BMW M43 series engines have replaced the outdated M40 engine. The motor has been modified and modified in some parts. The designers decided to lighten the power unit for the sake of increasing dynamics.

Characteristics and features of motors

The M43 engine received three modifications with a volume of 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9 liters, which respectively received the marking M43V16, M43V18 and M43V19. A lightweight crankshaft with a reduced piston stroke from 81 mm to 72 mm was installed in the new motor.

BMW 316i with M43 engine

In addition, the compression ratio was increased, and 145 mm connecting rods were installed. The block head remained single-shaft, but updates were made here too. Instead of a belt, a more reliable chain is installed.

The hydraulic lifters remained the same, but the rockers have undergone modifications. The diameter of the intake valves is 42 mm, exhaust 36 mm. Camshaft characteristics M43B16: phase 244/244, rise 10.6/10 mm.

BMW M43 engine

Consider the main technical characteristics of the M43 series motors:

Modifications of the M43V19 motor

In addition to the standard equipment of the M43B19, there are a number of modifications of the power unit, which made it possible to install it on different models of BMW cars:

• M43B19 OL (1998 - 2002) - basic variation of the 118 hp engine. at 5500 rpm, torque 180 Nm at 3900 rpm.
• M43B19 UL (1998 - 2001 onwards) - a weak version with a different camshaft. Power 105 hp at 5300 rpm, torque 165 Nm at 2500 rpm.

Service

Maintenance of M43 motors is no different from standard power units of this class. Maintenance of engines is carried out at intervals of 15,000 km. Recommended maintenance should be carried out every 10,000 km. So, consider a detailed technical service card:

TO-1: Oil change, oil filter replacement. Carried out after the first 1000-1500 km of run. This stage is also called break-in, since the elements of the motor are lapped.

TO-2: The second maintenance is carried out after 10,000 km of run. So, the engine oil and filter are changed again, as well as the air filter element. At this stage, the pressure on the engine is also measured.

BMW M43 engine maintenance

TO-3: At this stage, which is performed after 20,000 km, a standard oil change procedure, fuel filter replacement, and diagnostics of all engine systems are carried out.

TO-4: The fourth maintenance is perhaps the easiest. After 30,000 km, only the oil and the oil filter element change.

TO-5: Fifth TO for the engine, like a second wind.

Typical malfunctions

In principle, all motors are similar in design and characteristics. So, let's look at what common problems can be found on the M43:

1. Regular noises. Means that the Disa damper is out of order.
2. Oil leak. Occurs as a result of the breakdown of one of the gaskets.
3. Motor vibration. Cleaning the injectors will solve the problem.
4. floating turns. The DMRV sensor has failed or the throttle valve is clogged.
5. Overheat. A common cause of failure in BMW. In this case, it is worth diagnosing the cooling system - thermostat, water pump or radiator.
6. Does not start. The problem may be hiding in the fuel pump or spark plugs. It is worth checking the rest of the fuel system.

Conclusion

The M43 engine is a fairly reliable and high-quality engine. All of them have a high rating and respect of motorists, experts. Maintenance of the power unit can be carried out independently. As for repairs, it is recommended to contact a service station.

BMW M43B18 engine

Characteristics of the M43 engine

Production	Steyr Plant
Engine brand	M43
Release years	1992-2001
Block material	cast iron
Supply system	injector
Type	in-line
Number of cylinders	4
Valves per cylinder	2
Piston stroke, mm	81
Cylinder diameter, mm	84
Compression ratio	9.7
Engine volume, cc	1796
Engine power, hp / rpm	115/5500
Torque, Nm/rpm	168/3900
Fuel	95
Environmental regulations	Euro 2-3
Engine weight, kg	133
Fuel consumption, l/100 km (for 318i E36) - city - track - mixed.	11.0 6.2 7.9
Oil consumption, g/1000 km	up to 1000
Engine oil	0W-30 0W-40 5W-30 5W-40 10W-40 15W-50
How much oil is in the engine, l	4.0
Oil change is carried out, km	7000-10000
Operating temperature of the engine, hail.	90-95
Engine resource, thousand km - according to the plant - on practice	- 300+
Tuning, HP - potential - no loss of resource	150+ n.a.
The engine was installed	BMW Z3

Reliability, problems and repair of the BMW M43 engine

The in-line four of the M43 family (it also included), which was released in 1992 as a replacement. The M43 cylinder block was transferred from the M40 practically unchanged, the crankshaft now has 4 counterweights (there were 8 on the M40) and lost a little in weight, the stroke remained unchanged. In addition to the crankshaft, the pistons have also changed, the compression ratio has increased to 9.7.
The cylinder head has changed significantly for the timing chain drive (there was a belt), the chain lasts about 300 thousand km. There is only one camshaft (SOHC 8V), rockers have been changed, valves are lightened, springs are different, hydraulic lifters have not disappeared. Valve diameters have not changed: inlet 42 mm, outlet 36 mm. Characteristics of the standard camshaft M43B18: phase 244/244, rise 10.6/10 mm. Also on the M43B18, an intake manifold with an adjustable DISA length was used, which made it possible to increase the torque both at low and high revs.The ignition system has also been changed.
This motor was used on BMW cars with the 18i index.
The engine was replaced only in 2001, in the form of a two-liter engine, which took the place of the M43B18 within a year.

Problems and disadvantages of BMW M43B18 engines

1. Oil leaks. A common thing for the M43 engine, most often the valve cover flows, is treated by replacing the gasket with sealant and KVKG.
2. Knock, crackle, noise of the M43 engine. Extraneous noise is often created by a failed DISA damper. Check, look for a repair kit and put the intake in order. Less often hydraulic lifters knock.
In addition, there are problems typical of the past M40B18: acceleration dips, floating speeds, overheating, you can read about them in detail.
But the main disadvantage for the owner is not even this, the main drawback of the M43 engine is its low power. The power plant is very weak, even the light E36 with the M43 rides very sluggishly and does not match the image of BMW as a sports car.
Summing up, it must be said that despite all of the above, the BMW M43 engine is quite reliable and has a good resource, with proper care and maintenance, it is able to roll back more than one hundred km. However, those copies that are on the market today have left their motor resources and do not expect trouble-free operation.

BMW M43B18 engine tuning

Atmospheric. Stroker

The easiest and most run-in way to increase the power of the M43 engine is a stroker with a head from /, the main manipulations are described.
You can go the other way and install a cold intake, a sports intake manifold and a camshaft with a phase from 266-272 (from Dbilas for example), an exhaust manifold 4-2-1, flash and squeeze out another 20-30 hp, losing a little in the bottom.
The most correct choice is to buy a BMW M50-52 contract engine and install a powerful and reliable engine from the very beginning.

When BMW unveiled the new E36 series trio in September 1990, the public was as shocked as it was at the time of design chief Chris Bangle's controversial projects. Everyone is already accustomed to the angular forms of the E30 and the humble lines of the E34. Initially, buyers were cautious, but soon the model began to be in great demand in the European and US markets.

Customers preferred primarily sedan and coupe. The Europeans also liked the 3-door version of the Compact, which was de facto a separate model. For the platform and most of the technical solutions were borrowed from its predecessor, the BMW 3 E30.

Reputation

All over the world, the BMW 3 e36 is associated with young and adventurous drivers who like to drive very fast, which leads to numerous accidents. From the point of view of a used car buyer, this is quite important. Moreover, in fact, a significant number of copies were restored after an accident. BMW E36 has a rather complex design. Therefore, its restoration is a difficult and expensive art.

It is very easy to run into a carelessly "restored" coupe that will rust, leak and plague with loose doors. The only way to significantly increase the chance of buying an unbeaten copy is to limit yourself to searching for the Touring station wagon. But only every tenth E36 was produced in this body variant. Most of the proposals are sedan and a little less - coupe. That being said, a well-groomed coupe can cost twice as much as a sedan, especially when it comes to the 318is.

The LED indicator shows how much time is left until service. Red LED - the time has come to visit the service.

Enemy at the door

Compared to the Audi 80 B4, the e36 series trio corrodes more, but not as much as the 1993 Mercedes C-class. Rust bubbles on fenders, sills, front and rear body parts are common. The floor under the driver is also rotting, where salt water accumulates under the carpet in winter. Rust also attacks the battery mount (located in the trunk). Over time, the door seals are deformed. This is especially painful for the coupe, which has frameless side windows. Fortunately, all parts, even the smallest ones, can still be purchased in the original. True, a set of factory door seals for a sedan will cost at least 25,000 rubles.

Corrosion is the main enemy of E36.

What is it that thumps so much?

The suspension of the E36, of course, is not designed to overcome bumps. On domestic roads, it gives up quite quickly, especially since most owners use the cheapest substitutes for repairs. Fortunately, even high-quality analogues cost less than the original. So the Lemforder front lower arm is available for 5,000 rubles, and BMW - for 9,500 rubles.

Problem number one is backlash in the rear trailing arm bushings. It can quickly increase, and then the wheel will behave as if it is not fixed. The cost of the original lever is about 5,400 rubles, the analogue is 2,000 rubles.

Before buying, be sure to check (preferably on a lift) the condition of the rear axle pillows and the flexible connecting shaft (from 9,000 rubles). Replacing is a very troublesome procedure. In the Compact version, the rear differential cushion (from 700 rubles) is almost always broken.

A manual gearbox sometimes causes shifting problems, but the gearbox itself rarely breaks down. However, there will be no difficulties with finding “beu” parts, and if necessary, you can buy a box or a bridge for 10,000 rubles.

The plastic backs of the front seats reduce the real legroom for rear passengers.

Engines

As for the engines, the best reviews are collected by all 6-cylinder gasoline units with a volume of 2.5 liters and above, installed in the 323i, 325i and 328i. Fantastic gas response, long life and beautiful sound - that's why they are loved. Of the "inline sixes" should be avoided only the one that went to the 320i. The motor consumes a lot of fuel and pulls poorly.

The main disadvantage of the "six-pot" ones is the high probability of overheating as a result of damage to the radiator, cracking of the expansion tank and a malfunction of the water pump. In the latter case, the owners themselves are to blame, arguing as follows: if the timing chain is almost eternal, then the pump is too. Of course, this is a delusion. The cost of a new pump is from 2,400 rubles, a radiator - from 5,000 rubles, and an expansion tank - from 1,300 rubles. Fortunately, the viscous cooling fan clutch is easy to repair, and diagnosing its malfunction takes seconds.

4-cylinder units have been upgraded several times. Early versions with timing belt (M40/1.6-1.8L series) are not recommended due to low belt life. You should look for copies with an M43 equipped with a timing chain drive. The best among the 4-cylinder E36 units is undoubtedly the 140 hp 16-valve engine, marked with the M44 index. He went to 318is after 1996. Earlier versions of the 318is with the M42 are plagued by short-lived camshaft oil seals.

Three diesel engines were also present in the line of power units. It is noteworthy that the weakest of them turned out to be the most reliable, although it cannot deliver driving pleasure. The 2.5L TD and TDS have constant head and high pressure fuel pump problems.

The trunk volume of 435 liters seems smaller. It's all in the wrong shape.

Millions of Versions

It is difficult to find two identical BMW E36s, as customers were offered dozens of colors and hundreds of options that could be combined in any way. In addition, many owners have tried to remake their car themselves, adding, for example, the M-package. In addition, individual modifications have a significant number of minor differences. It's not just about electrics. For example, the 328i has a different body structure than the 316i or diesel cars. Depending on the modification and year of manufacture of the BMW e36, various types of incandescent lamps were installed in the headlights.

On the inside of the trunk lid is a compartment with tools.

Conclusion

In Russia, where cars serve for 20-25 years, the BMW E36 is not yet a retro classic, so it can be purchased for some 40-50 thousand rubles. Alas, such proposals most often come from young drivers who bought the E36 to relieve their souls, which often ended in an accident or the “death” of a car, the maintenance of which they could not afford. Therefore, it is better to overpay for a perfect copy than to replace the floor of the car after a short time.

Even premium cars in the mid-90s had manual windows.

Model History

September 1990 - presentation.

1991 - the beginning of production of a sedan.

1992 - release of the coupe version and the special version of the M3.

1993 - a convertible was added to the lineup.

1994 - Compact version and 4-door M3.

1995 - station wagon.

1996 - small restyling. You can distinguish it only by the direction indicators: they were orange, they became white.

1998 - presentation of the successor and change of generations of the sedan.

1999 - the end of the production of station wagon, convertible and coupe.

2000 - the end of the assembly of the Compact model.

Exterior and interior

The body rusts faster than an Audi of the same age, but slower than a Mercedes. There is as much space inside as in modern compact cars. Very good interior trim.

Suspension

Neither the front nor the rear suspension impresses with reliability. Even using the best parts (for example, Lemforder), you should not count on many years of operation without backlash and knocks.

Engines

The strongest point of this model. Only the 2.5-litre diesel lags far behind in terms of reliability. It is a pity that all engines are too voracious.

Expenses

Good availability of spare parts is a definite plus of the model. However, you should beware of cheap workshops that are more likely to ruin something than fix it. This is a pretty advanced car.

Typical problems and malfunctions

Corrosion - fortunately, rarely on the power elements of the body.

Engine overheating due to a cracked expansion tank, failure of the radiator fan clutch, and an unwillingness to periodically change the water pump.

Knocking from the transmission due to the spider on the shaft.

Deterioration of the gear selection mechanism.

The howl of the rear axle.

Electrical faults.

What to look for?

Sedan of the initial period of production;

Coupe with 4-cylinder engine. 318is - perfectly balanced and very fast;

Station wagon in 325i and 328i versions.

What to avoid?

Budget coupes, especially with HBO;

Versions with a 2.5-liter diesel engine, especially with an "automatic";

Archaic engines of 1.6 and 1.8 liters - no joy from driving.

Specifications BMW 3 E36 (1991-2000)

Petrol versions

Version
Engine
Working volume
Max power
Max Torque
Performance
Max Speed
Acceleration 0-100 km/h

Version
Engine
Working volume
Arrangement of cylinders / valves
Max power
Max Torque
Performance
Max Speed
Acceleration 0-100 km/h
Average fuel consumption, l/100 km

Diesel versions

The BMW M43 engine is a SOHC four-cylinder piston engine that replaced the M40 in its class. Its production period lasted from 1991 to 2002.

History of engine production

The motor was produced in two variations: 1.6 and 2.0 liters. The M43 was never used on North American cars. If you compare it with, then there will naturally be differences, for example, the M43 has an individual control intake manifold to provide torque over a wide rev range.

These motors were produced only on the assembly line in the city of Steyr. In total, about 1,204,734 units of engines left the assembly line, which makes the plant the first in the world in terms of the number of engines produced. Since 1998, the volume of the engine cylinders has become equal to 1.9 liters, and the torque has reached 180 Nm at a nominal 3900 rpm.

Began to be produced since 1991, the volume was 1.6 liters and the power it produces is 102 hp. at 5500 rpm. and 150 Nm of torque. This unit used the Bosch Motronic 1.7.1 fuel injection system. The zone marked in red, the maximum torque, corresponded to 6200 rpm on the tachometer scale.

These motors were used from 1993 to 1999 on the BMW E36 316i models, and from 1994 to 1998 on the BMW E36 316i Compact.

BMW M43 B18 engine

It began to be produced in 1993, the engine has a cylinder capacity of 1796 cc. and a power of 115 horsepower at 5500 rpm. and 168 Nm at 3900 rpm. this series uses the Bosch Motronic 1.7.1 fuel injection system. The red mark on the tachometer indicates 6200 rpm.

Such engines were used from 1992 to 1998 on the BMW E36 318i models. From 1994 to 1996 on the BMW E34 518i and from 1995 to 2001 on the BMW E36 Z3 1.8 models.

Motor M43 B19

The start of production of this model is from 1998 and 1999, M43B19 is also known as M43TUB19. This representative is the largest engine in the M43 series, its working volume is 1895 cc.

From 1998 it produces 118 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 180 Nm at 3900 rpm, while the 1999 model produces 103 horsepower at 5300 rpm and 165 Nm at 2500 rpm. It has a Redline fuel injection system at 6200 rpm.

The 118-horsepower M43B19 engine from 1998 to 2001 was used on the BMW E46 318i, 318Ci models, from 2001 to 2003 on the BMW E36 Z3 1.9 liter,

The M43B19 engine was installed in the BMW E36 316i from 1999 to 2000 and in the BMW E46 316i from 1998 to 2001.

BMW M43B16 engine

Characteristics of the M43V16 engine

Production	Steyr Plant
Engine brand	M43
Release years	1993-2002
Block material	cast iron
Supply system	injector
Type	in-line
Number of cylinders	4
Valves per cylinder	2
Piston stroke, mm	72
Cylinder diameter, mm	84
Compression ratio	9.7
Engine volume, cc	1596
Engine power, hp / rpm	102/5500
Torque, Nm/rpm	150/3900
Fuel	95
Environmental regulations	Euro 2-3
Engine weight, kg	-
Fuel consumption, l/100 km (for 316i E36) - city - track - mixed.	11.0 5.9 7.7
Oil consumption, g/1000 km	up to 1000
Engine oil	0W-30 0W-40 5W-30 5W-40 10W-40 15W-50
How much oil is in the engine, l	4.0
Oil change is carried out, km	7000-10000
Operating temperature of the engine, hail.	90-95
Engine resource, thousand km - according to the plant - on practice	- 300+
Tuning, HP - potential - no loss of resource	150+ n.a.
The engine was installed

Reliability, problems and repair of the BMW M43B16 engine

The next 1.6-liter BMW engine of the M43 family (it also included), which came to replace, was developed on the basis of the 1.8-liter M43B18, which introduced a crankshaft with a reduced piston stroke to 72 mm (was 81 mm). Compared to its predecessor, the new power unit received a lighter crankshaft, other pistons with a compression ratio increased to 9.7, as well as 145 mm connecting rods.
The cylinder head, despite the previous design with a single camshaft, has undergone major changes. The timing belt drive has given way to a reliable chain, the replacement of which is required after ~ 300 thousand km. In addition, lightweight valves and new springs, rockers of a different design were used, and valve clearance hydraulic compensators remained. The diameter of the intake valves is 42 mm, exhaust 36 mm. Camshaft characteristics M43B16: phase 244/244, rise 10.6/10 mm.
The ignition system has changed, to optimize engine performance, a DISA variable-length intake manifold is used.
This motor was used on BMW cars with the 16i index.
Since 2001, a new engine for 16 BMWs has been produced -