BMW B48 / B38 vs 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC carries less risk than the BMW B48 / B38: 23/100 versus 24/100 (both low 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 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Camshaft wear and pitting on the 2.0 K20 (Accord VII, CR-V II, Civic)».

Risk index

BMW B48 / B38

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 30 October 202615 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 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC reliable?

Naturally aspirated Honda petrol engines (K20/K24 and R20) with a timing chain. The only serious documented fault is camshaft wear in the early K20s (2003-2004); the R20A and K24Z show no serious faults in the sources consulted, and only isolated cases of oil consumption appear. The sample of testimonies is small.^{[4][5][6][7][8][9]}

See the 2 of the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B48 / B38 and 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC
Item	BMW B48 / B38	2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,998 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	136–312 hp	150–200 hp
Production	since 2014^[1][10][11]	2001–2016^[12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	24Low risk	23Low risk
Documented faults	4	2
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	High severity	High 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: Camshaft wear and pitting on the 2.0 K20 (Accord VII, CR-V II, Civic) Low severity: Excessive oil consumption on the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC engine
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][15] B48 2.0 up to 302-312 hp, high performance (MINI John Cooper Works, BMW X1 M35i)^[2]	2.0 i-VTEC 156 and 2.4 i-VTEC 200 (K family, Accord VII)^[7] 2.4 i-VTEC 200 hp (K24Z, Accord VIII)^[6] 2.0 i-VTEC 156 hp (R20A, Accord VIII)^[6] 2.0 i-VTEC 150-155 hp (R20A, CR-V III and IV)^[4][5]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	None	2.0 i-VTEC Type R (K20Z, Civic VIII FN2)^[12]
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 17 models with the BMW B48 / B38

2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

See the 7 models with the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

Other comparisons

With the BMW B48 / B38

With the 2.0 / 2.4 i-VTEC

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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
Fiabilidad Honda CR-V III: averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Honda CR-V IV: averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Honda Accord (2008-2015): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Honda Accord (2003-2008): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Honda Accord 8: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Honda CR-V RM: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
BMW B38Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW B48Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Honda K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Honda R engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Honda AccordWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
5 BMWs That Prove the B48 Four-Cylinder Engine Is Better Than You ThinkBMWBLOG · Other source · published April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026