BMW B48 / B38 vs BMW N62 / N63: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B48 / B38 carries less risk than the BMW N62 / N63: 24/100 (low risk) versus 54/100 (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 BMW N62 / N63 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «N63 oil consumption from worn valve stem seals».

Risk index

BMW B48 / B38

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW N62 / N63

High risk · 3 serious faults

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

Reviewed on 8 October 202617 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 BMW N62 / N63 reliable?

The N62 (naturally aspirated V8, 2001-2010) is considered a solid engine, with the coolant hoses and valve stem seals as points to watch. The N63 (twin-turbo V8, since 2008) has a worse reputation: oil consumption from the seals, the timing chain and coolant loss; the post-July 2013 N63TU is considered more reliable.^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

See the 6 of the BMW N62 / N63 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B48 / B38 and BMW N62 / N63
Item	BMW B48 / B38	BMW N62 / N63
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,998 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	136–312 hp	272–450 hp
Production	since 2014^[1][9][10]	since 2001^{[6][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	24Low risk	54High risk
Documented faults	4	6
Of high or critical severity	1	3
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	High severity: N63 oil consumption from worn valve stem seals Critical severity: N63 timing chain stretch and guide breakage Critical severity: Additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fire
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][14] B48 2.0 up to 302-312 hp, high performance (MINI John Cooper Works, BMW X1 M35i)^[2]	N62B48TU 4.8 naturally aspirated 355-367 hp (550i, 650i, 750i, X5 4.8i; 2005-2010)^[5][7]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	None	N62B36 3.6 naturally aspirated 272 hp (735i, 2001-2005)^[4][7] N62B40 4.0 naturally aspirated 306 hp (540i and 740i, 2005-2010)^[4][8] N62B44 4.4 naturally aspirated 320-333 hp (545i, 645Ci, 745i, X5 4.4i; 2001-2006)^[4][8][15] N62B48 4.8 naturally aspirated 360 hp (X5 4.8is, 2004-2006)^[16] N63B44O1 (N63TU) 4.4 twin-turbo 450 hp (2013-2019)^[6]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	N63B44O0 4.4 twin-turbo 408 hp (2008-2014)^[6][17]

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 17 models with the BMW B48 / B38

BMW N62 / N63

See the 12 models with the BMW N62 / N63

Other comparisons

With the BMW B48 / B38

With the BMW N62 / N63

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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 5er E60, E61 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 26 April 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
BMW X5 E70 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 5 January 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
BMW 5er F10, F11: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
BMW 6er E63, E64 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 5 January 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
BMW 650i: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 4 December 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
BMW B38Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW B48Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
BMW N62Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
BMW N63Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
BMW N62Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 8 October 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
BMW 745i (E65): Test über 100.000 kmAUTO ZEITUNG · Motoring press · published 12 January 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
BMW X5 E53 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 4 January 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Bmw Serie 5 (2010-2016) (252 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French