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BMW B58 vs BMW N52 / N53: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B58 carries less risk than the BMW N52 / N53: 38/100 versus 48/100 (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 BMW N52 / N53 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «N53 piezoelectric injector failure».

Risk index

BMW B58

38

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW N52 / N53

48

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

15 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 BMW N52 / N53 reliable?

The BMW N52 (2004-2015, port injection) is considered very reliable for a BMW, with known weak points (electric water pump, oil seals, valve cover). The N53 (2007-2013, direct injection) adds piezoelectric injectors prone to failure, which make it more expensive to maintain.[5][6][7]

See the 6 of the BMW N52 / N53 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B58 and BMW N52 / N53
BMW B58BMW N52 / N53
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement2,998 cm³2,996 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power290–441 hp174–272 hp
Productionsince 2015[8][9]2004–2015[7][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)38Moderate risk48Moderate risk
Documented faults66
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: N53 piezoelectric injector failure
  2. Medium severity: Electric water pump and thermostat failure
  3. Medium severity: Oil leak from the oil filter housing gasket
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €600Electric water pump and thermostat failurePublished figure[12]
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][13]
  • B58 340-360 hp (B58B30M0, 2016-2019)[2][3][13]
  • B58TU 333-340 hp (B58B30M1, since 2018)[2][3]
  • B58TU 374 hp (B58B30O1, M340i, M440i and M240i, since 2019)[3]
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 15 models with the BMW B58

BMW N52 / N53

See the 9 models with the BMW N52 / N53

Other comparisons

With the BMW B58

With the BMW N52 / N53

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. These BMW N52 Years Have The Most ProblemsJalopnik · General press · consulted 5 October 2026
  6. BMW N53 Engine ProblemsBMW Tuning · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  7. Der BMW N53 Motor: Technische Daten, Probleme, Haltbarkeit & FahrzeuglisteCarWiki · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  8. BMW B58Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  9. BMW B58Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  10. BMW N53Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  11. BMW N52Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  12. Problemas BMW N52Total Renting · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  13. 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
  14. BMW N52 Engine ProblemsBMW Tuning · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  15. BMW N52 and N53 24 Valve Six Cylinder EnginesUnixnerd · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026