Skip to content
MotorFiable
en

BMW B48 / B38 vs BMW N13: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B48 / B38 carries less risk than the BMW N13: 24/100 (low risk) versus 57/100 (high risk). The BMW B48 / B38 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain on the early units (2014-2018), redesigned in the B48TU»; the BMW N13 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner wear».

Risk index

BMW B48 / B38

24

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW N13

57

High risk · 1 serious fault

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

9 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW B48 / B38 reliable?

The BMW B48 (2.0 turbo, from 2014) and its three-cylinder sibling, the B38 (1.5), have a reputation as reliable engines within BMW's modern range: there is no serious, widespread fault on record, unlike the timing chain on the N47 diesel or the EGR fire risk on the B47. Keep an eye on the cooling circuit, the oil seals near the turbo and the VANOS, and the carbon build-up typical of direct injection; BMW revised the timing chain in 2018 (B48TU update).[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the BMW B48 / B38 faults

Is the BMW N13 reliable?

The BMW N13 (2011-2016), BMW's first turbocharged four-cylinder in three decades, powered the 114i, 116i, 118i and 120i (F20/F21) and the 316i (F30). It derives from the Prince engine developed with PSA, the same origin as the 1.6 THP. In 2013 BMW issued a technical service bulletin over timing chain and tensioner wear; oil consumption and carbon build-up on the injectors are other weak points shared with that family.[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the BMW N13 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B48 / B38 and BMW N13
BMW B48 / B38BMW N13
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,998 cm³1,598 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power136–312 hp102–177 hp
Productionsince 2014[1][7][8]2011–2016[4][5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)24Low risk57High risk
Documented faults44
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Deterioration of hoses and seals in the cooling circuit, with coolant loss
  2. Medium severity: Oil leaks or seepage from seals and covers, near the turbo and the VANOS
  3. High severity: Timing chain on the early units (2014-2018), redesigned in the B48TU
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner wear
  2. Medium severity: High oil consumption
  3. Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • B38 1.5 136 hp (MINI Cooper, 118i)[2]
  • B48 2.0 178-197 hp (120i, 220i, 320i, 520i, X1/X2/X3 20i, MINI Cooper S)[2]
  • B48 2.0 252-258 hp (330i, 530i, X3/X4 xDrive30i)[2][9]
  • B48 2.0 up to 302-312 hp, high performance (MINI John Cooper Works, BMW X1 M35i)[2]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious aboutNone
  • 114i 102 hp (75 kW, 2012-2015)[5][6]
  • 116i / 316i 136 hp (100 kW, 2011-2015)[5][6]
  • 118i 170 hp (125 kW, 2011-2016)[5][6]
  • 120i 177 hp (130 kW, 2015-2016)[5][6]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

BMW B48 / B38

See the 17 models with the BMW B48 / B38

BMW N13

Other comparisons

With the BMW B48 / B38

With the BMW N13

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. BMW B48Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Motor BMW B48: defectos, mantenimiento y guía de compraRecambios y Accesorios BMW (blog) · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. BMW Reliability Has Changed, But the Internet Hasn't Caught UpBMWBLOG · Other source · published January 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. BMW N13Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. BMW N13Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  6. Tickende Zeitbombe: So zuverlässig ist der Prince-Motor von PSA und BMWGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 13 March 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. BMW B38Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. BMW B48Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. 5 BMWs That Prove the B48 Four-Cylinder Engine Is Better Than You ThinkBMWBLOG · Other source · published April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026