BMW B58 vs BMW N54/N55: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B58 carries less risk than the BMW N54/N55: 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 N54/N55 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure».

Risk index

BMW B58

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW N54/N55

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 9 October 202613 sources How 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 N54/N55 reliable?

The N54 (2006-2016) is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six with many documented faults: high-pressure pump, injectors and wastegates. The N55 (2009-2019) uses a single turbo and is considered simpler, although it shares oil leaks from the filter housing and the electric water pump.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 6 of the BMW N54/N55 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B58 and BMW N54/N55
Item	BMW B58	BMW N54/N55
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	2,998 cm³	2,979 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	290–441 hp	302–335 hp
Production	since 2015^[9][10]	2006–2019^[5][6]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	38Moderate risk	48Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	6
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	High severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Failure of the oil pump with a plastic rotor housing Medium severity: Oil and coolant leak from the plastic oil filter housing Medium severity: Failure of the crankcase ventilation PCV valve (integrated in the valve cover)	High severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure Medium severity: N54 piezoelectric injector failure Medium severity: Turbo wastegate noise and failure
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No 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][11] B58 340-360 hp (B58B30M0, 2016-2019)^[2][3][11] B58TU 333-340 hp (B58B30M1, since 2018)^[2][3] B58TU 374 hp (B58B30O1, M340i, M440i and M240i, since 2019)^[3]	N54B30 302 hp (2006-2010)^[5][7][12] N54 322 hp (2008-2013)^[5][7][12] N54 335 hp (2011-2016)^[5][7][12] N55B30M0 302 hp (2009-2018)^[6][8][13] N55B30 315 hp (2011-2018)^[6][8][13] N55B30O0 322 hp (2014-2016)^[6][8][13] N55HP 335 hp (2013-2015)^[6][8][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 B58

See the 15 models with the BMW B58

BMW N54/N55

See the 13 models with the BMW N54/N55

Other comparisons

With the BMW B58

With the BMW N54/N55

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

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.

The 5 Most Common BMW B58 Engine ProblemsBMW Tuning · Technical documentation · published 7 February 2020 · consulted 9 October 2026
BMW B58 EngineFCP Euro · Technical documentation · consulted 9 October 2026
The Popular BMW B58 Inline-Six Engine Has One Big Achilles HeelThe Autopian · Motoring press · published 14 June 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026
¿En qué se diferencian los motores B58 y S58 de BMW?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 27 April 2024 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in Spanish
BMW N54Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
BMW N55Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Todo lo que necesitas saber sobre el motor BMW N54High Performance Academy · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
BMW N55 Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 23 February 2025 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
BMW B58Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
BMW B58Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
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
The Definitive Guide to the BMW N54 EngineFCP Euro · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
BMW N55 Common ProblemsBMW Tuning · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026