BMW B48 / B38 vs M60 and M62: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B48 / B38 carries less risk than the M60 and M62: 24/100 (low risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). 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»; the M60 and M62 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken or worn plastic timing chain guides».

Risk index

BMW B48 / B38

Low risk · 1 serious fault

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 202613 sources How we work

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).^[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the BMW B48 / B38 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.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the M60 and M62 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B48 / B38 and M60 and M62
Item	BMW B48 / B38	M60 and M62
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,998 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	136–312 hp	218–347 hp
Production	since 2014^[1][8][9]	1992–2005^{[7][10][11][12]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	24Low risk	63High risk
Documented faults	4	5
Of high or critical severity	1	2
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Deterioration of hoses and seals in the cooling circuit, with coolant loss Medium severity: Oil leaks or seepage from seals and covers, near the turbo and the VANOS High severity: Timing chain on the early units (2014-2018), redesigned in the B48TU	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	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	B38 1.5 136 hp (MINI Cooper, 118i)^[2] B48 2.0 178-197 hp (120i, 220i, 320i, 520i, X1/X2/X3 20i, MINI Cooper S)^[2] B48 2.0 252-258 hp (330i, 530i, X3/X4 xDrive30i)^[2][13] B48 2.0 up to 302-312 hp, high performance (MINI John Cooper Works, BMW X1 M35i)^[2]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	None	M60B30, 3.0 litres (218 hp; 1992-1996)^[4][5][7] M60B40, 4.0 litres (286 hp; 1992-1996)^[4][6][7] M62B35, 3.5 litres (235 hp; 1996-1998)^[4][5] M62TUB35, 3.5 litres (238-245 hp; 1998-2003)^[4][5] M62B44, 4.4 litres (286 hp; 1996-1998)^[4][5] M62TUB44, 4.4 litres (286 hp; 1998-2005)^[4][5] M62TUB46, 4.6 litres (347 hp; 2002-2004)^[4][5]
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 B48 / B38

See the 21 models with the BMW B48 / B38

M60 and M62

Other comparisons

With the BMW B48 / B38

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.

BMW B48Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Motor BMW B48: defectos, mantenimiento y guía de compraRecambios y Accesorios BMW (blog) · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
BMW Reliability Has Changed, But the Internet Hasn't Caught UpBMWBLOG · Other source · published January 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
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
BMW B38Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW B48Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
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
5 BMWs That Prove the B48 Four-Cylinder Engine Is Better Than You ThinkBMWBLOG · Other source · published April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026