Liechtenstein. Elsewhere, confirm the market-specific approval.

Source : [5] [16]

What should be replaced with the oil on this 318i?

Up to February 2007, the microfilter has its own CBS item (45,000 km starting value, 24 months) and spark plugs a 100,000 km item for these engines. The air filter is changed at every third oil service. From March 2007 production: oil and filter, cabin microfilter and handbrake check at each oil service; air filter and spark plugs at every third oil service. Shorten the air-filter interval in dusty conditions.

Source : [1] [3] [4] [17] [6]

What technical detail distinguishes this 318i N46 B20?

This naturally aspirated four-cylinder predates the European N43 direct-injection versions. The badge alone is not enough when ordering parts.

Source : [9] [15] [11] [12] [8] [7] [10]

Does this 318i page also cover the Touring?

Shared page for E90 Saloon and E91 Touring with matching engine and output. The Saloon ends in 2011, the Touring in 2012. This page combines their year ranges; launch months may differ.

Source : [9] [15] [11] [12] [8] [7] [10]

Documentary sources

  1. [1] BMW AG TIS — CBS E87, bulletin 00 01 04 (070)

    BMW AG (TIS, copie archivée) · EN · Worldwide · Archive · p. 1 · update 11/2006 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  2. [2] BMW AG TIS — calcul huile, microfiltre et freins

    BMW AG (TIS, copie archivée) · EN · Worldwide · Archive · p. 3 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  3. [3] BMW AG TIS — CBS, valeurs de départ EURO

    BMW AG (TIS, copie archivée) · EN · Europe · Archive · p. 4 · starting values, not fixed mileage intervals · Accessed 08/10/2026

  4. [4] BMW TIS — CBS: spark plugs, vehicle check, brake fluid

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · SBT CBS · p. 5 · EURO · update 11/2006 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  5. [5] BMW TIS — BMW Quality Longlife-04

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

  6. [6] BMW TIS — Oil service, petrol from 03/2007

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · RA 00 00 610 · from 03/2007 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  7. [7] BMW — 3 Series launch technical specifications, 2005

    BMW AG · EN · Europe · Section 10: 320i, 325i, 330i, 320d; engine oil and engine data · Accessed 08/10/2026

  8. [8] BMW — The new BMW 3 Series, July 2008

    BMW AG · EN · Europe · BMW AG European press kit; pp. 53–72: Saloon and Touring; oil change quantities · Accessed 08/10/2026

  9. [9] BMW Group Annual Report 2006 — consumption and emissions

    BMW AG · EN · Europe · Consumption and emissions: 3 Series Sedan and Touring; displacement, kW, M6/A6 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  10. [10] BMW — Model Range in Spring 2010

    BMW AG · EN · Europe · pp. 2–3: 316d Touring; 335i VALVETRONIC; 325d and 320d upgrades · Accessed 08/10/2026

  11. [11] MANN-FILTER — Passenger car catalogue 2020/21

    MANN+HUMMEL · DE · Europe · Printed pp. 35–37: E90/E91 engine codes. Applicability dates may group E92/E93 and export markets. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  12. [12] ADAC — BMW 3er-Reihe (2005–2013) Diesel, Gebrauchtwageninfo

    ADAC · DE · Europe · Modellgeschichte: launch, autumn 2007, LCI 09/2008, 2010 updates, E90 11/2011 and E91 09/2012 end · Accessed 08/10/2026

  13. [13] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 3er-Reihe, Rückrufe & Mängel

    ADAC · DE · Europe · Shared series recall table on 335i Coupé page: affected E90/E91 explicitly listed; verify VIN and engine applicability · Accessed 08/10/2026

  14. [14] BMW — Betriebsanleitung E90, 03/2005

    BMW AG (manuel archivé) · DE · Europe · Printed pp. 180–182 and 185 (viewer 181–183, 186): oil level, approvals, CBS, key and service booklet · Accessed 08/10/2026

  15. [15] 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

  16. [16] BMW TIS — Oil Supply N46

    BMW AG (TIS, archive) · EN · Europe · TD 11: oil change with filter · Accessed 08/10/2026

  17. [17] BMW TIS — Engine oil service up to 02/2007

    BMW AG (TIS, archive) · EN · Europe · RA 00 00 610; service scope before 03/2007 · Accessed 08/10/2026

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