Skip to content
MotorFiable

BMW B58 vs M111: which engine is more reliable?

The BMW B58 and the M111 tie on our risk index: 38/100 (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 M111 has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

BMW B58

38

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

M111

38

Moderate risk · 0 serious faults

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

10 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 M111 reliable?

The M111 is the four-cylinder petrol engine Mercedes-Benz fitted from 1992 to 2006 in the C-Class (W202 and the early years of the W203), the E-Class (W210), the CLK (C208), the SLK (R170) and the Sprinter, in naturally aspirated form and with a mechanical supercharger (Kompressor). A German used-car guide describes it as reliable when well maintained, with limited weak points: the head gasket and an oil leak into the camshaft adjuster wiring.[5][6]

See the 5 of the M111 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B58 and M111
BMW B58M111
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement2,998 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power290–441 hp122–197 hp
Productionsince 2015[7][8]1992–2006[5][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)38Moderate risk38Moderate risk
Documented faults65
Of high or critical severity10
Worst severityHigh severityMedium 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. Medium severity: Head gasket failure with coolant loss
  2. Medium severity: Camshaft adjuster oil leak into the wiring
  3. Medium severity: Mechanical supercharger (Kompressor) wear at high mileage
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][10]
  • B58 340-360 hp (B58B30M0, 2016-2019)[2][3][10]
  • B58TU 333-340 hp (B58B30M1, since 2018)[2][3]
  • B58TU 374 hp (B58B30O1, M340i, M440i and M240i, since 2019)[3]
  • M111 naturally aspirated 1.8/2.0/2.2/2.3 (E18/E20/E22/E23)[5][6]
  • M111 Kompressor 2.0/2.3 (E20 ML/E23 ML)[5][6]
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

M111

Other comparisons

With the BMW B58

With the M111

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. 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. Mercedes-Benz M111 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Mercedes M111: Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. BMW B58Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  8. BMW B58Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  9. Mercedes-Benz M 111Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. 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