F30 / F31 · 2015–2019

BMW 318i F30 / F31 · 136 PS · B38B15A (2015–2019)

The 318i produces 100 kW (136 PS) with the 1499 cc B38B15A engine. This page covers 2015–2019. The LCI 318i is the 1,499 cc turbo petrol B38 three-cylinder with 220 Nm. It replaces the equally powerful four-cylinder N13 316i: 136 PS alone cannot identify parts.

Choose an engine

Identify the car and prepare its maintenance

Technical specifications

Fuel
Petrol
Power
136 PS / 100 kW
Displacement
1 499 cm³
Torque
220 Nm
Engine code
B38B15A
Period covered
2015–2019
Documented market
Europe

Transmission

  • Manual · 6 speeds
  • Automatic · 8 speeds

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

Specification source :

Identity and distinguishing features

The 318i produces 100 kW (136 PS) with the 1499 cc B38B15A engine. This page covers 2015–2019. Shared page for the F30 Saloon and F31 Touring with matching engine and output. Dates combine both bodies; availability can vary by country and gearbox. The LCI 318i is the 1,499 cc turbo petrol B38 three-cylinder with 220 Nm. It replaces the equally powerful four-cylinder N13 316i: 136 PS alone cannot identify parts.

Source : [13] [16] [1] [10] [11] [12] [14] [17]

Engine oil

BMW’s published oil-change quantity is 4.25 l. This is a service quantity, not an amount to pour in as a top-up: check the level after filling. For petrol top-ups the F31 handbook lists BMW Longlife-01, Longlife-01 FE or Longlife-04 and SAE 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 or 5W-30. Match the approval to the engine and market; viscosity alone is insufficient. No additives. The II/2016 handbook adds FE approvals: Longlife-12 FE, and Longlife-14 FE+ for certain petrol engines only. It also restricts diesel Longlife-12 FE and 0W-20/5W-20 grades to certain engines. These oils are not universally interchangeable: confirm the VIN-specific approval before an oil change.

Source : [13] [2] [6] [7]

Maintenance and CBS deadlines

CBS calculates deadlines from use; read distance and date under Vehicle information → Vehicle status → Service requirements. Oil, front and rear pads, brake fluid and vehicle check are separate items. This handbook does not set a universal oil mileage or a numeric brake-fluid interval here. The F31 handbook’s service table specifies oil, oil filter and air-conditioning microfilter at every oil service; spark plugs and air filter at every second oil service. Change the air filter sooner in dusty conditions. That table describes the early F31 handbook. For this later or hybrid version, verify the linked-service counter by VIN: the II/2016 handbook confirms CBS but does not reproduce the table or independently establish identical plug and filter frequencies for every version.

Source : [3] [4] [9] [8]

Timing drive

Chain-driven timing. The consulted BMW maintenance table contains no periodic chain replacement: do not assign this engine a belt interval. Noise or a timing fault calls for diagnosis, not simply a CBS reset.

Source : [16] [3] [4]

Documented faults and recalls

ADAC’s 3 Series list includes starter-relay corrosion with a fire risk (August 2026) and the driver-airbag inflator (September 2024). These campaigns span multiple models and periods: only a VIN check and completed-work history establish applicability.

Source : [15]

Prepare the service

Bring the VIN, build month, B38B15A code and 100 kW rating. Record CBS dates and counters, previous oil services and filter changes; bring the key used for the last journey. Have the oil and work itemised on the invoice and the service recorded. Report storage with the battery disconnected so time-based deadlines can be corrected.

Source : [3] [8] [13]

Maintenance and records

Oil and oil filter

At the CBS deadline

Replace oil and filter. The engine page gives quantity and approvals; check the final level.

Source [3]

Filters and plugs linked to the service

Verify the counter and VIN-specific service plan

Plan the microfilter and air filter, plus petrol spark plugs or diesel fuel filter. Every-second-oil-service frequency is documented in the early handbook; confirmation is needed for this later or hybrid version.

Source [4]

Front and rear brakes

Separate wear-based CBS items

Replace pads when due, check disc thickness and condition, and inspect the rear parking brake.

Source [4]

Brake fluid

At the date shown by CBS

Renew the fluid and check parking-brake function. The consulted handbook gives no universal numeric interval.

Source [4]

Vehicle check

At the CBS vehicle-check deadline

Check lights, belts, tyres, fluid levels, brake lines, underbody and steering; perform the specified functional road test.

Source [4]

Questions about this version (5)

Which engine powers this 136 PS 318i?

The 318i produces 100 kW (136 PS) with the 1499 cc B38B15A engine. This page covers 2015–2019. Shared page for the F30 Saloon and F31 Touring with matching engine and output. Dates combine both bodies; availability can vary by country and gearbox.

Source : [13] [16] [1] [10] [11] [12] [14] [17]

How much oil does this B38B15A 318i take?

BMW’s published oil-change quantity is 4.25 l. This is a service quantity, not an amount to pour in as a top-up: check the level after filling. For petrol top-ups the F31 handbook lists BMW Longlife-01, Longlife-01 FE or Longlife-04 and SAE 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 or 5W-30. Match the approval to the engine and market; viscosity alone is insufficient. No additives. The II/2016 handbook adds FE approvals: Longlife-12 FE, and Longlife-14 FE+ for certain petrol engines only. It also restricts diesel Longlife-12 FE and 0W-20/5W-20 grades to certain engines. These oils are not universally interchangeable: confirm the VIN-specific approval before an oil change.

Source : [13] [2] [6] [7]

Which filters or plugs should I plan for this 318i?

The F31 handbook’s service table specifies oil, oil filter and air-conditioning microfilter at every oil service; spark plugs and air filter at every second oil service. Change the air filter sooner in dusty conditions. That table describes the early F31 handbook. For this later or hybrid version, verify the linked-service counter by VIN: the II/2016 handbook confirms CBS but does not reproduce the table or independently establish identical plug and filter frequencies for every version.

Source : [3] [4] [9] [8]

What distinguishes this 136 PS 318i?

The LCI 318i is the 1,499 cc turbo petrol B38 three-cylinder with 220 Nm. It replaces the equally powerful four-cylinder N13 316i: 136 PS alone cannot identify parts.

Source : [13] [16] [1] [10] [11] [12] [14]

Does this B38B15A 318i have a timing belt to replace?

Chain-driven timing. The consulted BMW maintenance table contains no periodic chain replacement: do not assign this engine a belt interval. Noise or a timing fault calls for diagnosis, not simply a CBS reset.

Source : [16] [3] [4]

Documentary sources

  1. [1] MANN-FILTER — catalogue voitures 2020/21

    MANN-FILTER · DE · Europe / marchés ACEA · Pages imprimées 36–37 : BMW 328i F30/F31 et 3 (F30/F31/F80), codes moteur et puissances. Dates de filtrage non assimilées à des dates commerciales. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  2. [2] BMW F31 — notice, huile moteur

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Pages 201–202 : Ölsorten zum Nachfüllen, normes et viscosités. Appoint, pas un tableau de toutes les huiles pour chaque VIN. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  3. [3] BMW F31 — notice, entretien et huile

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Page 204 : CBS, clé, immobilisation, historique ; huile, filtre, microfiltre ; bougies toutes les deux vidanges. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  4. [4] BMW F31 — notice, filtres et freins

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Pages 205–206 : filtre gazole et air toutes les deux vidanges ; freins, liquide de frein et contrôle véhicule. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  5. [5] BMW F31 — notice, contrôle du véhicule

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Page 206 : direction, essai routier et service. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  6. [6] BMW F30/F31 — notice II/2016, huile

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Pages 226–227 : appoint, Longlife-01/01 FE/04/12 FE/14 FE+ ; restrictions selon moteur et viscosité. Réf. 01 40 2 970 065. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  7. [7] BMW F30/F31 — notice II/2016, restrictions d’huile

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Page 227 : Longlife-12 FE diesel et viscosités 0W-20/5W-20 seulement pour certains moteurs ; vidange. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  8. [8] BMW F30/F31 — notice II/2016, CBS

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Page 230 : usage, données de service dans la clé, batterie débranchée, historique. Pas de tableau chiffré complet par motorisation. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  9. [9] BMW F30/F31 — notice II/2016, affichage du service

    BMW AG (notice reproduite par kfz-handbuch.de) · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Page 89 : distance/date, Infos véhicule > État du véhicule > Besoin de service. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  10. [10] ADAC — BMW Série 3 2012–2018 diesel, bilan occasion

    ADAC · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Pages 2–3 : défauts/rappels et histoire ; fin F30 10/2018, F31 06/2019. Les coûts à 30 000 km/24 mois ne sont pas une règle CBS universelle. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  11. [11] ADAC — gamme F30/F31 restylée

    ADAC · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Liste des versions : 330e iPerformance 03/2016–06/2018, 325d 224 ch 03/2016–02/2018 et évolution des finitions. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  12. [12] BMW — présentation F30/F31 restylées, 07/05/2015

    BMW Group · EN · Europe / marchés ACEA · Nouveaux moteurs modulaires essence et diesel ; 318i, 320i, 330i, 340i, 316d/318d/320d. Ne concerne pas le F34. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  13. [13] BMW — F30/F31 restylées, caractéristiques 05/2015

    BMW Group · EN · Europe / marchés ACEA · 36 pages : moteurs, puissances, couples, boîtes et Engine oil (Oil change), berline et Touring. 325d encore 160 kW ; N57 : 6,5 l. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  14. [14] BMW — 316i berline, fiche 11/2012

    BMW Group · EN · Europe / marchés ACEA · 2 pages : 100 kW/136 ch, 1 598 cm³, 220 Nm, huile de vidange 4,7 l. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  15. [15] ADAC — BMW Série 3, fiche technique adacpre-0

    ADAC · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Technische Daten 316i : N13B16A, chaîne. Liste Rückrufe & Mängel de toute la gamme : démarreur 08/2026, airbag 09/2024, EGR 07/2019, pompe à vide 10/2013 ; vérifier le VIN. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  16. [16] ADAC — BMW Série 3, fiche technique adaclci-13

    ADAC · DE · Europe / Allemagne · Technische Daten : moteur, puissance, cylindrée, distribution et dates ; périmètre européen documenté. · Accessed 08/10/2026

  17. [17] BMW Italia — F31 Touring, tarif pour production dès 01/03/2019

    BMW Group Italia · IT · Europe / Italie · Pages 3–4 : gamme et caractéristiques, dont 320d EfficientDynamics 120 kW/163 ch ; 318i/320i/340i, 316d/318d/320d/330d/335d ; diesel SCR. · Accessed 08/10/2026

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