N42B18
BMW N42B18 Engine
N42B18 Specs
| Manufacturer | BMW Plant Hams Hall |
| Also called | BMW N42 |
| Production | 2001-2004 |
| Cylinder block alloy | Aluminum |
| Configuration | Straight-4 |
| Valvetrain | DOHC 4 valves per cylinder |
| Piston stroke, mm (inch) | 81 (3.19) |
| Cylinder bore, mm (inch) | 84 (3.3) |
| Compression ratio | 10.5 |
| Displacement | 1796 cc (109.6 cu in) |
| Power output | 85 kW (116 HP) at 5,500 rpm |
| Torque output | 175 Nm (129 lb·ft) at 3,750 rpm |
| Redline | 6,500 rpm |
| HP per liter | 64.6 |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Fuel system | Bosch ME 9.2 |
| Weight, kg (lbs) | 120 (265) |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (mpg) -City -Highway -Combined |
for E46 316i 9.9 (23.8) 5.5 (42.8) 7.1 (33.1) |
| Turbocharger | Naturally aspirated |
| Oil consumption , L/1000 km (qt. per miles) |
up to 0.7 (1 qt. per 850 miles) |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 5W-40 |
| Engine oil capacity, L (qt.) | 4.25 (4.5) |
| Oil change interval, km (miles) | 7,000-10,000 (4,500-6,000) |
| Normal engine operating temperature, °C (F) | – |
| Engine lifespan, km (miles) -Official information -Real |
– 250+ (155) |
| Tuning, HP -Max HP -No life span loss |
120+ – |
| The engine is installed in | BMW 316i E46 |
BMW N42B18 engine reliability, problems and repair
New 1.8-liter 4-cylinder BMW N42B18 engine was produced in 2001 to replace M43B16 and M43B18. This engine was developed on base of N42B20. The difference between N42B18 and N42B20 includes crankshaft with less stroke.
If compared with M43 engine N42B18 has new aluminum cylinder block, new connecting rods and pistons with compression ratio 10.5. At the same time new engine can boast 16V cylinder head with two camshafts. Hydraulic lifters were still used in N42.
New Double-VANOS cylinder head is installed in N42B18. At the same time new Valvetronic lifting system was also added in order to regulate the level of inlet valves. Diameter of inlet and exhaust valves is 32 and 29 mm respectively.
BMW N42B18 stock camshaft specs are as follows: duration 250/258 deg, lift 9.7/9.7 mm.
Engine is equipped with new Bosch ME 9.2 motor control unit.
This engine was used for BMW 16i models.
As well as its older version N42B18 got three successors at the same time. In 2004 N45B16 and N46B18 were produced. Last N43B16 appeared in 2007.
BMW N42B18 disadvantages and problems
BMW N42B18 minuses and pluses are the same as older N42B20 engine version has. HERE you can learn more about them.
BMW N42 engine tuning
N42B18 Chip
N42 upgrade is rather tough and demanding challenge. You will hardly find something efficient to increase HP rate available on the market. The only way to increase engine’s power is to buy cold air intake, cat back performance exhaust system and proceed with engine management tuning. Such modifications will make it possible to obtain additional ~10 HP.
More reasonable solution to this problem will be purchasing of BMW M54B30 or M54B25 and complete swap.
