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1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI vs BMW B48 / B38: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI carries less risk than the BMW B48 / B38: 23/100 versus 24/100 (both low risk). The 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI has no documented serious faults; 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».

Risk index

1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW B48 / B38

24

Low risk · 1 serious fault

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

18 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI reliable?

The three-cylinder 1.0 TSI has a reputation for being robust and has no systematic serious faults. The 2017–2019 1.5 TSI evo suffered cold-start jerking at low speed, which Volkswagen corrected with software between 2019 and 2020; later units and the 2022 evo2 are more mature. Watch for coolant leaks and check the 2019 and 2020 recalls.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 5 of the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI faults

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).[6][7][8]

See the 4 of the BMW B48 / B38 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI and BMW B48 / B38
1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSIBMW B48 / B38
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,998 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power82–150 hp136–312 hp
Productionsince 2014[9][10][11][12][13]since 2014[6][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)23Low risk24Low risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity01
Worst severityMedium severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Coolant leaks from the water pump and thermostat module
  2. Low severity: Cold jerking at low speed ("kangaroo effect") on the 1.5 TSI evo
  3. Medium severity: Lack of torque on starting in the manual 150 hp 1.5 TSI (2019 recall)
  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
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.0 TSI EA211 (CHZ, DKL, DKR; 2014 onwards)[1][2][5]
  • 1.0 TSI / 1.0 eTSI evo (DLAA, DLAB; 2020 onwards)[1][11]
  • 1.5 TSI / 1.5 eTSI evo 114/130/150 hp (DPCA, DPBC; built from 2020)[1][16]
  • 1.5 TSI / 1.5 eTSI evo2 116/150 hp (DXDB, DNKA; 2022 onwards)[1][17]
  • B38 1.5 136 hp (MINI Cooper, 118i)[7]
  • B48 2.0 178-197 hp (120i, 220i, 320i, 520i, X1/X2/X3 20i, MINI Cooper S)[7]
  • B48 2.0 252-258 hp (330i, 530i, X3/X4 xDrive30i)[7][18]
  • B48 2.0 up to 302-312 hp, high performance (MINI John Cooper Works, BMW X1 M35i)[7]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.5 TSI evo 130/150 hp (DACA, DADA, DPBA; 2017–2019)[1][3][4]
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

1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

See the 44 models with the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

BMW B48 / B38

See the 20 models with the BMW B48 / B38

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 TSI / 1.5 TSI

With the BMW B48 / B38

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. Zuverlässigkeit der TSI-Motoren von 1.0 bis 2.0: welche Jahrgänge und Generationen Probleme machenAutohled · Motoring press · published 15 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  2. VW EA211: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 26 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  3. ¿Tu motor 1.5 TSI de Volkswagen sufre de tirones en frío? Llegan novedadesMotor.es · Motoring press · published 5 September 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. VW, Seat und Skoda: Rückruf wegen Motorsoftware-Updatekfz-betrieb (Vogel Communications) · Motoring press · published 30 September 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  5. Rückruf bei VW, Seat und Skoda: Neue Einspritzanlage für TSI-Motorkfz-betrieb (Vogel Communications) · Motoring press · published 29 July 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  6. BMW B48Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Motor BMW B48: defectos, mantenimiento y guía de compraRecambios y Accesorios BMW (blog) · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. BMW Reliability Has Changed, But the Internet Hasn't Caught UpBMWBLOG · Other source · published January 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. VW EA211Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  10. VW EA211 evoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  11. The compact all-rounder: TSI evo engine with a capacity of 1.0 and 1.5 litresVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 8 December 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  12. Golf eTSI, Golf eHybrid and Golf GTE – International Media Drive (dossier de prensa)Volkswagen AG · Manufacturer · published August 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026
  13. Prueba de consumo (251): VW Golf Evo 1.5-TSI ACT 150 CV DSG Sport R-Line 5pkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 January 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. BMW B38Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  15. BMW B48Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  16. Efecto canguro, el problema de los tirones en frío de los motores 1.5 TSI del Grupo VolkswagenSeis en Línea · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Volkswagen EA211 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  18. 5 BMWs That Prove the B48 Four-Cylinder Engine Is Better Than You ThinkBMWBLOG · Other source · published April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026