BMW B58 vs 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B58 carries less risk than the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec: 38/100 (moderate risk) versus 59/100 (high risk). The BMW B58 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Failure of the oil pump with a plastic rotor housing»; the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain stretch and breakage».

Risk index

BMW B58

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

Risk index

1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec

High 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 202617 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 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec reliable?

The naturally aspirated 1.0, 1.2 and 1.4 Ecotec engines from Opel/Vauxhall (GM Family 0; Z10XEP, Z12XEP/A12XER, Z14XEP/A14XER) powered much of the brand's small-car range between 2003 and 2019. It is a simple block with no systematically documented catastrophic engine failures, but with a timing chain tensioner that, according to several sources, does not last well, frequent coil failures and water pump or thermostat problems, and an Easytronic gearbox criticised for the way it changes gear.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10]}

See the 6 of the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B58 and 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec
Item	BMW B58	1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	2,998 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	290–441 hp	60–100 hp
Production	since 2015^[11][12]	2003–2019^[13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	38Moderate risk	59High risk
Documented faults	6	6
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	High severity	Critical 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)	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch and breakage Medium severity: Oil leaks and increased consumption Medium severity: Ignition coil failure
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	up to €1,400Timing chain stretch and breakagePublished figure^[16]
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][17] B58 340-360 hp (B58B30M0, 2016-2019)^[2][3][17] B58TU 333-340 hp (B58B30M1, since 2018)^[2][3] B58TU 374 hp (B58B30O1, M340i, M440i and M240i, since 2019)^[3]	Z10XEP / Z12XEP / Z14XEP Twinport (2003-2009)^[5][6][7][8] A10XEP / A12XEL / A12XER / A14XEL / A14XER / A14XFL (2008-2019)^[5][9]
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

1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec

See the 8 models with the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec

Other comparisons

With the BMW B58

With the 1.0/1.2/1.4 Ecotec

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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
Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Corsa 3 : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Astra (2004-2010) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Meriva (2003-2009) : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Adam : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Astra H: Probleme & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
BMW B58Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
BMW B58Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
GM Family 0 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Opel Corsa CWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel AdamWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Opel Corsa 4 : fiabilité, pannes et rappelsFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
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