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BMW B48 / B38 vs E-Tech Híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B48 / B38 carries less risk than the E-Tech Híbrido: 24/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate 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 E-Tech Híbrido has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)».

Risk index

BMW B48 / B38

24

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

E-Tech Híbrido

32

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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

14 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 E-Tech Híbrido reliable?

The E-Tech combines a combustion engine (1.6 H4M naturally aspirated or 1.2 HR12 turbo) with electric motors and a multi-mode gearbox with no clutch or torque converter. Its best-documented weak point is the gearbox itself: reports from the Clio, Captur, Arkana, Austral, Duster and Jogger describe warnings of a risk of breakage, and Renault has launched two campaigns since 2020 (an electrical fault and a primary shaft seal). The 12 V battery also fails fairly often.[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the E-Tech Híbrido faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B48 / B38 and E-Tech Híbrido
BMW B48 / B38E-Tech Híbrido
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,998 cm³1,598 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power136–312 hp140–200 hp
Productionsince 2014[1][7][8]since 2020[4][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)24Low risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults44
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityHigh severityHigh 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. High severity: Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)
  2. High severity: Stalling and injection warnings on the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12)
  3. Medium severity: Hybrid system electrical fault with "DANGER" warning and car won't start
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][11]
  • 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
  • 1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 140-145 (H4M, 2020+)[5][12]
  • 1.6 E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 (H4M, 2020-2023)[13]
  • 1.2 E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 (HR12 turbo, 2022+)[6][14]
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 14 models with the BMW B48 / B38

E-Tech Híbrido

See the 10 models with the E-Tech Híbrido

Other comparisons

With the BMW B48 / B38

With the E-Tech Híbrido

Compare other engines

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Sources

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

  1. 1.BMW B48Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. 2.Motor BMW B48: defectos, mantenimiento y guía de compraRecambios y Accesorios BMW (blog) · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. 3.BMW Reliability Has Changed, But the Internet Hasn't Caught UpBMWBLOG · Other source · published January 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. 4.Renault Clio VWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. 5.Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. 6.Fiabilité et pannes du Renault AustralFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. 7.BMW B38Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. 8.BMW B48Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. 9.Renault Captur IIWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. 10.Renault AustralWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. 11.5 BMWs That Prove the B48 Four-Cylinder Engine Is Better Than You ThinkBMWBLOG · Other source · published April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. 12.Fiabilité et pannes du Renault ArkanaFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. 13.Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Captur IIFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. 14.Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Espace 6Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French