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BMW B58 vs M270/M274: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B58 carries less risk than the M270/M274: 38/100 versus 43/100 (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 M270/M274 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Camshaft breakage due to a defective weld (2015 units)».

Risk index

BMW B58

38

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

M270/M274

43

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

11 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 M270/M274 reliable?

The M270 (transverse, front-wheel drive) and the M274 (longitudinal, rear-wheel drive) are the family of turbocharged, direct-injection 4-cylinder engines that Mercedes-Benz has fitted since 2011 in 1.6 and 2.0 litres. They are generally solid engines —the timing chain no longer gives trouble— but with documented faults: camshaft breakage caused by a defective weld (2015) and, on the M274, oil leaking from the camshaft adjuster into the connector.[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the M270/M274 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B58 and M270/M274
BMW B58M270/M274
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement2,998 cm³1,991 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power290–441 hp102–245 hp
Productionsince 2015[8][9]since 2011[5][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)38Moderate risk43Moderate risk
Documented faults65
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityHigh severityCritical 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. Critical severity: Camshaft breakage due to a defective weld (2015 units)
  2. Medium severity: Oil leaking from the camshaft adjuster into the electrical connector (M274)
  3. Medium severity: Coolant leaks: thermostat and expansion tank
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €500NOx sensor failure (code P2200) on the M274Published figure[6]
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]
  • M270 1.6 turbo 102-156 hp[7]
  • M270 2.0 turbo 156-218 hp[7]
  • M274 2.0 turbo 156-245 hp[6][7]
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

M270/M274

See the 9 models with the M270/M274

Other comparisons

With the BMW B58

With the M270/M274

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. Mercedes-Benz M270 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Mercedes M274: Typische Probleme & HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Mercedes M270: Typische Probleme & HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 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. Mercedes-Benz Clase A (2012): información técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. 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