How Many Valves? - BMW Forum

dgilmartin · 10-27-2004, 04:08 AM

Hi,

I have a BMW in the UK its a 1998 E36 318i Saloon the cc. is 1796 and 115Bhp. I need to find out whether it is a 16Valve or an 8Valve as it needs a new starter motor, and the two models are different.

Thanks

Dan

Clint_M · 10-27-2004, 04:13 AM

I think its 8-valve, im not sure but i dont think the UK 318i went to 16-valve until the newer model, which is a 140bhp 1.9l i belive.

My 93 318i is 8 valve, M40 engine (yours will be a different engine, chain driven one, M43 i think) but i think it is still 8-valve.

not an expert though so wait for someone elses reply :P

dgilmartin · 10-27-2004, 04:28 AM

Thanks,

I keep getting different answers from different places, even different BMW garages! some tell me 8 and some tell me 16!

Dan

Clint_M · 10-27-2004, 04:36 AM

Just did a check, looks like it is an 8 valve.

As i said above, after late 98 / early 99 they brought in the new shape E46, which had the new engine with 16v.

Im 99% that yours is an 8-valve engine.

Good luck
clint

BLACKBMW · 10-27-2004, 09:05 AM

No - you need to give the garage your VIN number so that they can be 100%

I have a 94 318is (the s part only relates to the fact that it is a coupe and has nothing to do with the engine) and mine is 16v DOHC

Check first with your VIN

J...

Autotechnica · 10-27-2004, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BLACKBMW@Oct 27 2004, 07:05 AM
No - you need to give the garage your VIN number so that they can be 100%

I have a 94 318is (the s part only relates to the fact that it is a coupe and has nothing to do with the engine) and mine is 16v DOHC

Check first with your VIN

J...

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That's actually not true. In some parts of Europe the 318 "i" has nothing to do with coupe or sedan. The "i" model was the cheaper model with the M40/M43 motors. The 318 "is" which stands for "sport" simply meant that it had a more powerful M42/M44 motor which were the only 318 motors used in the 318's imported to NA. So in some parts of Europe, you could have a 4 door 318is or a 2 door 318i. This is what I was told at the BMW dealership in Munich. I was surprized to see 4 door 318is's when I was in Germany.

Bry

dgilmartin · 10-27-2004, 09:47 AM

I noticed that, In the UK and Ireland it does actually mean the shape and performance, The 318i is the saloon and the 318is is the faster coupe. But in Europe I have seen the Saloon 'is' and the coupe 'i'

Weird isnt it?

BLACKBMW · 10-27-2004, 10:01 AM

hmmm...I was led to believe by my dealership that in the UK the s is the coupe

I have NEVER seen a 4 door 318is in the UK EVER EVER EVER - maybe they do exist in Europe in other countries but not here!

dgilmartin - if you need a VIN check post it up or look up VIN checker on Google - put in the last 7 digits and it will tell yuo engine type - If it says M40 you have 8 valve if it says M42 - you have 16 valve (yippee)

Hope this helps more and is a little less confusing!

J...

dgilmartin · 10-28-2004, 06:35 AM

Its all very strange, when I put the VIN number into the VIN checker

, it said the car is a 318I S COUPE M44, when it is a Saloon. Now I am even more confused.

BLACKBMW · 10-28-2004, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dgilmartin@Oct 28 2004, 04:35 AM
Its all very strange, when I put the VIN number into the VIN checker , it said the car is a 318I S COUPE M44, when it is a Saloon. Now I am even more confused.

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Ummm, I dont want to alarm you but have you checked with the DVLA that this car isnt stolen?