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1.2 and 1.4 TSI vs BMW B38 / B37: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B38 / B37 carries less risk than the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI: 20/100 (low risk) versus 84/100 (very high risk). The 1.2 and 1.4 TSI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)»; the BMW B38 / B37 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «B38 crankshaft thrust bearing failure (units before April 2015)».

Risk index

1.2 and 1.4 TSI

84

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

BMW B38 / B37

20

Low 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

25 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The chain-driven 1.2 and 1.4 TSI EA111 engines (2006-2015) carry a recognised problem of chain stretch and tensioner failure, and the 1.4 twincharger engines from before 2012 can break pistons. The belt-driven EA211 engines (from 2012) are considerably more reliable: their typical fault is a leaking water pump.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 5 of the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI faults

Is the BMW B38 / B37 reliable?

BMW and MINI's three-cylinder B38 (petrol) and B37 (diesel) have no serious, widespread documented fault. The only problem reported in the press is the crankshaft thrust bearing on early B38 units (up to April 2015), corrected by BMW. BMW's EGR campaigns affect four- and six-cylinder diesels, not the B37.[6][7][8]

See the 3 of the BMW B38 / B37 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.2 and 1.4 TSI and BMW B38 / B37
1.2 and 1.4 TSIBMW B38 / B37
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,499 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power85–185 hp75–231 hp
Productionsince 2006[9][10][11][12][13]since 2014[14][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)84Very high risk20Low risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity31
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)
  2. Critical severity: Piston breakage and oil consumption in the 1.4 TSI twincharger
  3. Medium severity: Water pump and thermostat housing leak (EA211)
  1. Critical severity: B38 crankshaft thrust bearing failure (units before April 2015)
  2. Medium severity: Coolant leaks and water pump or thermostat failure on the B38
  3. Low severity: Carbon build-up on the B38's intake valves and injectors
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,400Timing chain stretch and tensioner failure (EA111)Published figure[17][18]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.2 TSI 86-110 hp (EA211, CJZA/CJZB/CJZC/CJZD, CYVA/CYVB, 2012-2019)[3][19]
  • 1.4 TSI 122-150 hp (EA211, incl. ACT/COD; CMBA, CXSA, CZCA, CHPA, CPTA, CZDA, CZEA…, from 2012)[3][5]
  • B38 1.5 136-140 hp from April 2015 (B38A15 / B38B15)[6]
  • B37 1.5 diesel 95-116 hp (B37C15K0 / B37C15U0), up to 2017[20]
  • B37TÜ1 1.5 diesel 95-116 hp (from late 2017)[21]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.2 TSI 86/90/105 hp (EA111, CBZA/CBZC/CBZB, 2009-2015)[2][22]
  • 1.4 TSI twincharger revised 160-185 hp (EA111, CTHD/CTHE/CTHG, from 2012)[2][4]
  • 1.4 TSI 122/125 hp (EA111, CAXA/CAXC, from 2007)[2][23]
  • B38 1.2 (B38A12, MINI One)[15]
  • B38 1.5 136 hp up to April 2015 (B38A15)[6]
  • B38K15T0 231 hp (BMW i8)[24]
AvoidVersions to avoid
  • 1.4 TSI twincharger 140-185 hp (EA111, BMY/BLG/CAVD/CAVE…, 2006-2012)[2][4][25]
None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.2 and 1.4 TSI

See the 31 models with the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI

BMW B38 / B37

See the 14 models with the BMW B38 / B37

Other comparisons

With the 1.2 and 1.4 TSI

With the BMW B38 / B37

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. VW 1.2 TSI & 1.4 TSI Steuerkette: VW kassiert Kulanz-VersprechenAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 1 June 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  2. Probleme und Schwachstellen beim 1.2 TSI, 1.4 TSI (EA111)Gebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · published 1 September 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  3. VW EA211: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · published 26 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  4. Volkswagen CAVD 1.4 Litre TSI Engine ProblemsGrant Walker (taller, Australia) · Other source · published 28 June 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
  5. VW Golf 7: Probleme, Mängel & Schwachstellencarwiki.de · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  6. BMW Dreizylinder: Dauertest-Probleme des B38 behoben?BimmerToday · Motoring press · published 5 October 2017 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
  7. 2024: BMW recall due to EGR coolers extended againcar-recalls.eu · Motoring press · published 28 March 2024 · consulted 4 October 2026
  8. BMW diésel Europa: llamada a revisión por el EGR y riesgo de incendioDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Self-Study Programme 359: 1.4l TSI Engine with Dual-chargingVolkswagen AG (copia alojada en volkspage.net) · Manufacturer · published March 2006 · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. Volkswagen EA111 engine (1.2 TSI/TFSI)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  11. Volkswagen EA211 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  12. Audi A1Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  13. International Driving Presentation of the new Polo BlueGTVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 2 July 2012 · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. BMW B38 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
  15. BMW B38 (Wikipedia, alemán)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
  16. BMW B37 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
  17. Coste de cambiar la cadena de distribución: guía VW Audi TSISkanyx · Other source · published 25 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Problemas en la cadena de distribución: casos y costeGT Autos (Málaga) · Other source · published 22 December 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  19. VW: Austritt von Motoröl möglichautoservicepraxis.de · Motoring press · published 16 August 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  20. Project one M: MINI Cooper D F56 fährt eine Million Kilometer in 12 JahrenBimmerToday · Motoring press · published 24 June 2026 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
  21. BMW Baukasten-Diesel: Mehr Infos zur TÜ1 für B47 und B37BimmerToday · Motoring press · published 20 November 2017 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
  22. Bei älteren VW 1.2 TSi-Motoren: Gefahr einer Längung der Steuerkettefebi bilstein (blog técnico) · Technical documentation · published 28 January 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  23. ADAC Pannenstatistik 2019 (anexo: defectos por encima de la media por modelo)ADAC e.V. · Reliability study · published 2019 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  24. BMW i8 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
  25. Bulletin – Volkswagen 1.4 Piston FailureSouthside Cylinder Heads (taller, Australia) · Other source · published 6 December 2017 · consulted 26 September 2026