The BMW 318is in the third 3 Series generation (E36, built 1990–2000) was built with 2 different engines over its life: the M42B18 (140 hp, 1989–1996) and the M44B19 (140 hp, 1996–2000).
Below you will find how to identify the engine in your 318is, the faults to look for, current prices for a replacement and the swap options that make sense.
- Generation: third 3 Series, 1990–2000
- Body styles: E36 (saloon, Touring, coupé, convertible, Compact)
- Engines: M42B18, M44B19
- Output: 140 hp
- Replacement engines in stock: 4 from 1.107,00 €
Which engine is in your 318is?
| Engine code | Built | Power | Torque | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M42B18 | 1989–1996 | 140 hp | 175 Nm | 1.8 L petrol inline-4, naturally aspirated |
| M44B19 | 1996–2000 | 140 hp | 180 Nm | 1.9 L petrol inline-4, naturally aspirated |
M42B18 in the 318is
The M42B18 was used in the E36 318is, built 1989–1996. It is a 1.8 L naturally aspirated petrol inline-4 with 140 hp and 175 Nm. It has the same output as the M44B19, so the build date decides which one your car has.
Reading the code: M marks an M-series code, the naming BMW used for its engine families up to the early 2000s; 42 is the family number; B stands for petrol (from the German Benzin); 18 is the capacity in decilitres, so 1.8 litres.
M44B19 in the 318is
The M44B19 was used in the E36 318is, built 1996–2000. It is a 1.9 L naturally aspirated petrol inline-4 with 140 hp and 180 Nm. It has the same output as the M42B18, so the build date decides which one your car has.
Reading the code: M marks an M-series code, the naming BMW used for its engine families up to the early 2000s; 44 is the family number; B stands for petrol (from the German Benzin); 19 is the capacity in decilitres, so 1.9 litres.
318is engines by model year
| Model year | Engine |
|---|---|
| 1990 | M42B18 (140 hp) |
| 1991 | M42B18 (140 hp) |
| 1992 | M42B18 (140 hp) |
| 1993 | M42B18 (140 hp) |
| 1994 | M42B18 (140 hp) |
| 1995 | M42B18 (140 hp) |
| 1996 | M42B18 (140 hp), M44B19 (140 hp) |
| 1997 | M44B19 (140 hp) |
| 1998 | M44B19 (140 hp) |
| 1999 | M44B19 (140 hp) |
| 2000 | M44B19 (140 hp) |
The engine changed 2 times during the E36 run, in 1996 and 1997. Changes usually come with BMW's mid-life update (LCI) or a new emissions standard, so a car registered early in a year can still have the older engine. The VIN settles it.
Other cars with the same engine as the 318is
A replacement engine does not have to come from another 318is. These models left the factory with the same engine code, so a unit from any of them is a candidate donor once the sump, mounts and ancillaries are matched to your car.
M42B18: BMW E30 318is.
M44B19: BMW Z3 1.9.
How to confirm your engine code
Because the 318is used more than one engine, the badge alone does not tell you which one your car has. The build date is the first clue; the VIN is the proof. Send us the last seven characters of the VIN and we read the engine code from BMW's records, or look for the code stamped on the block. How to find your BMW engine code.
Known 318is engine problems
M42B18 and M44B19 (M42 and M44 family)
The M42B18 and M44B19 in the 318is share the known weak points of the M42 and M44 family. Full M42 and M44 guide.
| Known fault | What to check |
|---|---|
| Head gasket | Check for mayonnaise under the oil cap and for coolant loss without visible leaks. |
| Timing chain guides and tensioner | Listen at the front of the engine on a cold start. |
| Valve cover and oil leaks | Pull a coil or plug lead and look for oil. |
| Plastic cooling parts | Look for white coolant stains and check the water pump impeller type. |
Head gasket. The M42 is known for head gasket failures, often showing as coolant loss into a cylinder or oil in the coolant. The later gasket design improved this.
Timing chain guides and tensioner. Guide rails and the tensioner wear, leading to chain noise on start-up.
Valve cover and oil leaks. Valve cover and spark plug tube gaskets harden and leak oil into the plug wells.
Plastic cooling parts. E36-era thermostat housings, expansion tanks and water pump impellers crack with age.
M42B18 and M44B19 (M42 and M44 family)
The M42B18 and M44B19 in the 318is share the known weak points of the M42 and M44 family. Full M42 and M44 guide.
| Known fault | What to check |
|---|---|
| Head gasket | Check for mayonnaise under the oil cap and for coolant loss without visible leaks. |
| Timing chain guides and tensioner | Listen at the front of the engine on a cold start. |
| Valve cover and oil leaks | Pull a coil or plug lead and look for oil. |
| Plastic cooling parts | Look for white coolant stains and check the water pump impeller type. |
Head gasket. The M42 is known for head gasket failures, often showing as coolant loss into a cylinder or oil in the coolant. The later gasket design improved this.
Timing chain guides and tensioner. Guide rails and the tensioner wear, leading to chain noise on start-up.
Valve cover and oil leaks. Valve cover and spark plug tube gaskets harden and leak oil into the plug wells.
Plastic cooling parts. E36-era thermostat housings, expansion tanks and water pump impellers crack with age.
Symptoms to watch for on the 318is
Rattle for a few seconds after a cold start. The classic sign of a weak timing chain tensioner or stretched chain. It must be checked quickly: a chain that jumps a tooth can bend valves.
Looking after the 318is engine
M42 and M44 engines
- Oil: 10W-40 or 5W-40 synthetic, about 4.5 litres with filter.
- Service interval: Oil every 10,000 km; cooling system parts every 80,000 to 100,000 km.
- Timing drive: Timing chain at the front with guides and a hydraulic tensioner.
- Workshop notes: Hydraulic lifters mean no valve adjustment, but they need clean oil of the right viscosity to stay quiet.
M42 and M44 engines
- Oil: 10W-40 or 5W-40 synthetic, about 4.5 litres with filter.
- Service interval: Oil every 10,000 km; cooling system parts every 80,000 to 100,000 km.
- Timing drive: Timing chain at the front with guides and a hydraulic tensioner.
- Workshop notes: Hydraulic lifters mean no valve adjustment, but they need clean oil of the right viscosity to stay quiet.
Buying a used engine for the 318is: checklist
- Ask how the donor car was damaged. Most good used engines come from cars with body damage. A front-end impact can crack sensors, the timing cover or the sump; a rear or side impact usually leaves the engine untouched. The yard records the damage on each unit.
- Sump, oil pickup and drive variants. Rear-drive, xDrive and front-drive cars can use different sumps, oil pickups and engine mounts even with the same engine code. Check that the sump matches your subframe and front axle.
- Confirm the exact engine code. Read the code stamped on the block and compare it with the code for your car. Send us the last seven characters of the VIN and we confirm the match before anything is paid.
- Warranty terms in writing. Read what the warranty covers, how long it runs and what fitting conditions apply. Most warranties require a qualified workshop, new fluids and filters, and replacement of the cooling parts that caused the original failure.
- Photographs from every side. Good suppliers photograph the actual engine you will receive. Look for the block stamp, the sump, the timing cover and any broken brackets or connectors in the pictures.
- Timing chain noise. Listen for a rattle at the front of the engine for the first seconds after a cold start. On an engine that cannot be run, look at the chain guides through the oil filler or with the valve cover off.
- Originality and numbers. For collectible cars, the engine number and correct ancillaries add value. Photograph the stamp and keep it with the car's documents.
BMW 318is replacement engine cost
Our 318is engine stock runs to 4 units, priced from 1.107,00 € to 3.043,00 € with a median of 1.381,00 €.
Prices depend on the exact version, the donor's mileage, how complete the engine is and the demand for that code. Higher-output versions, low mileage and dressed engines with turbo, injectors and ancillaries cost more; long blocks and higher mileage cost less.
1 of these come from E36 donor cars, priced from 3.043,00 €. An engine from the same body is the most direct swap because the sump, mounts and ancillaries already match.
On top of the engine, budget for the workshop's labour and the parts that are best replaced while the engine is out: engine mounts, the rear main seal, cooling parts, a clutch or converter seal, fluids and filters.
Replacement engines in stock for the 318is
These 318is units are in our Hamburg yard right now. Each listing shows real photographs of the engine you receive, its mileage and what is fitted.
BMW M44B19 Engine — 1.348,00 €, reduced from 1.900,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 24 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.
BMW M44B19 Engine — 1.107,00 €, reduced from 1.500,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 7 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.
Will it fit my 318is?
Will the M44B19 fit my BMW E36 318is?
Yes, the BMW E36 318is left the factory with the M44B19, so an M44B19 from another car is the direct replacement. The third 3 Series was built 1990–2000, and the M44B19 was produced 1996–2000, so check that your car's build date falls inside that window. Confirm the drive type (rear-drive or xDrive), the gearbox (manual or automatic) and the emissions standard, because these can change the sump, the flywheel and the software. Send us the VIN and we check all of it for you.
How much is a replacement engine for a BMW E36 318is?
We have 1 M44B19 engine from E36 donor cars, priced from 3.043,00 €. Delivery to your door is included, and the engine carries a 12-month warranty when fitted by a qualified workshop. Add fitting labour and the parts you replace at the same time — seals, cooling parts and mounts — to estimate the total.
Engine swaps and upgrades for the 318is
These engines were fitted to other versions of the E36 at the factory, which makes them the most practical upgrades: the body was designed around them and many parts are shared.
| Engine | Factory model | Power | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| M51D25 | E36 325td | 143 hp | +3 hp |
| M50B20 | E36 320i | 150 hp | +10 hp |
| M52B20 | E36 320i | 150 hp | +10 hp |
| M50TUB20 | E36 320i | 150 hp | +10 hp |
| M52B25 | E36 323i | 170 hp | +30 hp |
Can I fit the M51D25 in my 318is?
It is a full conversion: the M51D25 runs on diesel and the M44B19 on petrol, so the fuel system, wiring, engine control unit, instrument coding and usually the gearbox change too. The gain is 3 hp and 80 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.
Can I fit the M50B20 in my 318is?
It is a conversion rather than a replacement: the M50B20 is an inline-6 and your M44B19 an inline-4, so mounts, sump, cooling, exhaust, wiring and the engine control unit all change. The gain is 10 hp and 10 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.
Can I fit the M52B20 in my 318is?
It is a conversion rather than a replacement: the M52B20 is an inline-6 and your M44B19 an inline-4, so mounts, sump, cooling, exhaust, wiring and the engine control unit all change. The gain is 10 hp and 10 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.
Fitting a replacement engine in the 318is
- Inspect or replace the timing chain parts. Look at the guides and tensioner. On high-mileage engines, replacing them now costs far less than doing it later.
- Fill with the right oil and prime it. Fill with new oil of the correct specification and a new filter. Crank with the fuel and ignition disabled until oil pressure builds.
- Coding and adaptations. On modern BMWs, the engine ECU must be matched to the car's immobiliser (CAS, FEM or BDC). Reset adaptations, register the battery and clear faults with diagnostic software.
- First start and leak check. Start the engine, let it idle and watch oil pressure, temperature and fault codes. Check for leaks and bleed the cooling system.
- First 1,000 km. Drive gently for the first few hundred kilometres, vary the engine speed and avoid full load. Change the oil and filter after about 1,000 km to remove any assembly debris.
The full fitting and first-start procedure.
318is engine questions
How do I know a used M42B18 engine is in good shape?
Each engine in the yard is inspected in Hamburg. The code is matched to the listing, the parts on the engine are recorded, the openings are sealed and the real unit is photographed. An inspection certificate for the unit can travel with the order when you ask for it.
When you look at a listing, check the recorded mileage, the year and the photos of the ports and the stamp. Ask for photos of anything you want to see closer. You can ask for extra photos, a close-up of the code stamp or a short video before you order.
On a petrol engine like the M42B18, a careful fitter will also look at the spark plugs, the coils and the timing side before the engine goes in.
If the engine fails inside under normal use, the warranty covers you. Eligible engines come with a 12 months warranty from the delivery date. It covers internal mechanical failure under normal use and correct fitting by a qualified mechanic or workshop.
See all M42 Engines · Search M42B18 in the shop
What is the BMW M42B18 engine?
The BMW M42B18 is a 1.8 liter (1,796 cc) petrol engine from the M42 family. It has an inline 4, DOHC, 16 valve layout with no turbo (naturally aspirated), and makes 100 kW (136 HP) with 172 Nm of torque. BMW built it from 1989 to 1996 and it meets the Euro 1 emission standard.
You find the M42B18 in the BMW E30 318is, BMW E36 318i and BMW E36 318is. What we list: BMW M42 1.8 16-valve engines for E30 318is and E36 318i.
At Autowerke Engines every M42B18 is a real used engine from our yard in Hamburg. Before a unit is listed, the yard checks the engine code against the listing, writes down the parts fitted to it, seals every opening and photographs the real engine you will receive. Each listing shows the year, the mileage and the price, so you can compare units side by side.
Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.
See all M42 Engines · Search M42B18 in the shop
Can you check if an M42B18 fits my car with my VIN?
Yes, and it is free. Send the 17-character VIN of your car and, if you have it, the gearbox code. We check the engine family, the build year window and the parts your car needs.
For the M42B18, we confirm that your car was built with this code or with a version that can take it. BMW used it in the BMW E30 318is, BMW E36 318i and BMW E36 318is.
We only reserve an engine once the match is confirmed, so you never pay for the wrong unit. You can reach the Hamburg desk by email at autowerkeengines@gmail.com, or by phone and WhatsApp on +49 15510 030835, Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 16:00 CET.
You can also use the VIN check on our site. It reads the year, the make, the model and the engine from the public vehicle register.
See all M42 Engines · Search M42B18 in the shop
How long does delivery of an M42B18 engine take?
Orders confirmed before 14:00 CET on a working day leave Hamburg the same day. Later and weekend orders leave the next working day. Delivery to the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and Denmark takes 1 to 3 working days.
Spain, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Czechia, Austria, Ireland, the Nordics and the Baltics take 2 to 5 working days. Greek and Spanish islands, Malta, Cyprus and remote areas take 4 to 8 working days. The UK and other countries outside the EU are quoted one by one.
Shipping is a flat 249 € per order. It is added once at checkout and printed on the invoice, so there is no extra fee later. Every engine is drained, sealed at each opening, strapped to a heat-treated pallet and shrink-wrapped, then photographed before it leaves the yard.
You get a tracking number when the pallet is collected. Check the wrapping before you sign, and note any damage on the paperwork.
See all M42 Engines · Search M42B18 in the shop
Are there other versions of the BMW M42B18?
In our yard the M42B18 is the only listed version of the M42 family. It makes 100 kW (136 HP) and 172 Nm, and was built from 1989 to 1996.
Engines in one family share a basic block, but the turbo, the injection, the sensors and the engine computer can differ. A higher power version often has different pistons, a bigger turbo or a different fuel system.
This is why we ask for the exact code. Fitting a different version can work, but the wiring, the software and sometimes the gearbox must be changed to match.
Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.
See all M42 Engines · Search M42B18 in the shop
How much power and torque does the BMW M42B18 have?
From the factory the BMW M42B18 makes 100 kW (136 HP) and 172 Nm of torque. It is a 1.8 liter (1,796 cc) inline 4, DOHC, 16 valve petrol engine with no turbo (naturally aspirated).
Without a turbo, the power builds smoothly with the revs. A clean air intake, healthy ignition and the correct fuel are key to getting the full figure.
A used engine reaches its factory numbers when it is fitted with the matching engine computer and software, and serviced with the right oil and filters. If the engine computer from your car is a different version, a specialist may need to code it.
Every M42B18 on our site lists its year and mileage. You can ask for extra photos, a close-up of the code stamp or a short video before you order.
See all M42 Engines · Search M42B18 in the shop
Does a used M42B18 engine come with a warranty?
Yes. Eligible engines come with a 12 months warranty from the delivery date. It covers internal mechanical failure under normal use and correct fitting by a qualified mechanic or workshop.
The warranty does not cover damage from wrong fitting, overheating, low oil, wrong fluids or fuel, engines that were opened or modified without our approval, or labour and towing costs.
To claim, send us your order number, a short description of the problem, photos or a video, and a mechanic's report if we ask for one. If the claim is approved, we repair, replace or refund the engine.
Keep the receipts for the fitting, the oil and the filters. They make any claim quick and simple.
See all M42 Engines · Search M42B18 in the shop
Which cars use the BMW M42B18 engine?
BMW fitted the M42B18 to the BMW E30 318is, BMW E36 318i and BMW E36 318is. These cars were built with this engine from about 1989 to 1996.
The badge on the boot is not enough to be sure. The same model name can hide two different engines, for example after a facelift or a change in emission rules. Always read the engine code stamped on the block, or look it up with your VIN.
The M42B18 is the only M42 version we list, which makes it easy to pick, but the wiring and the engine computer still need to match your car.
Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.
See all M42 Engines · Search M42B18 in the shop
Delivery, warranty and payment
Every 318is engine we sell is drained, sealed at each opening, strapped to a heat-treated pallet and shrink-wrapped before it leaves Hamburg. You receive photographs of the packed engine and a tracking number.
Delivery is door to door and included in the price. Most European addresses receive the engine within five to ten working days; Germany and its neighbours are usually faster.
Every engine carries a 12-month warranty on eligible internal failure when a qualified workshop fits it with new fluids and filters. Payment is by card, bank transfer or crypto; your invoice is emailed as soon as you order.
All E36 engines · M42 and M44 engine guide · M42 and M44 engine guide · Send us your VIN
