BMW B48 / B38 vs Drive-E gasolina: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B48 / B38 carries less risk than the Drive-E gasolina: 24/100 (low risk) versus 43/100 (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 Drive-E gasolina has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «High oil consumption that can damage the turbo».

Risk index

BMW B48 / B38

Low risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

Drive-E gasolina

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

Reviewed on 27 September 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 Drive-E gasolina reliable?

The Volvo Drive-E petrol engine (2.0-litre 4-cylinder T2-T6/B4-B5 and, since 2018, 1.5-litre 3-cylinder T2-T3/B3) powers almost the entire Volvo range since 2013. Owners mainly document high oil consumption that can damage the turbo, carbon build-up on the intake valves caused by direct injection, and the odd coolant reservoir leak; we have not found Volvo acknowledging these faults with a campaign of its own for the petrol engine.^[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the Drive-E gasolina faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B48 / B38 and Drive-E gasolina
Item	BMW B48 / B38	Drive-E gasolina
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,998 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	136–312 hp	122–320 hp
Production	since 2014^[1][7][8]	since 2013^{[4][5][6][9][10][11]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	24Low risk	43Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	4
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: High oil consumption that can damage the turbo Medium severity: Carbon build-up on injectors and intake valves due to direct injection Medium severity: Leak from the expansion tank or faulty cap in the cooling system
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][12] 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	2.0 T2/T3/T4/T5/T6 and B4/B5 mild hybrid 4-cylinder (B4204T, Drive-E, 2013-present)^[4][5][6] 1.5 T2/T3 and B3 mild hybrid 3-cylinder (B3154T, Drive-E, since 2018)^[10][11][13]
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 20 models with the BMW B48 / B38

Drive-E gasolina

See the 10 models with the Drive-E gasolina

Other comparisons

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With the Drive-E gasolina

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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
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Volvo XC60 II (ab 2017) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published November 2022 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Volvo V90 – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published January 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
BMW B38Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW B48Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Volvo Engine ArchitectureWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V40Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Volvo XC40 (seit 2017) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published March 2023 · consulted 27 September 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
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French