F60 · 2017–2023

MINI Countryman Cooper F60 · 136 hp (2017 to 2023)

The MINI Countryman Cooper of the F60 generation uses the B38A15 petrol engine with 136 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
136 PS / 100 kW
Displacement
1 499 cm³
Cylinders
3
Engine code
B38A15
Period covered
2017–2023
Documented market
Europe

Transmission

  • Manual · 6 speeds
  • Automatic · 7 speeds

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

Specification source : [1] AutoKarnet

This version

136 hp (100 kW), front-wheel drive, 6-speed manual or 7-speed automatic. Built from 2017 to 2023.

AutoKarnet advice

In the range

It sits between the One (102 hp) and the Cooper S (178 hp). The B38A15 engine is also fitted to: MINI (F55/F56), MINI (F66 / J01), MINI Cabrio (F57), MINI Clubman (F54), MINI Countryman (U25), BMW X1 (F48).

AutoKarnet advice

BMW B38 petrol engine (1.5 l, three-cylinder)

This applies to every car fitted with the B38 engine.

What the B38 is

Inline three-cylinder petrol engine of 1,499 cc (82 mm bore, 94.6 mm stroke) with turbocharging, direct injection, Valvetronic and double VANOS; BMW describes it with the four-cylinder as the modular “Bx8” family. In BMW’s naming, the “A” in B38A stands for a transversely installed petrol engine (F40, F45/F46); the F23 2 Series Convertible carries the B38B15M0. It powers the 116i/118i and 216i/218i among others and, as a plug-in hybrid, the 225xe Active Tourer (B38A15A according to ADAC: 100 kW/136 PS and 220 Nm for the combustion engine, 165 kW/224 PS system output).

Source : [5] [6] [10] [3] [9] [12]

Engine oil

BMW handbooks only list oils for topping up and leave the oil change to a qualified workshop; the list depends on the handbook edition. 2 Series Active Tourer F45 handbook (II/17): BMW Longlife-01, -01 FE, -04, -12 FE or -14 FE+, in SAE 0W-40, 0W-30, 5W-40 or 5W-30 (0W-20 and 5W-20 only for certain engines); otherwise up to 1 litre of ACEA A3/B4. F45 facelift handbook (VI/19): BMW Longlife-04, -12 FE or -17 FE+, in SAE 0W-20, 5W-20, 0W-30, 5W-30, 0W-40 or 5W-40; otherwise up to 1 litre of ACEA C2 or C3. 1 Series F40 handbook (II/22): BMW Longlife-12 FE or -17 FE+, in SAE 0W-20 or 0W-30 only; otherwise up to 1 litre of ACEA C2 or C5. Active Tourer U06 handbook (X/24): BMW Longlife-12 FE, -17 FE+ or -19 FE, in SAE 0W-20 or 0W-30; otherwise up to 1 litre of ACEA C2, C3 or C5. No additives. Quantity published by BMW: 4.25 l for the B38B15M0 (2017 2 Series Convertible) and for the B38A15M1 (2019 1 Series F40, oil-change quantity). No quantity is sourced here for other installations, including the plug-in hybrid.

Source : [7] [8] [4] [11] [10] [3]

Timing drive

Chain. For the first generation, BMW’s training document describes a two-part drive on the transmission side (lower chain to an intermediate shaft, upper chain to the camshafts), a separate chain for the oil/vacuum pump and spring-preloaded hydraulic tensioners. For the revised B38 in the 2019 F40 118i, BMW announces a one-piece timing chain drive; an L-shaped belt drives only the alternator, water pump, vibration damper and A/C compressor. The sources consulted give no chain replacement interval.

Source : [5] [2] [12]

What changed over the years

2014: first generation (B38 in BMW’s 2014–2015 documentation). 2016: plug-in hybrid version in the 225xe Active Tourer. 2019: B38A15M1 in the F40 1 Series — 103 kW (140 hp) and 220 Nm, 5 kg lighter, form-honed bores, on-demand piston cooling, exhaust manifold integrated into the head, aluminium turbine housing, higher injection pressure, split cooling of head and block, crankshaft 1.1 kg lighter, and a gasoline particulate filter for Euro 6d-TEMP.

Source : [5] [6] [12] [2] [3]

Maintenance and records

Oil and filter change

Per CBS, at the latest 24 months

24 months

Due date calculated by the car from use. BMW Longlife-approved oil suited to the engine.

Source [1]

Pads and discs

Per wear sensors

Front and rear tracked separately by CBS.

Source [1]

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 MINI Countryman Cooper F60?

The B38A15 petrol engine (1 499 cc), 136 hp (100 kW).

AutoKarnet advice

Which oil for the MINI Countryman Cooper?

A BMW Longlife-approved oil suited to the B38A15 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 Media information 05/2019 — The all-new BMW 1 Series (press kit)

    BMW Group · EN · Europe (ACEA) · PDF p. 2 (launch dates), pp. 13–14 (xDrive, limited-slip differential), pp. 16–20 (engines, transmissions) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  3. [3] BMW UK Technical data — The all-new BMW 1 Series (118i, M135i xDrive)

    BMW (UK) Ltd. · EN · United Kingdom · Basic data summary (engine description B38A15M1 / B48A20T1); Motor: “Engine oil (exchange quantity)” · Accessed 08/10/2026

  4. [4] BMW 1er (F40) Betriebsanleitung, Sach-Nr. 01405A54108 – II/22 (online copy)

    BMW AG (online copy: Kfz-Handbuch.de) · DE · Germany · p. 182 (Servicebedarf), pp. 349–357 (Kraftstoff, AdBlue, Motoröl, Kühlmittel), pp. 360–361 (Condition Based Service, Service Historie) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  5. [5] 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

  6. [6] BMW Technical training — B58 Engine

    BMW of North America — Technical training (archive.org copy) · EN · USA · Information status April 2015 · §1.2 Modular design · §1.3 Technical data (engine oil specification) · §2.2.4 Chain drive · Accessed 08/10/2026

  7. [7] 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

  8. [8] 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

  9. [9] BMW parts catalogue (ETK) — BMW 2 Series F45 Active Tourer, Europe: model and engine list

    bmwfans.info (copy of the BMW ETK parts catalogue) · EN · Europe · Model, Engine: 214d/216d B37, 216i/218i B38, 218d/220d (and xDrive) B47, 220i/225i/225i xDrive B48, 225xe B38X · Accessed 08/10/2026

  10. [10] BMW UK Technical data — 2 Series Convertible LCI (F23LCI)

    BMW Group UK · EN · United Kingdom · Effective production week 44/2017 · engine type (B38B15M0, B48B20M0, B48B20O0, B58B30M0, B47D20U0, B47D20O0, B47D20T0), gearbox, “Engine oil (filling quantity)” · Accessed 08/10/2026

  11. [11] BMW 2er Active Tourer (U06) Betriebsanleitung, Sach-Nr. 01405B553E0 – X/24 (online copy)

    BMW AG (online copy: Kfz-Handbuch.de) · DE · Germany · pp. 170–171 (Service), 334 (Einfahren), 350–351 (Rekuperation, Segeln), 389–394 (Kraftstoff, AdBlue), 394–399 (Motoröl, Kühlmittel), 401 (CBS, Service Historie), 405–408 (Batterie, Mild-Hybrid), 412–413 (Starthilfe), 425–431 (Technische Daten) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  12. [12] ADAC Autokatalog — BMW 225xe iPerformance Active Tourer Advantage Steptronic (03/16 – 02/18)

    ADAC · DE · Germany · Technische Daten: Motorart, Motorcode, Leistung, Drehmoment, Schadstoffklasse, Abgasreinigung, Aufladung, Nockenwellensteuerung, Hubraum · Accessed 08/10/2026

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