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BMW B48 / B38 vs 1.4/1.6 VTi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B48 / B38 carries less risk than the 1.4/1.6 VTi: 24/100 (low risk) versus 52/100 (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 1.4/1.6 VTi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Fragile water pump (and expansion tank or heat exchanger, depending on displacement)».

Risk index

BMW B48 / B38

24

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.4/1.6 VTi

52

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

10 sourcesHow 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 1.4/1.6 VTi reliable?

The 1.4 VTi and 1.6 VTi are the naturally aspirated versions of the Prince family, developed by PSA together with BMW and also used by MINI. They do not have a reputation for particular reliability: fiches-auto.fr documents frequent oil consumption in both displacements and a fragile water pump, later inherited by the turbocharged 1.6 THP; according to a German garage, the timing chain can also wear in any version, although the most reported cases are on the turbo engine.[4][5][6]

See the 3 of the 1.4/1.6 VTi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B48 / B38 and 1.4/1.6 VTi
BMW B48 / B381.4/1.6 VTi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,998 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power136–312 hp90–121 hp
Productionsince 2014[1][7][8]2006–2015[9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)24Low risk52High risk
Documented faults43
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: Deterioration of hoses and seals in the cooling circuit, with coolant loss
  2. Medium severity: Oil leaks or seepage from seals and covers, near the turbo and the VANOS
  3. High severity: Timing chain on the early units (2014-2018), redesigned in the B48TU
  1. High severity: Fragile water pump (and expansion tank or heat exchanger, depending on displacement)
  2. Critical severity: Wear of the timing chain and tensioner
  3. Medium severity: Oil consumption on the 1.4 and 1.6 VTi versions
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo 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][10]
  • B48 2.0 up to 302-312 hp, high performance (MINI John Cooper Works, BMW X1 M35i)[2]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious aboutNone
  • 1.4 16v / VTi (EP3, N12; 90-98 hp)[4][6]
  • 1.6 16v / VTi (EP6/EP6C, N12/N16; 118-121 hp)[4][5][6]
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 B48 / B38

See the 17 models with the BMW B48 / B38

1.4/1.6 VTi

See the 10 models with the 1.4/1.6 VTi

Other comparisons

With the BMW B48 / B38

With the 1.4/1.6 VTi

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 B48Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Motor BMW B48: defectos, mantenimiento y guía de compraRecambios y Accesorios BMW (blog) · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. BMW Reliability Has Changed, But the Internet Hasn't Caught UpBMWBLOG · Other source · published January 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. Moteurs essence qui consomment de l'huileFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Liste des moteurs qui ont des soucis de refroidissementFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Tickende Zeitbombe: So zuverlässig ist der Prince-Motor von PSA und BMWGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. BMW B38Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. BMW B48Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Prince engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. 5 BMWs That Prove the B48 Four-Cylinder Engine Is Better Than You ThinkBMWBLOG · Other source · published April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026