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BMW B38 / B37 vs 1.0 SCe (B4D): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B38 / B37 carries less risk than the 1.0 SCe (B4D): 20/100 versus 23/100 (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 1.0 SCe (B4D) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

BMW B38 / B37

20

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.0 SCe (B4D)

23

Low risk · 0 serious faults

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

14 sourcesHow 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 1.0 SCe (B4D) reliable?

The 1.0 SCe (B4D) is a simple, low-power (70-75 hp) naturally aspirated three-cylinder engine, with no serious or systemic faults documented. Its most cited issues are a clutch that can slip or judder when cold and, more occasionally on the Dacia Sandero II, higher-than-normal oil consumption; there is no pattern of faults in the chain-driven timing.[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the 1.0 SCe (B4D) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B38 / B37 and 1.0 SCe (B4D)
BMW B38 / B371.0 SCe (B4D)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,499 cm³999 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power75–231 hp70–75 hp
Productionsince 2014[7][8][9]2014–2024[10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)20Low risk23Low risk
Documented faults34
Of high or critical severity10
Worst severityCritical severityMedium severity
Main faults
  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
  1. Medium severity: Clutch that slips or judders, especially when cold
  2. Medium severity: Jerking, rough idle or warning light from sensors and ignition coils
  3. Low severity: Higher-than-normal oil consumption (especially on the Dacia Sandero II)
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo 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[12]
  • B37TÜ1 1.5 diesel 95-116 hp (from late 2017)[13]
None
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)[14]
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 B38 / B37

See the 14 models with the BMW B38 / B37

1.0 SCe (B4D)

Other comparisons

With the BMW B38 / B37

With the 1.0 SCe (B4D)

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 Dreizylinder: Dauertest-Probleme des B38 behoben?BimmerToday · Motoring press · published 5 October 2017 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
  2. 2024: BMW recall due to EGR coolers extended againcar-recalls.eu · Motoring press · published 28 March 2024 · consulted 4 October 2026
  3. BMW diésel Europa: llamada a revisión por el EGR y riesgo de incendioDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Fiabilité et pannes de la Dacia Sandero 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité et pannes du Dacia Logan 2Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Twingo 3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. BMW B38 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
  8. BMW B38 (Wikipedia, alemán)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
  9. BMW B37 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
  10. List of Renault enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Renault TwingoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. 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
  13. BMW Baukasten-Diesel: Mehr Infos zur TÜ1 für B47 und B37BimmerToday · Motoring press · published 20 November 2017 · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
  14. BMW i8 (Wikipedia)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026