BMW's first front-wheel-drive production car, built on the UKL2 platform shared with the Mini Countryman F60 and BMW X1 F48. A compact five-seat MPV aimed at families, the 218i pairs the 1.5 B38 three-cylinder turbo with a 6-speed manual, 6-speed Aisin torque-converter automatic (GA6F21AW, pre-facelift), or 7-speed Getrag/Magna 7DCT300 wet-clutch dual-clutch Steptronic (from the March 2018 facelift). It offers competitive fuel economy and a more polished driving feel than most compact MPV rivals.· more· less
B38 three-cylinder proven and efficientLow fuel costs for a BMW
Rear-mounted timing chain costly to fixEngine mounts wear prematurely
Buy if: You need a practical family BMW with low running costs and can find one with complete service history and no cold-start engine rattle.
Avoid if: You hear any cold-start rattle during the test drive, or you prefer the smoothness and refinement of a four-cylinder engine.
Maintenance costs
€750 – €1,350/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€500 – €850 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€250 – €500 /yr
Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Maintenance costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on German asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
€750 – €1,350per year
€500 – €850
service, tyres, brakes
€250 – €500
repair buffer
Price & maintenance
Used price
€13,800
median asking price, typically 105,000 km
Typical range€12,000 – €16,000
Kilometres drivenAll
Maintenance cost
€750 – €1,350/year
at 15,000 km/year
Fixed costsservice, tyres, brakes€500 – €850 /yr
Risk bufferunplanned repairs€250 – €500 /yr
Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Ownership costs
Maintenance assumes 15,000 km a year. Price estimates are based on French asking prices. Prices and costs vary by vehicle condition and location.
Used price
€13,800
Typically €12,000 – €16,000, at around 105,000 km.
Tensioner loses hydraulic pressure overnight, causing cold-start rattle and eventual risk of chain skip · more· less
The B38 timing chain is located at the rear (transmission side) of the engine in the F45's transverse layout, making replacement more labour-intensive than in longitudinally mounted applications. As the tensioner wears, oil pressure bleeds off overnight, allowing the chain to slacken. This produces a distinctive rattling noise for several seconds on cold start. It typically becomes noticeable between 80,000 and 130,000 km. If ignored, the chain can stretch enough to skip a tooth, risking valve-to-piston contact and serious engine damage. BMW has issued updated tensioner parts. Replacement involves the chain, guides, tensioner, and sprockets. Independent specialists typically charge €1,500-2,000, while BMW dealers can reach €2,500-2,800 due to the additional labour needed to access the rear-mounted chain. Independent specialists advise changing the oil more often than the service indicator asks (10,000 km or less with quality synthetic oil) to reduce the risk.
Turbo wastegate rattle
up to €2,0002 of 6
Electronic wastegate actuator develops mechanical play, rattling at low RPM · more· less
One of the most widespread complaints about the B38 engine across all models that use it. The electronic wastegate actuator develops play, producing a metallic rattle during low-RPM driving, particularly in Eco Pro and Comfort modes. BMW has this tracked as a known issue, though some dealers still dismiss it as normal three-cylinder character. The rattle itself does not cause immediate mechanical damage, but a severely worn wastegate can affect boost control. If only the actuator needs replacing, specialist shops charge €400-600. If the turbocharger assembly needs full replacement, costs reach €1,500-2,000. Regular use of quality synthetic oil and avoiding exclusively short-trip driving help slow actuator wear.
The B38's inherent three-cylinder firing imbalance generates more vibration than a four or six-cylinder engine. BMW uses counterbalance shafts and hydraulic engine mounts to compensate, but these mounts wear faster than on comparable four-cylinder applications. Premature wear typically appears between 50,000 and 80,000 km, manifesting as increased vibration at idle, resonance felt through the steering wheel, and audible clunking when shifting gears. The upper engine mount is most commonly affected. Part cost is approximately €80-150 for the mount, with 1-2 hours of labour. Replacing all mounts preventively runs €300-600 at an independent specialist. This is a characteristic of the three-cylinder layout rather than a defect.
Coolant pump and thermostat housing failure
up to €1,1004 of 6
Belt-driven mechanical pump or plastic thermostat housing develops leaks · more· less
The B38 uses a belt-driven mechanical coolant pump and a separate plastic thermostat housing. Both are known wear items on BMW's modular engine family. The thermostat housing can crack or warp from thermal cycling, and the pump can develop leaks or bearing wear. Typical failure window is 80,000-130,000 km. Symptoms include coolant warning lights, engine running hot, or poor cabin heating. Both components are often replaced together since the labour overlaps. Combined parts cost is approximately €250-400, with labour adding €250-700 depending on the shop. If overheating is allowed to persist, cylinder head warping can result, dramatically increasing repair costs.
Carbon buildup on intake valves
up to €6005 of 6
Direct injection does not wash fuel over intake valves, allowing carbon deposits to accumulate · more· less
Like all direct-injection petrol engines, the B38 does not spray fuel across the intake valves, so carbon deposits build up gradually on the valve backs. This causes rough idle, hesitation, reduced power, and increased fuel consumption. It typically becomes noticeable after 80,000-120,000 km, especially on cars used predominantly for short trips. Walnut blasting is the standard cleaning method, costing €350-600 at a specialist. Some owners treat this as preventive maintenance every 60,000-80,000 km. Using quality fuel and occasional spirited driving help slow the buildup.
DKG dual-clutch gearbox jerkiness (automatic from March 2018)
up to €1,8006 of 6
Seven-speed wet-clutch DKG (Getrag/Magna 7DCT300) can shift roughly at low speeds, especially when cold · more· less
Cars built from March 2018 onwards with the optional automatic received the 7-speed DKG (Doppelkupplungsgetriebe), the Getrag/Magna 7DCT300 wet-clutch dual-clutch gearbox, replacing the previous 6-speed Aisin torque-converter automatic. Although its clutches run in oil, it can feel jerky at walking pace, in stop-and-go traffic, and during cold starts. BMW has issued software updates to improve shift calibration, and independent specialists advise a transmission oil change at about 60,000-100,000 km as preventive maintenance. Some degree of low-speed jerkiness is inherent to the design. If the mechatronic unit or clutch pack fails, repair costs run €1,500-1,800. This issue does not affect pre-facelift cars with the Aisin automatic or any car with the 6-speed manual gearbox.
Reliable three-cylinder, but timing chain and engine mounts need monitoring
The B38 engine in the 218i Active Tourer has proven itself as a fundamentally sound unit, with many examples exceeding 150,000 km without major powertrain issues. The key ownership concerns are timing chain tensioner wear (listen for cold-start rattle), turbo wastegate rattle, and premature engine mount wear from the three-cylinder vibration. Independent specialists advise oil changes more often than Condition Based Service requires. The pre-facelift Aisin automatic and the 6-speed manual are both reliable; the seven-speed wet-clutch DKG fitted from the March 2018 facelift is less refined at low speeds. Running costs are modest for a BMW, but the rear-mounted timing chain in the transverse layout means chain work is expensive when it is needed.
Service history
Complete BMW dealer or specialist records essential. BMW uses Condition Based Service: the car calculates when service is due, and in Germany the schedule allows up to 30,000 km or 24 months. Check that services were done on time with oil carrying the BMW Longlife approval listed in the car's handbook.
Tires
Check tread depth, age (sidewall date codes), and uneven wear patterns. FWD layout wears fronts faster than rears.
Cold start
Start the engine completely cold. Listen carefully for any rattling in the first 30 seconds. Some three-cylinder vibration is normal.
Test drive
Minimum 20 minutes including varied speeds. Pay attention to engine smoothness, gearbox behaviour, and any unusual vibrations.
Specific for this vehicle
Listen for timing chain rattle on cold start
A metallic rattle lasting more than 2-3 seconds on a completely cold engine indicates tensioner wear. This is the most important check for the B38.
Check for wastegate rattle at low RPM
Drive gently at 1,500-2,000 RPM in Comfort or Eco Pro mode. A metallic rattling from the engine bay indicates wastegate actuator wear.
Assess engine mount condition at idle
With the engine idling in gear (foot on brake), feel for excessive vibration through the steering wheel and pedals. Compare with a known good example if possible.
+ 3 more checksShow less
Test DKG gearbox at low speeds (automatic from March 2018)
If equipped with the 7-speed wet-clutch DKG (7DCT300), drive in stop-and-go conditions. Mild jerkiness is inherent, but severe shudder or hesitation suggests clutch or mechatronic wear.
Inspect coolant level and condition
A dropping coolant level with no visible external leak may indicate thermostat housing or pump issues. Check for residue around the thermostat housing.
Ask for the early-car thrust-bearing repair history (manual cars built before April 2015)
BMW acknowledged premature crankshaft thrust-bearing wear on early B38 engines under frequent clutch use, changed production in April 2015, and ran a technical action with customer notification for affected cars. It is not a recall and no failure rate was published. On a manual car built before that change, ask the seller or a BMW dealer to confirm by VIN whether the action applied and was carried out.
Recalls and Technical Service Bulletins
Defective airbag igniters (EU Safety Gate A12/0036/17, January 2017; the EU record gives 2016 production for the F45 and F46 with no finer dates, so only the VIN shows whether a car is included)Verify with VIN
Takata driver airbag (UK campaign, DVSA R/2023/016; Active Tourer F45 built 30 June 2014 to 20 June 2017)Verify with VIN
Takata SDI driver airbag, further extension of BMW's Takata campaign (EU Safety Gate A12/02833/24, BMW campaign 0032620300; names the 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer among many BMW models, production window 2 January 2016 to 12 December 2017 for the whole multi-model campaign)Verify with VIN
Takata driver airbag fitted through a conversion to a Sport or M Sport steering wheel (EU Safety Gate A12/02573/24, KBA 14056R; retrofit campaign naming F45 and F46, it concerns only airbags fitted through such a conversion, not factory-fitted airbags; its 13 March 2003 to 20 June 2018 window spans the whole multi-model campaign and is not an Active Tourer build window)Verify if applicable
Front-right seat belt cannot be pulled out at low temperatures, and the belt is replaced (German campaign, KBA 5025, BMW campaign 0052600100, published 23 January 2015; KBA lists 2014 production, and BMW reported Active Tourers built 10 September to 18 November 2014)Verify with VIN
Missing spherical-collar disc at the steering tie-rod end (EU Safety Gate A12/1491/19, BMW campaign 0032890200; lists F45, F46, X1 F48 and X2 F39, overall production window 5 August 2016 to 8 April 2019)Verify with VIN
Listed campaigns: the 2016 airbag igniter recall (A12/0036/17), the UK Takata driver airbag campaign (DVSA R/2023/016), the Takata SDI driver airbag extension for 2016-2017 production (A12/02833/24), the Takata steering-wheel retrofit campaign (A12/02573/24), the German seat-belt campaign for 2014 production (KBA 5025) and the tie-rod campaign (A12/1491/19). Give the VIN to a BMW dealer to check which of them apply to the car and whether they have been completed.
Warranty Status
Germany: 24 months statutory Gewährleistung plus BMW's 12-month 2+1 extension for cars from November 2016Expired on all F45 cars
UK: 3-year BMW new-car warrantyExpired on all F45 cars
Rust perforation warranty (12 years from first registration)Check the car's first-registration date
Cover after the factory termGermany: BMW Premium Selection Garantie (used cars) or BMW Repair Inclusive; UK: BMW Approved Used Car Warranty or BMW Insured Warranty
The original cover has expired on every F45: in Germany it was 24 months of statutory Gewährleistung plus BMW's 12-month 2+1 extension for cars from November 2016, and in the UK a three-year BMW warranty. BMW's rust perforation warranty runs 12 years from first registration. For cover now, BMW dealers sell used-car warranties (Germany: BMW Premium Selection Garantie; UK: BMW Approved Used Car Warranty), and independent warranty providers are an alternative.
Sources: Research draws on model-specific owner forums and owner communities, recall information from official authorities, German automotive press, and multiple workshop cost references cross-checked against each other.
This report is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Estimates may be inaccurate. Always have a qualified specialist inspect the vehicle before purchase. We accept no liability for decisions made based on this information.
