BMW engines B38A15M0, B38B15, B38K15T0
B38 is a unique 3-cylinder engine, which is the most modern (for the middle of 2018) solution of the BMW concern. These engines are extremely efficient and productive and, in fact, usher in a new era of gasoline internal combustion engines. The features of the engine include extreme efficiency, high power, torque, compactness. The engine itself remains light at high performance.
Features
Parameters "BMW B38" in the table:
| Exact volume | 1.499 l. |
|---|---|
| Power | 136 hp |
| Torque | 220 Nm. |
| Required fuel | Gasoline AI-95 |
| Fuel consumption for 100 km | About 5 l. |
| A type | 3-cylinder, in-line. |
| Bore | 82 mm |
| Number of valves | 4 per cylinder, total 12 pcs. |
| Supercharger | Turbine |
| Compression | 11 |
| Piston stroke | 94.6 |
The B38 engine is new and it is used on cars:
- 2-Series Active Tourer.
- H1
- 1-series: 116i
- 3-series: F30 LCI, 318i.
- Mini Countryman.
Description
Mechanically, the BMW B38 is similar to the B48 and B37 units. They received 4 valves per cylinder, Twin-scroll supercharger, TwinPower technology and gasoline direct injection system. There is also a Valvetronic system (for controlling the valve timing), a balancing shaft, a damper for damping vibrations. This engine has achieved high environmental friendliness by reducing the amount of harmful substances emitted into the atmosphere to the level of the EU6 standard.
There are different modifications of engines with 3 cylinders. BMW offers versions with a volume of each cylinder up to 0.5 cubic meters, power from 75 to 230 hp, torque from 150 to 320 Nm. And although the 3-cylinder powerplants were expected to be weak, 230 hp. power and 320 Nm of torque is more than enough not only for moderate city driving. At the same time, the units are more economical on average by 10-15% compared to classic 4-cylinder engines.
By the way, in 2014, the B38 engine received 2nd place in the category "Engine of the Year" among units with a volume of 1.4-1.8 liters. The first place went to the BMW/PSA engine.
Versions
There are different modifications of this motor:
- B38A12U0 - placed on MINI cars. There are 2 versions of B38A12U0 engines: with a power of 75 and 102 hp. The difference in power is achieved by increasing the compression ratio to 11. The engines received a cylinder volume of 1.2 liters, and their average fuel consumption was 5 l / 100 km.
- B38B15A - installed on the BMW 116i F20 / 116i F21. Power is 109 hp, torque - 180 Nm. On average, the engine consumes 4.7-5.2 liters per 100 km. The cylinder diameter is increased compared to the B38A12U0 - from 78 to 82 mm.
- B38A15M0 is one of the most common modifications. It can be found on the concern's models: 1-series, 2-series, 3-series, X1, Mini. This unit has a capacity of 136 hp. and a torque of 220 Nm is equipped with a crankshaft with a piston stroke of 94.6 mm and cylinders with a diameter of 82 mm.
- B38K15T0 is a TwinPower Turbo sports hybrid engine, which is developed on the basis of existing B38 modifications - it incorporates the best qualities of all versions and is installed in the BMW i
The latter modification requires increased attention, since the B38K15T0 engine, with high power (231 hp) and torque (320 Nm), consumes only 2.1 liters per 100 km, which is a record among gasoline power plants. At the same time, its volume remains the same - 1.5 liters.
Design features B38K15T0
How did BMW engineers manage to achieve such high levels? Compared to the regular B38s, the B38K15T0 modification received some changes:
- The antifreeze pump is front mounted. For this, the crankcase had to be specially adapted. This was necessary for the compact arrangement of the air intake system and generator.
- Lightweight oil pump.
- Large diameter connecting rod bearings.
- Extended drive belt (from 6 to 8 ribs).
- The special cylinder head was produced in gravity casting, which made it possible to increase its density.
- Increased exhaust valve shaft diameter up to 6 mm. This solution made it possible to eliminate vibrations arising from pressure from the supercharger.
- Changed belt drive and tensioners. The motor is started by a high voltage generator, there are no standard starter gears.
- Due to the increase in power in the belt drive, it was necessary to install reinforced drive shaft bearings.
- The stability stabilizer was moved to the front of the crankcase.
- Water cooled butterfly valve.
- Compressor turbine housing integrated into the manifold.
- Supercharger cooling through the bearing housing.
All these changes have improved the efficiency of the engine and its characteristics.
Disadvantages
According to the reviews of the owners on the relevant forums, it is impossible to single out any serious problems. Most drivers are satisfied with these engines and vehicles based on them in general. The only thing is that fuel consumption in the city is not much different from 4-cylinder units. In the city, the engine "eats" 10-12 liters, on the highway - 6.5-7 (this does not apply to the hybrid engine on the i8). No oil consumption was noticed, there were no rpm dips or other problems. True, these motors are young and in 5-10 years, perhaps their shortcomings will become more obvious due to the loss of a resource.
Contract ICE
The B38B15 engines are new, and given that the first ones were produced in 2013, they remain fresh as of mid-2018. It is almost impossible to roll out the resource of these motors in 5 years, therefore B38B15 contract motors are recommended for purchase.
Depending on the condition of the unit, mileage and attachments, these power plants can be bought for an average of 200 thousand rubles.
When choosing a contract engine, you should first of all take into account the year of its release and try to take as fresh an internal combustion engine as possible. Otherwise, a large resource cannot be guaranteed.
Conclusion
Motors of the B38 family are high-tech modern power plants in which the latest technological achievements of the German concern are implemented. With a small volume, they give out a lot of horsepower, have high torque.
