Skip to content
MotorFiable

BMW B48 / B38 vs 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B48 / B38 carries less risk than the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE): 24/100 (low risk) versus 32/100 (moderate 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 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «1GR-FE 4.0 V6 head gasket failure».

Risk index

BMW B48 / B38

24

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

32

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

13 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 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) reliable?

The sources consulted describe them as robust chain-driven engines with few documented faults: on the 4.0 V6 (1GR-FE), the water pump, head gasket on early units and the coils; on the 2.7 (2TR-FE), the front crankshaft seal in the early years. Almost all the data comes from technical websites, not official campaigns.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B48 / B38 and 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
BMW B48 / B382.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,998 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power136–312 hp151–281 hp
Productionsince 2014[1][8][9]since 2002[10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)24Low risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityHigh 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: 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 head gasket failure
  2. Medium severity: 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 water pump leaks
  3. Medium severity: 2.7 2TR-FE oil leaks from the front crankshaft seal
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][12]
  • B48 2.0 up to 302-312 hp, high performance (MINI John Cooper Works, BMW X1 M35i)[2]
  • 2.7 Dual VVT-i (2TR-FE, from 2015)[6][7]
  • 4.0 V6 Dual VVT-i (1GR-FE, from 2009)[4][13]
With cautionVersions to be cautious aboutNone
  • 2.7 VVT-i (2TR-FE, 2,693 cc, 2004-2014)[6][7]
  • 4.0 V6 VVT-i (1GR-FE, 3,956 cc, from 2002)[4][5][13]
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 21 models with the BMW B48 / B38

2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

Other comparisons

With the BMW B48 / B38

With the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

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. 1GR-FE Toyota 4.0L 236 hp: ficha del motor, puntos débiles y fiabilidadAutoHints · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. The 4 Most Common Toyota 1GR-FE Engine Problems8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 29 December 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. Toyota 2TR-FE 2.7L: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. Toyota 2TR-FE Engine Guide - Specs, Reliability, & Mods8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 2 February 2023 · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. BMW B38Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. BMW B48Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Toyota TR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Toyota GR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. 5 BMWs That Prove the B48 Four-Cylinder Engine Is Better Than You ThinkBMWBLOG · Other source · published April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. Toyota 1GR-FE 4.0L V6: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026