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BMW B58 vs M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B58 carries less risk than the M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9: 38/100 versus 42/100 (both moderate risk). The BMW B58 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Failure of the oil pump with a plastic rotor housing»; the M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Failure of the plastic parts in the cooling system».

Risk index

BMW B58

38

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9

42

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

14 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW B58 reliable?

The B58 (3.0 turbo straight-six, since 2015) is considered robust and less troublesome than the N54/N55 it replaced, and the sources do not document widespread internal failures. The known faults are on the periphery: the plastic oil filter housing, crankcase ventilation, gaskets and coolant. On units built before 2021 there are also US reports of an oil pump with a plastic housing.[1][2][3][4]

See the 6 of the BMW B58 faults

Is the M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9 reliable?

The M43 (1993-2002) is an 8-valve petrol four-cylinder with a timing chain that Autohints describes as one of BMW’s most durable engines of the nineties. The faults the sources cite are with ancillaries: plastic cooling parts, oil leaks from the gaskets, rough idle, ignition and, in some versions, the DISA valve.[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B58 and M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9
BMW B58M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement2,998 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power290–441 hp102–118 hp
Productionsince 2015[8][9]1993–2002[6][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)38Moderate risk42Moderate risk
Documented faults65
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Failure of the oil pump with a plastic rotor housing
  2. Medium severity: Oil and coolant leak from the plastic oil filter housing
  3. Medium severity: Failure of the crankcase ventilation PCV valve (integrated in the valve cover)
  1. High severity: Failure of the plastic parts in the cooling system
  2. Medium severity: DISA intake manifold valve with play and noise
  3. Low severity: Oil leaks from gaskets (rocker cover, front cover and crankcase breather)
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • B58TU2 381 hp (B58B30M2, since 2022)[2][3]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • B58 326 hp (B58B30M0, 2015-2019)[2][3][12]
  • B58 340-360 hp (B58B30M0, 2016-2019)[2][3][12]
  • B58TU 333-340 hp (B58B30M1, since 2018)[2][3]
  • B58TU 374 hp (B58B30O1, M340i, M440i and M240i, since 2019)[3]
  • M43B16, 1.6 litre (102 hp; 1993-1999)[5][6][7]
  • M43B18, 1.8 litre (115 hp; 1993-1999)[5][13]
  • M43TUB19, 1.9 litre (105 hp; 1998-2002)[5][7][14]
  • M43TUB19, 1.9 litre (118 hp; 1998-2002)[5][7][14]
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 B58

See the 16 models with the BMW B58

M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9

Other comparisons

With the BMW B58

With the M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9

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. The 5 Most Common BMW B58 Engine ProblemsBMW Tuning · Technical documentation · published 7 February 2020 · consulted 9 October 2026
  2. BMW B58 EngineFCP Euro · Technical documentation · consulted 9 October 2026
  3. The Popular BMW B58 Inline-Six Engine Has One Big Achilles HeelThe Autopian · Motoring press · published 14 June 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026
  4. ¿En qué se diferencian los motores B58 y S58 de BMW?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 27 April 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
  5. BMW M43B18 1.8L 115hp inline-4 cylinder engineAutoHints · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. Der BMW M43 Motor: Technische Daten, Probleme, Haltbarkeit & FahrzeuglisteCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. BMW M43: problemas conocidosEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. BMW B58Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  9. BMW B58Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  10. BMW M43Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. BMW M43Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. How A Plastic Part On BMW's B58 Engine Can Turn An Oil Change Into A $3,000 RepairThe Autopian · Motoring press · published 28 March 2025 · consulted 9 October 2026
  13. BMW 3 Series E36 Reliability Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before BuyingEuro Premium Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. 316i M43: 17 Jahre, Standhaftigkeit erhöhen (E46)BMW-Syndikat (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German