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
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:
- 2 Series Active Tourer (2014–2021)
- 1 Series (2019–2024)
- 3 Series (2019–present)
- 1 Series (2015–2019)
- 1 Series (2019–2024)
- X1 (2015–2022)
- 2 Series Active Tourer (2022–present)
- 1 Series (2015–2019)
- 3 Series (2015–2019)
- 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.
Verdict and scores are editorial opinions based on aggregated data. Learn about our methodology. Not a substitute for professional inspection.