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BMW N13 vs 1.4 and 1.6 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 and 1.6 16v carries less risk than the BMW N13: 45/100 (moderate risk) versus 57/100 (high risk). The BMW N13 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner wear»; the 1.4 and 1.6 16v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt breakage or premature failure».

Risk index

BMW N13

57

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.4 and 1.6 16v

45

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

15 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the BMW N13 faults

Is the 1.4 and 1.6 16v reliable?

The K4J (1.4) and K4M (1.6), both naturally aspirated 16-valve units, are simple and generally reliable petrol engines: no source consulted documents oil consumption or faults that destroy the block. Their most-cited weak point is the ignition coils, followed by the crankshaft sensor and, on versions with a variable valve timing unit, its pulley; a neglected belt can cause serious damage, as one case in the Renault Laguna II documents.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.4 and 1.6 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N13 and 1.4 and 1.6 16v
BMW N131.4 and 1.6 16v
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,598 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power102–177 hp75–135 hp
Production2011–2016[1][2]since 1998[8][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)57High risk45Moderate risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner wear
  2. Medium severity: High oil consumption
  3. Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure
  1. Medium severity: Ignition coil failure
  2. High severity: Timing belt breakage or premature failure
  3. Medium severity: Crankshaft position sensor failure
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.6 16V 105-110 hp Dacia, without variable valve timing unit (K4M, 2004-2020)[7][11]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 114i 102 hp (75 kW, 2012-2015)[2][3]
  • 116i / 316i 136 hp (100 kW, 2011-2015)[2][3]
  • 118i 170 hp (125 kW, 2011-2016)[2][3]
  • 120i 177 hp (130 kW, 2015-2016)[2][3]
  • 1.4 16V 75-100 hp (K4J, 1999-2012)[12][13]
  • 1.6 16V 110-135 hp with variable valve timing unit (K4M, 1998-2020)[6][14][15]
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 N13

1.4 and 1.6 16v

See the 13 models with the 1.4 and 1.6 16v

Other comparisons

With the BMW N13

With the 1.4 and 1.6 16v

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. BMW N13Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. BMW N13Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  3. 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
  4. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Laguna 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Duster 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Renault K-Type engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Moteur K RenaultWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 1Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  13. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Mégane 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Scénic 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French