2.0 TSI / TFSI vs M60 and M62: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 TSI / TFSI carries less risk than the M60 and M62: 54/100 versus 63/100 (both high risk). The 2.0 TSI / TFSI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «High oil consumption»; the M60 and M62 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken or worn plastic timing chain guides».

Risk index

2.0 TSI / TFSI

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

M60 and M62

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202616 sources How we work

Is the 2.0 TSI / TFSI reliable?

It depends above all on the generation. The earliest units (2008-2012, without Valvelift) have more oil consumption complaints and somewhat more chain and tensioner wear; from 2012 the Valvelift design reduced oil consumption but kept carbon build-up on the intake valves as a weak point until, around 2016, supplementary indirect injection was added. The thermostat housing with the integrated water pump leaks coolant in several generations.^{[1][2][3][4][5]}

See the 5 of the 2.0 TSI / TFSI faults

Is the M60 and M62 reliable?

BMW's M60 and M62 V8s have a reputation for durability if the cooling system is looked after, but the M62 carries two well-documented weak points: the plastic chain guides of the timing chain and, from 1998, the VANOS seals. The M60 suffered cylinder wear from Nikasil with sulphur-contaminated petrol.^[6][7][8][9]

See the 5 of the M60 and M62 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 TSI / TFSI and M60 and M62
Item	2.0 TSI / TFSI	M60 and M62
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,984 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	170–320 hp	218–347 hp
Production	since 2008^[1][10]	1992–2005^{[9][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	54High risk	63High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: High oil consumption Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner wear Medium severity: Carbon build-up on the intake valves	Critical severity: Broken or worn plastic timing chain guides Critical severity: Cylinder wear in the M60 (and some early M62s) from the Nikasil coating Medium severity: Worn seals on the M62 TU VANOS unit
Most expensive documented repair	up to €4,000High oil consumptionPublished figure^[14]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 3B / evo, with added indirect injection (2016 onwards, 190-320 hp)^[1][5][15]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 1, without Valvelift (2008-2012, 170-220 hp)^{[2][3][15][16]} 2.0 TSI/TFSI Gen 2/3, with Valvelift and direct injection only (2012-2016, 180-230 hp)^[2][3][15]	M60B30, 3.0 litres (218 hp; 1992-1996)^[6][7][9] M60B40, 4.0 litres (286 hp; 1992-1996)^[6][8][9] M62B35, 3.5 litres (235 hp; 1996-1998)^[6][7] M62TUB35, 3.5 litres (238-245 hp; 1998-2003)^[6][7] M62B44, 4.4 litres (286 hp; 1996-1998)^[6][7] M62TUB44, 4.4 litres (286 hp; 1998-2005)^[6][7] M62TUB46, 4.6 litres (347 hp; 2002-2004)^[6][7]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	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

2.0 TSI / TFSI

See the 45 models with the 2.0 TSI / TFSI

M60 and M62

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 TSI / TFSI

With the M60 and M62

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Volkswagen EA888 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Fiabilité Volkswagen (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Audi (datos de propietarios por modelo)fiches-auto.fr · Reliability study · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Motores TFSI: características, ventajas e inconvenientesAutofácil · Motoring press · published 18 May 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor 2.0 TFSI 190 CV (ficha técnica)km77 · Technical documentation · published 13 May 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
BMW M62 V8 Engine Guide: Problems, Reliability, TuningBMWBlog · Motoring press · published 27 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
BMW M62 4.4 V8 (1996-2003): problemas conocidosEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
BMW 7er (1994-2002): Schwachstellen und MotorenAuto Bild · Motoring press · published 25 February 2002 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
BMW M60Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Audi TTWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
BMW M60Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
BMW M62Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
BMW M62Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Tu coche quema aceite: 6 señales de alarma y la solución definitiva para salvar tu motorAutopista.es · Motoring press · published 19 June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Témoignages fiabilité Audifiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Témoignages fiabilité Volkswagenfiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French