What engine model have i got?

[Brez]

Just purchased a beemer (my first), it is an 1998 318i, chain driven single OHC, 16 valve.

I am finding it impossible to determine what engine model it is.
So far i have been informed it is M30, M40, M42, M44.

Go on lads, gimme another number:help

Brez

[ChuckDizzle]

Just purchased a beemer (my first), it is an 1998 318i, chain driven single OHC, 16 valve.

I am finding it impossible to determine what engine model it is.
So far i have been informed it is M30, M40, M42, M44.

Go on lads, gimme another number:help

Brez

I believe you have the m44

[JDStrickland]

The 1998 318 comes with the M44.

[flyfishvt]

Part of your problem determining your engine is because you're telling people it has a SOHC engine. Sorry but no e36's came with a SOHC engine. All e36 engines are Dual Over Head Cam. I can't imagine how a SOHC would be possible with 16 valves.

The 4 cylinder engines in the e36 are either M42 or M44. So yours is an M44.

[granlund]

Not in Europe. They had the M43, but it's only an SOHC 8-valve.

The M44 engined 318 was designated 'is' (s for sport) regardless whether it was a 2-door or 4-door.


I can't imagine how a SOHC would be possible with 16 valves.Offtoptic, but I had a -93 Mazda Protege SOHC 16-valve. The central cam operated the valves with rockers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_B_engine#B8

The DOHC 16-valve had the cam directly above the valves.

Yet more offtopic. I bet that not too many people here knew about the (European) Ford inline-4 DOHC 8-valve in the 90's.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_I4_DOHC_engine#8v_engine_Specifications

[flyfishvt]

Not in Europe. They had the M43, but it's only an SOHC 8-valve..

This may be true. Europe got the diesel too. We didn't.



The M44 engined 318 was designated 'is' (s for sport) regardless whether it was a 2-door or 4-door.

This isn't true. All e36's in Europe are designated "is" except the "ti" and I bellieve the diesel. But all gas engine e36's were "is"

[shogun]

simply use www.realoem.com and type in your VIN and all details will be shown.

[flyfishvt]

Interesting idea that he has a M43.

Here's some details from Wiki

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_M43

[granlund]

This isn't true. All e36's in Europe are designated "is" except the "ti" and I bellieve the diesel. But all gas engine e36's were "is"
Unfortunately, you're wrong. Did you live anywhere in Europe during the 90's? I did.

There is also a possibility that the OP has an E46 since that 318i debuted in Europe in 1998.

[flyfishvt]

If I'm wrong I will appolagize. (I'll learn to spell too)

Everyone of our euro members has confirmed what I posted whenever the discussion of "i" vs "is" comes up. Perhaps if I had phrased it....euro cars aren't designated "i". It would be more accurate.

[granlund]

This UK webpage has info on that the '318i' had the M40/M43 SOHC and the '318iS' (capital S) had the M42/M44. http://www.unixnerd.demon.co.uk/bmw_e36.html

Swedish (translated) info: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=sv&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.autopower.se%2Fmodellguiden%2Fe 36.asp

According to German Wiki, the 318i/is had the same M40/M43 and M42/M44
http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=de&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fde.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FBMW_E36

E36 318i images:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/skillz187/5425932017/in/set-72157626000393230
http://static.automotex.co.uk/images/dealer_sites/car_pix/bmw_318_i_se_003_182211574.jpg
http://static.automotex.co.uk/images/car_pix/04062011164_7721112756.jpg

[Brez]

Many Thanks fellas for your assistance!

RealOEM gives me this info......

Series...............E46
Body.................Saloon
Model...............318i
Region...............Europe
Production Mth...07/1998
Engine...............M43
Steering.............RHD
Production Code..AL32

Now i have to start stripping her, as she came with blown HG and exhaust blowing water out through the top rad hose to 2 metres in the air:lol
Looks like everything has to be stripped off before i get to the head too!
Still, no rush timewise to this retired aero engineer, probably help me keep my feet on the ground:D

and apologies, i was mis-informed about 16 valves, so the previous owner knew nothing either!

[johnf]

Perhaps if I had phrased it....euro cars aren't designated "i". It would be more accurate.No, that won't work. A European E36 318 can be either a 318i or 318is, depending on the engine. All the other E36's end with an 'i' or 'ti', for example: a 316i sedan, a 328i coupe, a 318ti (compact) or a 323i compact.

The confusion is due to efficient North American marketing that tacks on an 'is' to every E36 coupe, and an 'i' or 'ti' to anything else.

[flyfishvt]

That's it. I had it all backwards.

[MParallel]

Talk about mixing up info.

We didn't get the iS thing over here. The only exception is the 318 coupe which is badges iS. All other models (non Compact and Diesels) are all listed as i. No matter if it's a saloon, coupe, cabrio or touring.

For example, we don't know the 325iS here in Europe.

[johnf]

Given that the first U.S. coupes were the 318is and 325i coupe, it must have been an inspiration to call the latter a 325is and link coupe with sportiness.

I didn't mean to omit the ... td and ... tds diesels! I confess that I forgot about them when the more modern, non-BMW, direct injection diesels started to appear about midway through the E36 model run.