BMW B38 / B37 vs 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the BMW B38 / B37: 19/100 versus 20/100 (both low risk). The BMW B38 / B37 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «B38 crankshaft thrust bearing failure (units before April 2015)»; the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

BMW B38 / B37

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202618 sources How we work

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.^[1][2][3]

See the 3 of the BMW B38 / B37 faults

Is the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II reliable?

The 1.4 and 1.6 16v GM Daewoo E-TEC II (first-generation Lacetti/Optra and Aveo) have a timing belt and, according to the Polish press, a moderate fault record. Documented issues are faulty valves in the first units (2004-2005), lambda sensor faults and a few cases of oil leaks or oil consumption.^[4][5][6]

See the 3 of the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B38 / B37 and 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
Item	BMW B38 / B37	1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,499 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	75–231 hp	83–109 hp
Production	since 2014^[7][8][9]	2004–2011^{[10][11][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	20Low risk	19Low risk
Documented faults	3	3
Of high or critical severity	1	0
Worst severity	Critical severity	Medium severity
Main faults	Critical severity: B38 crankshaft thrust bearing failure (units before April 2015) Medium severity: Coolant leaks and water pump or thermostat failure on the B38 Low severity: Carbon build-up on the B38's intake valves and injectors	Medium severity: Faulty valves and ignition faults in the first units (2004-2005) Low severity: Lambda sensor faults Low severity: Oil consumption and oil leaks
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	B38 1.5 136-140 hp from April 2015 (B38A15 / B38B15)^[1] B37 1.5 diesel 95-116 hp (B37C15K0 / B37C15U0), up to 2017^[15] B37TÜ1 1.5 diesel 95-116 hp (from late 2017)^[16]	1.4 and 1.5 8v SOHC (Aveo, 2005-2011)^[6][14]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	B38 1.2 (B38A12, MINI One)^[8] B38 1.5 136 hp up to April 2015 (B38A15)^[1] B38K15T0 231 hp (BMW i8)^[17]	1.4 16v DOHC 95-101 hp (F14D4/L95, 2004-2011)^[4][5][14] 1.6 16v DOHC 103-109 hp (L91/LXT, 2004-2011)^[5][14][18]
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

BMW B38 / B37

See the 16 models with the BMW B38 / B37

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

Other comparisons

With the BMW B38 / B37

With the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

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Sources

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

BMW Dreizylinder: Dauertest-Probleme des B38 behoben?BimmerToday · Motoring press · published 5 October 2017 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
2024: BMW recall due to EGR coolers extended againcar-recalls.eu · Motoring press · published 28 March 2024 · consulted 4 October 2026
BMW diésel Europa: llamada a revisión por el EGR y riesgo de incendioDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4 16V - Niełatwo zdobyć zaufanieAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 19 November 2007 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
Bez fajerwerków - Chevrolet Lacetti (2003-2010)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 7 April 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
Czy warto kupić: używany Chevrolet Aveo (od 2002 do 2011)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 5 March 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
BMW B38 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
BMW B38 (Wikipedia, alemán)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
BMW B37 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
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
BMW Baukasten-Diesel: Mehr Infos zur TÜ1 für B47 und B37BimmerToday · Motoring press · published 20 November 2017 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
BMW i8 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language