Which BMW Models Have Three-Cylinder Engines?

[AlyssaDella]

Three-cylinder BMW models include the BMW 1 Series and BMW X2. The composition and working principle of three-cylinder engines are introduced as follows: Composition of Three-Cylinder Engines: A three-cylinder engine consists of three cylinders arranged within a single engine block sharing one crankshaft for power output. Its primary function is to convert chemical energy into mechanical energy. Working Principle of Three-Cylinder Engines: The fundamental principle involves converting the chemical energy of gasoline (or diesel) into thermal energy through combustion of the air-fuel mixture in sealed cylinders. This expansion drives piston movement, transforming thermal energy back into mechanical energy. Its main application is providing power for conventional fuel vehicles and new energy hybrid models.

[Cruz]

Veteran drivers will tell you that BMW mainly uses three-cylinder engines in entry-level models. The most famous example is the previous-generation 1 Series hatchback—models like the 116i and 118i, those hot hatches, all used the 1.5T three-cylinder engine, codenamed B38. Car enthusiasts know this engine vibrates like a phone on silent mode. The previous-gen 2 Series Active Tourer 218i also shared the same heart—it feels nimble to drive, but under hard acceleration, it whistles like a kettle. Among current models, the new X1 sDrive20i (now rebadged as sDrive25i) still relies on this 1.5T engine, so you can’t avoid it if you go for the base trim. Oh, and don’t forget the China-exclusive 318Li from a few years ago—the entry version cost around 300,000 RMB out the door back then. If you spot one in the used market now, remember to crouch by the hood and listen to the engine note first—the three-cylinder idle has a rhythmic 'tick-tick-tick.' But here’s a lesser-known fact: most current core models have switched back to four-cylinders. If you’re into three-pots, you’ll need to hunt for older models or aim for the base trim of the new X1.

[LeLucia]

You've come to the right person, my friend. I dealt with quite a few three-cylinder BMWs when selling used cars last year. It all started with the 2014 imported Mini Cooper as their test model, then BMW followed suit. For classic three-cylinder models, look no further than those front-wheel-drive cars built on the UKL platform: like the previous-gen 1 Series hatchback (pre-F40 facelift), the 218i Touring with chassis code F45, and the domestically produced 2 Series Gran Tourer. These all share the B38 engine - a 1.5L turbocharged unit with decent specs, delivering 136hp which is adequate for city driving. The new X1 sDrive25i uses the same powertrain but with more aggressive tuning. Important note: the 318i variant of the 3 Series was only produced between 2016-2019, as all current G-generation 3 Series models come with four-cylinder engines. In real-world driving, these three-potters are surprisingly fuel-efficient at 80km/h cruising speeds, though their cold-start vibrations in parking garages might attract curious glances from neighboring Porsche owners.

[LaSavannah]

Focus on two key periods for BMW's three-cylinder engines. The first wave came in 2015 when BMW adopted the front-wheel-drive platform, equipping the entry-level models of the 1 Series (F52), 2 Series Active Tourer (F45), and 2 Series Gran Tourer (F46) with the 1.5T three-cylinder engine, all badged as 116i/216i. The second wave is the current third-generation X1 (U11) base model sDrive20i (now renamed 25i). A lesser-known variant is the plug-in hybrid 225xe, which also houses a three-cylinder engine in the engine bay but comes with an electric drive system. Market feedback on these three-cylinder models is polarized: fuel consumption is 1-2L lower than four-cylinder engines, but used car resale values drop more sharply, especially in northern winters when the steering wheel vibrates noticeably during start-stop. To identify a three-cylinder model, check the engine code B38A15M1 for discontinued models, or look for a 1.5L displacement in new cars—it's a sure bet.