Does the B38 / B48 petrol have a timing belt or a chain?
The B38 / B48 petrol used by BMW, Mini (2014 onwards) runs a timing chain. No belt to budget for. Prioritise oil-service history instead — chain wear tracks oil quality.
Timing chain
B38 / B48 petrol timing chain guide
BMW · Mini · 2014 onwards. No belt to budget for. Prioritise oil-service history instead — chain wear tracks oil quality.
- Drive type
- Timing chain
- Published interval
- No scheduled change
- Typical job cost
- £1,100-£2,400
- Buying risk
- Low · no scheduled change, wear tracks oil quality
Fitted to
Commonly 118i, 320i, X1, Mini Cooper (2014 onwards). Engine codes changed through production, so confirm the code on the car in front of you before ordering parts or quoting the job.
Warning signs on the drive
- Rattle for one to three seconds on cold start, then it quietens.
- Chain or tensioner noise that rises with load rather than revs.
- Timing-correlation fault codes (P0016, P0017) on a scan.
- Long cranking before the engine catches.
- Metal glitter in the oil or on the filter at service time.
What to check before you buy
- Cold start it yourself and listen for a rattle before the oil pressure builds.
- Scan for timing-correlation codes even if no light is on.
- Check oil-service intervals · chain wear follows neglected oil more than mileage.
- Look for a chain kit already fitted on high-mileage examples, which is a positive.
- Spend the rest of the inspection budget on the faults this family is actually known for.
Questions dealers ask
What is the B38 / B48 petrol timing belt interval?
There is no scheduled replacement interval for a chain. Judge it on cold-start noise, fault codes and oil-service history instead.
How much does the job cost on a B38 / B48 petrol?
Expect roughly £1,100-£2,400 at a UK independent garage, depending on whether the water pump and tensioner go in at the same time and how much has to come off to reach the belt. Main-dealer quotes usually sit above that range.
What happens if the timing drive fails?
On an interference engine the valves and pistons meet, which usually means a cylinder head at best and a replacement engine at worst. That is why an unproven timing history is a price conversation, not a detail.
Which models used the B38 / B48 petrol?
Commonly 118i, 320i, X1, Mini Cooper (2014 onwards). The list is not exhaustive and engine codes changed through production, so confirm the exact code on the car in front of you before ordering parts or quoting work.
Related engines
Related guides
Buying process
The complete used-car checklist (2026)
The 60-point inspection we use before every purchase · engine, drivetrain, electronics, bodywork, paperwork.
Read the guideMechanical
Wet belt engines: the used-car buyer's guide
What wet timing belts are, which engines use them, and how to check one before you buy.
Read the guideBudget & segment
A first car buyer's guide for the UK
What new drivers should prioritise on a first car, with models and checks suited to a tighter budget.
Read the guideBudget & segment
A used van buyer's guide for the UK
What to check on a used van, common weak points by model, and how running costs differ from cars.
Read the guideRelated model faults
BMW X12012–2024 · 4 known faultsBMW 1 Series2011–2024 · 4 known faultsBMW 2 Series2014–2025 · 4 known faultsBMW 3 Series2012–2018 · 4 known faultsBMW 4 Series2014–2025 · 4 known faultsBMW 5 Series2011–2016 · 4 known faults
Browse the whole fault libraryCheck the whole car, not just the belt
Fault Flag builds a model-specific inspection list from the make, model, year and mileage, so the belt sits alongside every other known weak point before you commit.