BMW B38B15A engine: specs, problems and prices

BMW built the B38B15A from 2015 to 2024. It is a 1.5 L turbocharged petrol inline-3 with 140 hp and 220 Nm, part of the B38 family. You will find it in the BMW F48 X1 18i and BMW F39 X2 18i.

This guide is about the B38B15A specifically: its specification, the cars that use it, how it differs from the other B38 versions, what to check, prices from our stock and fitment answers for each model. For the history of the whole family, read our B38 guide.

• Capacity and layout: 1.5 L, inline-3, turbocharged
• Output: 140 hp and 220 Nm
• Production: 2015–2024
• Fitted to: 2 models across 2 chassis generations
• In our stock: 18 units from 901,00 € — B38B15A engines for sale

B38B15A specifications

The B38B15A is a 1.5 L inline-3 petrol engine, turbocharged, rated at 140 hp and 220 Nm. BMW built it from 2015 to 2024. That is about 93 hp and 147 Nm per litre, a strong figure for a road engine of its era. Within the B38 family, it is the most powerful version, while the B38B15 (136 hp) and B38A15 (136 hp) are milder. It was fitted to the BMW F48 X1 18i and BMW F39 X2 18i.

What the code B38B15A means

• B marks a B-series code, BMW's modular engine family introduced from 2013 with 500 cc per cylinder.
• 38 is the family number.
• B stands for petrol, longitudinal installation for rear-drive and xDrive cars.
• 15 is the capacity in decilitres, so 1.5 litres.
• A identifies the version or output stage.

Which BMW models use the B38B15A

In the F48 second X1 (2015–2022), the B38B15A powered the X1 18i. We have 2 B38B15A units from F48 donor cars. All F48 engines

In the F39 first X2 (2017–2023), the B38B15A powered the X2 18i. We have 3 B38B15A units from F39 donor cars. All F39 engines

B38B15A compared with other B38 versions

B38B15A or B38B15?

The B38B15 has 4 hp less than the B38B15A (136 against 140 hp), from the same 1.5 L, and was built 2014–2026. Versions of the same size share the block and most mounting points, but the turbo or intake, injectors, software and sometimes the sump differ. Fitting one in place of the other usually means transferring parts and coding the engine control unit, so the simplest choice is the code your car left the factory with.

B38B15A or B38A15?

The B38A15 has 4 hp less than the B38B15A (136 against 140 hp), from the same 1.5 L, and was built 2014–2024. Versions of the same size share the block and most mounting points, but the turbo or intake, injectors, software and sometimes the sump differ. Fitting one in place of the other usually means transferring parts and coding the engine control unit, so the simplest choice is the code your car left the factory with.

Common B38B15A problems

The B38B15A shares its weak points with the rest of the B38 family. These are the faults to check on a used unit and on your own engine. The full explanation of each is in the B38 guide.

Engine mounts. Three-cylinder vibration finishes mounts.

B38B15A maintenance

• 0W-20 or 0W-30 BMW Longlife-17 FE+ or 01, about 4.25 litres.
• Oil every 15,000 km or yearly.
• Timing chain at the rear (gearbox end).

Will the B38B15A fit my car?

Will the B38B15A fit my BMW F48 X1 18i?

For the BMW F48 X1 18i, the B38B15A is the factory engine and the one to order. The second X1 was built 2015–2022, and the B38B15A was produced 2015–2024, so check that your car's build date falls inside that window. Confirm the drive type (front-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 F48 X1 18i?

We have 2 B38B15A engines from F48 donor cars, priced from 1.343,00 € to 2.707,00 €. 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.

Will the B38B15A fit my BMW F39 X2 18i?

For the BMW F39 X2 18i, the B38B15A is the factory engine and the one to order. The first X2 was built 2017–2023, and the B38B15A was produced 2015–2024, so check that your car's build date falls inside that window. Confirm the drive type (front-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 F39 X2 18i?

We have 3 B38B15A engines from F39 donor cars, priced from 1.352,00 € to 3.204,00 €. 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.

B38B15A prices

Across 18 B38B15A units in our stock today, prices start at 901,00 € and reach 4.236,00 €. The median — the price in the middle of the range — is 2.250,00 €.

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.

B38B15A prices by model year

Engines from 2005–2009 have a median of 2.105,00 €, while units from 2020–2024 sit at 3.144,00 €. Newer engines usually cost more because they come from younger donor cars with lower mileage and later updates.

B38B15A prices by mileage

Mileage matters less than history on a well-maintained BMW engine, but it is a useful guide. A low-mileage unit from a younger car gives you more life for a modest premium.

B38B15A engines in stock

These B38B15A 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 F39 X2 18i B38B15A Complete Engine1.352,00 €BMW B38B15A Engine 218i F22 20132.890,00 €BMW 118i F20 B38B15A Engine 2015 · 82,000 km1.525,00 €BMW F48 X1 18i B38B15A Complete Engine1.343,00 €BMW B38B15A Engine 218i F22 2013 · 57,000 km2.568,00 €BMW B38B15A Engine1.400,00 €

BMW F39 X2 18i B38B15A Complete Engine — 1.352,00 €, reduced from 1.850,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 16 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW B38B15A Engine 218i F22 2013 — 2.890,00 €, reduced from 3.650,00 €. It comes from a 2013 donor car, and 27 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW 118i F20 B38B15A Engine 2015 · 82,000 km — 1.525,00 €, reduced from 2.250,00 €. It comes from a 2015 donor car with 82,000 km, and 7 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW F48 X1 18i B38B15A Complete Engine — 1.343,00 €, reduced from 1.850,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 21 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW B38B15A Engine 218i F22 2013 · 57,000 km — 2.568,00 €, reduced from 2.800,00 €. It comes from a 2013 donor car with 57,000 km, and 21 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW B38B15A Engine — 1.400,00 €, reduced from 1.850,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 26 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

Buying a used B38B15A: checklist

1. Gearbox and flywheel match. Manual and automatic engines differ at the flywheel or flexplate, and sometimes at the crankshaft spigot. Make sure the engine you buy matches your gearbox or that you transfer the right parts.
2. Why your old engine failed. Before fitting a replacement, find out why the original failed. An overheating radiator, a blocked intercooler or a failed turbo can destroy a second engine if they are not fixed.
3. 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.
4. Look at the oil and coolant. Clean oil without metal particles and coolant without oil are good signs. Milky oil, oily coolant or a burnt smell mean the engine needs further checks before it is fitted.
5. 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.
6. Turbocharger shaft play and oil. Rotate the compressor wheel by hand. A small amount of side play is normal; in-and-out play or wheel contact with the housing is not. Oil pooled in the intake or intercooler pipes points to worn seals.
7. 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.
8. Gearbox-end timing chain. On this engine the timing chain sits at the gearbox end, so replacing it normally means removing the engine. If the chain has not been replaced, the time to do it is before the engine goes into your car.
9. VANOS operation. Rough idle, a rattle from the front of the head and a loss of torque at low revs point to VANOS seals or solenoids. These are serviceable parts and are easier to renew with the engine out.
10. Double VANOS units and solenoids. Ask for the adaptation values or fault history if the engine was running. Solenoids are inexpensive and are often replaced as a matter of course on a used engine.
11. Valvetronic motor and eccentric shaft sensor. The Valvetronic motor and its sensor cause limp-mode faults when they fail. Inspect the connector and the seal around the motor for oil.
12. Injectors and high-pressure fuel pump. Direct-injection engines rely on high-pressure pumps and precise injectors. Ask whether the injectors are original or updated and whether there were fuel pressure faults.

Questions about the B38B15A

Which years were BMW B38 engines made?

BMW built the B38 engines we list from about 2014 to 2024. The B38A15 ran from 2014 to 2024.

They went into chassis F20, F40, F45 and F48. The exact year of a car matters, because BMW sometimes changed the engine version or its parts in the middle of a model's life.

Each listing in our yard names the engine year, so you can match it to the build date of 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 B38 Engines

How much does a used BMW B38A15 engine cost?

A used BMW B38A15 engine in our yard usually costs between 1.250 € and 2.100 €. The exact price depends on the year, the mileage and the parts that come with the engine.

Our units show recorded mileage from about 22,000 km up to around 200,000 km. Lower mileage and more ancillaries mean a higher price. Each listing shows its own price, and the price you see is the price you pay. Prices include VAT for private buyers.

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. If you order a gearbox or a second engine on the same order, the fee is still charged once.

Inside the EU there is no import duty. For the UK and other non-EU countries, import duty and local VAT are paid by the receiver, and we supply a commercial invoice.

See all B38 Engines · Search B38A15 in the shop

How much power and torque does the BMW B38A15 have?

From the factory the BMW B38A15 makes 100 kW (136 HP) and 220 Nm of torque. It is a 1.5 liter (1,499 cc) inline 3, DOHC, 12 valve petrol engine with a single turbocharger.

Because it is turbocharged, the torque comes in low in the rev range, which makes the car feel strong in everyday driving. A healthy turbo, a clean intercooler and tight boost pipes 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 B38A15 on our site lists its year and mileage. Ask the desk for more pictures of any listing. We are happy to show the stamp, the ports and the ancillaries before you decide.

See all B38 Engines · Search B38A15 in the shop

How much is a replacement B38A15 engine for a BMW F48 X1 sDrive18i?

A used B38A15 for the BMW F48 X1 sDrive18i costs from about 1.250 € to 2.100 € in our yard. The price depends on the year, the mileage and the parts that come with the engine.

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. Inside the EU there is no import duty. Outside the EU, the receiver pays local duty and VAT.

A replacement engine is often much cheaper than rebuilding a damaged one, and much faster. The B38A15 you buy is photographed and checked in Hamburg before it is listed.

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. 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 B38 Engines · Search B38A15 in the shop

What should I know about the BMW B38 engine?

BMW B38 1.5 three-cylinder turbo petrol engines for 118i and 218i. We list one version: B38A15 (1.5 liter (1,499 cc), 100 kW (136 HP), 2014 to 2024).

Because there is only one version, the code is easy to match. You still need the engine computer and wiring that suit your car.

The B38 family was used in chassis F20, F40, F45 and F48. The photos on each listing show the actual engine, not a stock picture. The yard checks the code, records what is bolted on, and seals the openings before the engine is offered.

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 B38 Engines

Is the BMW B38A15 a diesel or petrol engine?

The B38A15 is a petrol engine. It is a 1.5 liter (1,499 cc) inline 3, DOHC, 12 valve unit with a single turbocharger, and it was built to the Euro 6 emission standard.

The emission standard matters for registration and for low-emission zones in many cities. When you replace an engine with the same code, the car keeps the same paperwork and the same emission class.

Petrol versions need the correct catalytic converters and oxygen sensors on the car to stay legal and to keep the engine computer happy. Reuse the parts from your car if they are in good condition.

If you are not sure which version you need, send us your VIN. We tell you the right code for free.

See all B38 Engines · Search B38A15 in the shop

Will the B38A15 engine fit my BMW F20 118i?

Yes, if your BMW F20 118i was built with the B38A15. BMW used this 1.5 liter (1,499 cc) petrol engine with 100 kW (136 HP) in the F20 118i from about 2014 to 2024.

In our records the B38A15 is the engine for the F20 118i, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.

Also tell us if your F20 has a manual or an automatic gearbox. The flywheel or the flex plate and some sensors depend on it.

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 B38 Engines · Search B38A15 in the shop

Can you check if a B38A15 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 B38A15, we confirm that your car was built with this code or with a version that can take it. BMW used it in the BMW F20 118i, BMW F40 118i, BMW F45 218i and BMW F48 X1 sDrive18i.

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 B38 Engines · Search B38A15 in the shop

How long does delivery of a B38A15 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 B38 Engines · Search B38A15 in the shop

How much is a replacement B38A15 engine for a BMW F40 118i?

A used B38A15 for the BMW F40 118i costs from about 1.250 € to 2.100 € in our yard. The price depends on the year, the mileage and the parts that come with the engine.

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. Inside the EU there is no import duty. Outside the EU, the receiver pays local duty and VAT.

A replacement engine is often much cheaper than rebuilding a damaged one, and much faster. The B38A15 you buy is photographed and checked in Hamburg before it is listed.

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. 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 B38 Engines · Search B38A15 in the shop

What should I check on a used BMW B38 engine?

Start with the basics: the engine code on the block, the recorded mileage and the photos. Make sure the code matches your car and the parts you need are on the unit.

On a B38 petrol engine, a fitter usually checks the spark plugs, the coils, the timing side and the oil seals. These parts are easy to check before fitting and easy to change if needed.

Ask the desk for more pictures of any listing. We are happy to show the stamp, the ports and the ancillaries before you decide. An inspection certificate can travel with the order on request.

Once fitted, change the oil and filter early and drive gently at first. Report any problem right away so the warranty stays valid.

See all B38 Engines · Inspection certificate

How much is a replacement B38A15 engine for a BMW F45 218i?

A used B38A15 for the BMW F45 218i costs from about 1.250 € to 2.100 € in our yard. The price depends on the year, the mileage and the parts that come with the engine.

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. Inside the EU there is no import duty. Outside the EU, the receiver pays local duty and VAT.

A replacement engine is often much cheaper than rebuilding a damaged one, and much faster. The B38A15 you buy is photographed and checked in Hamburg before it is listed.

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. 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 B38 Engines · Search B38A15 in the shop

Delivery, warranty and payment

Before a B38B15A leaves our Hamburg yard it is drained of oil and coolant, every opening is sealed, and it is strapped to a pallet and wrapped. We send photographs of the packed unit and the tracking details.

Door-to-door delivery is included to the address you give at checkout. Typical delivery takes three to five working days within Germany and neighbouring countries and five to ten working days to the rest of Europe and the UK.

A 12-month warranty covers eligible internal failure when the engine is fitted by a qualified workshop with new fluids and filters. You can pay by card, bank transfer or crypto and receive the invoice by email straight away.

B38 engine guide · B38B15A engines for sale · All B38 engines · Send us your VIN