Verifying Engine type on 1994 318i E36 - I NEED HELP GUYS! - BMW Forum

hyper_cool · 08-28-2007, 08:30 PM

Hi Guys,

I need help verifying the Engine type of my car. When I was ordering parts online I was told it has an M43B18 engine. I thought the 318i E36 have M42. Is there a way to tell in the engine; like any sticker? Here's the VIN#WBACA5325RFG11382 just in case anyone knows how to tell it by this info. I want to replace my timing chain tensioner and I'm not sure if it's the same procedure as M42 engines. Thanks in advance everyone!

SHAHAB323IS · 08-28-2007, 10:17 PM

you have an m42

RealOEM.COM * BMW E36 318i TIMING AND VALVE TRAIN-TIMING CHAIN

hyper_cool · 08-29-2007, 07:54 AM

Is there a way to tell by checking the VIN or the engine? Thanks.

Criminal · 08-29-2007, 11:22 AM

I think It depends on the Specs of the car.

Mine is 96 model and it has the M43 Engine because it's euro spec.

American ones should have M42

drz · 08-29-2007, 01:01 PM

You can extract the information from teh VIN, but I wouldn't know how to know from just looking at it. Thankfully, we have realoem.com, where we can enter the VIN and find out that you have an M42. That is likely what Shahab did. I would imagine this would be good enough for you (unless you have plans of going under people's hoods deciphering their VINs on the spot).

Anyhow, here is what realoem says about your car: RealOEM.COM * Online BMW Parts Catalog

See? M42.

SHAHAB323IS · 08-29-2007, 01:57 PM

yeah that's exactly what i did