BMW B38B15 engine

The B38 is still the exclusive motor with three cylinders. In the summer of 2018, it was the newest on the market from the manufacturer BMW. The engines of this series are very productive and efficient, they create a new series of internal combustion motors for gasoline. Other striking advantages of the engine can be called economical use of fuel, power, excellent compactness and good torque. With all this, the product is lightweight, which helps the car not to be heavier on the road.

The B38 has parameters that must not be violated. The volume of such engines is 1.5 liters. Its maximum power is 136 horsepower, maximum torque 220 N*m. As fuel, it is required to use gasoline of the 95th brand. At 100 kilometers, fuel consumption will be only 5 liters. Three cylinders are installed here and their in-line arrangement is well distinguished. The cylinder diameter is 82 millimeters, and 4 valves per cylinder will be a standard feature. The supercharger here is a turbine, which copes with its work perfectly. The compression ratio is 11. And the piston stroke will be 94.6 millimeters.

Engine specifications B38B15

Advantages

This engine series is very similar to the individual B37 or B48 from other generations. Four valves per cylinder, the latest supercharger, power boost technology and gasoline direct injection will be the most important features and innovations of the model. There is a system that controls the phases of gas distribution, a shaft for balancing and a damper in order to dampen all vibrations. A high degree of environmental friendliness has been achieved thanks to a system that reduces the amount of emissions into the atmosphere. This technology was introduced for the first time and is fully compliant with European standards. Many modifications, which have three cylinders, can be distinguished by their peculiarities. Any cylinder has a volume of 0.5 cubic meters and power, which lies in the range of 75-320 horsepower. The maximum torque in such a case can vary between 150-320 N*m. Many specialists thought that such installations will not show their strength, but the basic parameters are quite enough to drive measuredly within the city. And here the units will please, because they are 10-15 percent more economical than 4-cylinder versions. In addition, the second place “engine of the year” was received by this B38 four years ago. In its class, it had practically no equal among competitors.

Disadvantages

Driver reviews indicate that there are no major problems. Engines and cars are usually completely satisfied with the owners. But there are exceptions. For example, the consumption in urban areas is almost no different from apparatuses that have 4 cylinders. In the city, such an engine will take from 10 to 12 liters per 100 kilometers, and on the highway from 6.5 to 7 liters. Hybrid new motors are not taken into account here. The oil does not have a large consumption. The revs have no additional problems or disadvantages. But all these qualities are available only for new motors, but after 10 years they still get their disadvantages. They are usually associated with the loss of possible resources.

Modifications

There are many versions for this motor.

For example, the B38B15A can be installed on the BMW 116i F21 or F20 series. Its power is 109 horsepower, and the maximum torque will be 180 N*m. Such an engine will usually consume from 4.7 to 5.2 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. The diameter of cylinders here is 82 millimeters.

The B38A12U0 is normally found in MINI cars. The two versions with 75 and 102 horsepower are completely different. The power is so different because of the huge compression ratio, it can be increased to 11. The cylinders have a volume of 1.2 liters, and the consumption for them will be an average of 5 liters per 100 kilometers.

The B38K15T0 exists for the sport version. It is a turbocharged engine that has been specially developed and the standard B38 was used as a base. It has all the best qualities of the versions and is installed on i-series cars.

B38A15M0 has the highest prevalence. This modification is often found on Mini or 1,2,3-series models. The unit has a power of 136 horsepower and a maximum torque of 220 N*m. The crankshaft has a piston stroke of 94.6 millimeters, and the cylinder diameter here is 82 millimeters.

Design features B38K15T0

Engineers have achieved such excellent performance due to the best design features. The B38K15T0 version has these features:

•  The oil modern pump has a lightweight shape.
•  The drive belt has been extended to 8 ribs, previously there were 6.
•  The front position of the antifreeze pump is now present. The crankcase has been completely adapted and adjusted. The air injection system and the generator are very compactly arranged.
•  The bearing sizes for the connecting rod have been increased.
•  The cylinder head is designed in a gravity-driven casting, this feature has markedly improved the density of the part.
•  The tensioners and the drive for the belt changed. The starter gears were removed and the engine started with a high voltage alternator.
•  The diameter of the exhaust valve shaft is now 6 millimeters. The supercharger pressure now produces no noticeable vibrations.
•  The repair drive has increased power. In order to cope with the power, drive shaft bearings with reinforced characteristics have been installed.
•  Now there is a choke flap for cooling water.
•  The blower is cooled through the bearing bore.
•  A strut stabilizer appeared on the front of the crankcase.
•  A housing for a compressor turbine was introduced into the manifold.

DWP with contracts

The B38B15s are fairly new engines and were released in 2013. In the summer of 2018, they still have not lost their freshness. In five years, the resources of these motors simply can not be used to the fullest, so all experts in one voice trumpet that they recommend buying these units. The price will depend on the condition and equipment of the canopy, the cost is usually somewhere around 200000 rubles. Motors with a contract have the main feature, it is the year of release. Therefore, drivers usually take the freshest internal combustion engines. If you can not find such models, then a good resource will not be guaranteed.

B38s are excellent modern and quality units that know how to realize all the advantages and achievements of their manufacturer. The small displacement does not hinder the output of a decent amount of horsepower, and also achieves simply excellent for the model maximum torque.

This engine is installed on the following models:

BMW 1-Series (F20)

BMW 2-Series (F22)

BMW 2-Series (F23)

BMW 2-Series Active Tourer (F45)

BMW 3-Series (F30)