Skip to content
MotorFiable
en

BMW B58 vs BMW N20: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B58 carries less risk than the BMW N20: 38/100 (moderate risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). The BMW B58 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Failure of the oil pump with a plastic rotor housing»; the BMW N20 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain guide and tensioner wear (2011-2015)».

Risk index

BMW B58

38

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW N20

63

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

10 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW B58 reliable?

The B58 (3.0 turbo straight-six, since 2015) is considered robust and less troublesome than the N54/N55 it replaced, and the sources do not document widespread internal failures. The known faults are on the periphery: the plastic oil filter housing, crankcase ventilation, gaskets and coolant. On units built before 2021 there are also US reports of an oil pump with a plastic housing.[1][2][3][4]

See the 6 of the BMW B58 faults

Is the BMW N20 reliable?

The BMW N20 (2011-2017) was the first turbocharged four-cylinder with which BMW replaced its naturally aspirated six-cylinders in models such as the 320i, 328i and X3, and it is generally mechanically sound. Its best-documented weak point is the timing chain guides and tensioner on units built before 2015; oil leaks, the electric water pump and, to a lesser extent, the turbo and the high-pressure fuel pump are also known issues.[5][6]

See the 5 of the BMW N20 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B58 and BMW N20
BMW B58BMW N20
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement2,998 cm³1,997 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power290–441 hp156–245 hp
Productionsince 2015[7][8]2011–2017[5][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)38Moderate risk63High risk
Documented faults65
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Failure of the oil pump with a plastic rotor housing
  2. Medium severity: Oil and coolant leak from the plastic oil filter housing
  3. Medium severity: Failure of the crankcase ventilation PCV valve (integrated in the valve cover)
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain guide and tensioner wear (2011-2015)
  2. Critical severity: Electric water pump failure (BMW campaign in the US over fire risk)
  3. Medium severity: Oil leaks from the rocker cover gasket and the filter housing
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • B58TU2 381 hp (B58B30M2, since 2022)[2][3]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • B58 326 hp (B58B30M0, 2015-2019)[2][3][10]
  • B58 340-360 hp (B58B30M0, 2016-2019)[2][3][10]
  • B58TU 333-340 hp (B58B30M1, since 2018)[2][3]
  • B58TU 374 hp (B58B30O1, M340i, M440i and M240i, since 2019)[3]
  • N20B20 156 hp (115 kW, 2013-2016)[6]
  • N20B20B 184 hp (135 kW, 2011-2017)[6]
  • N20B20 218 hp (160 kW, 2012-2015)[6]
  • N20B20A 245 hp (180 kW, 2011-2017)[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 B58

See the 15 models with the BMW B58

BMW N20

See the 8 models with the BMW N20

Other comparisons

With the BMW B58

With the BMW N20

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. The 5 Most Common BMW B58 Engine ProblemsBMW Tuning · Technical documentation · published 7 February 2020 · consulted 9 October 2026
  2. BMW B58 EngineFCP Euro · Technical documentation · consulted 9 October 2026
  3. The Popular BMW B58 Inline-Six Engine Has One Big Achilles HeelThe Autopian · Motoring press · published 14 June 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026
  4. ¿En qué se diferencian los motores B58 y S58 de BMW?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 27 April 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
  5. BMW N20Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. BMW N20 Engine: Pros, Cons, Reliability, Tuning, and Maintenance GuideBMW BLOG · Motoring press · published 8 June 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. BMW B58Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  8. BMW B58Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  9. BMW N20Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. How A Plastic Part On BMW's B58 Engine Can Turn An Oil Change Into A $3,000 RepairThe Autopian · Motoring press · published 28 March 2025 · consulted 9 October 2026