B38
BMW · 1.5L Turbo I3
2014–present
"Budget modern BMW. Reliable but not exciting. 136hp adequate for city. Limited tuning."
Mileage Risk Timeline
When problems typically appear — enter your mileage to see your risk zone
Known Issues 3
Timing chain wear (rare — oil dependent)
▸Cold start rattle that does not disappear, check engine light
Much less common than N20. Front-mounted, improved design. Only risk if oil maintenance neglected.
Low concern. Keep oil fresh at 7-8k km with quality oil.
Intake valve carbon buildup (DI)
▸Rough cold idle, slight hesitation
DI standard issue. Lower power than B48 = less heat to reduce buildup.
Low concern for Greece. Warm climate + adequate driving = slower buildup.
Wastegate rattle (cold start)
▸Light rattling cold start first 10-20 sec, disappears when warm
Characteristic of design. Not destructive. BMW software update reduces frequency.
Very common B38 owner complaint. Greek dealers can apply software update. Not a mechanical concern.
This report covers the combustion engine only. Battery and electric motor reliability are not included.
Models with B38 15
Related Guides
Other BMW Engines
Tuning Potential
Limited — 170hp max
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BMW B38 reliable?
The BMW B38 scores 72/100 with a verdict of ACCEPTABLE. It has 3 documented issues with total repair costs between €850 and €1,900.
What are the common problems with the B38?
The most common issues are:
- Timing chain wear (rare — oil dependent) — moderate, repair cost €600–€1,200, 120,000 km–180,000 km
- Intake valve carbon buildup (DI) — minor, repair cost €250–€500, 80,000 km–150,000 km
- Wastegate rattle (cold start) — minor, repair cost €0–€200, 30,000 km–∞
What cars use the BMW B38?
The B38 is found in:
- 1 Series (2019–2024)
- 3 Series (2015–2019)
- 3 Series (2019–present)
- 1 Series (2015–2019)
- X1 (2015–2022)
- 2 Series Active Tourer (2022–present)
- 2 Series Active Tourer (2014–2021)
- 1 Series (2015–2019)
- 1 Series (2019–2024)
- X1 (2020–2022)
How much does it cost to repair the B38?
Total potential repair costs for all 3 known issues range from €850 to €1,900. The most expensive issue is typically .
What years was the B38 produced?
The BMW B38 was produced from 2014 to present. It is a 1499cc I3 petrol turbo engine.
Scores are calculated from documented issues, repair costs, and failure patterns across thousands of owner reports and technical sources. Learn about our methodology. Always inspect before you buy.