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BMW B58 vs 1.2 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 16v carries less risk than the BMW B58: 36/100 versus 38/100 (both moderate risk). The BMW B58 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Failure of the oil pump with a plastic rotor housing»; the 1.2 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged head gasket and coolant loss».

Risk index

BMW B58

38

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.2 16v

36

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

19 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 1.2 16v reliable?

The 1.2 16v (D4F) and its 8-valve predecessor, the D7F, are simple naturally aspirated engines, used for over two decades as the entry-level option in Renault and Dacia cars, with a reputation for reliability: the reliability pages consulted document no catastrophic failures and no oil consumption. The most-cited problems are ignition coils and sensors and, on higher-mileage cars, the head gasket.[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the 1.2 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B58 and 1.2 16v
BMW B581.2 16v
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement2,998 cm³1,149 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power290–441 hp60–76 hp
Productionsince 2015[9][10]2001–2020[11][12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)38Moderate risk36Moderate risk
Documented faults65
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityHigh 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. High severity: Damaged head gasket and coolant loss
  2. Medium severity: Ignition coil failure (misfires, engine warning light)
  3. Medium severity: Probe and sensor faults (crankshaft position, throttle body)
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • B58TU2 381 hp (B58B30M2, since 2022)[2][3]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • B58 326 hp (B58B30M0, 2015-2019)[2][3][19]
  • B58 340-360 hp (B58B30M0, 2016-2019)[2][3][19]
  • B58TU 333-340 hp (B58B30M1, since 2018)[2][3]
  • B58TU 374 hp (B58B30O1, M340i, M440i and M240i, since 2019)[3]
None
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

Other comparisons

With the BMW B58

With the 1.2 16v

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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. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Sandero 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Maxi-fiche fiabilité : la Renault Twingo 2Caradisiac · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. BMW B58Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  10. BMW B58Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  11. Moteur D RenaultWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Renault TwingoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  14. Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  15. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault KangooFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia LoganFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  17. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia SanderoFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  18. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  19. 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