BMW B58 vs 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v carries less risk than the BMW B58: 23/100 (low risk) versus 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 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

BMW B58

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 9 October 202616 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 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v reliable?

The 1.6 and 1.8 16v Ecotec (Z16XER/A16XER, Z18XER/A18XER) that Opel fitted between 2005 and 2015 to the Astra H and J, Zafira B, Vectra C and Insignia A have a reputation as reliable naturally aspirated engines: the sources consulted document no serious faults or failure patterns, only minor problems such as ignition coils and, on the 1.8, leaks from the oil cooler or thermostat.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 3 of the 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B58 and 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v
Item	BMW B58	1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	2,998 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	290–441 hp	115–140 hp
Production	since 2015^[9][10]	2005–2015^{[11][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	38Moderate risk	23Low risk
Documented faults	6	3
Of high or critical severity	1	0
Worst severity	High severity	Medium 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)	Medium severity: Oil and coolant leak or mixing via the oil cooler (1.8) Medium severity: Coolant loss through the thermostat or water pump Low severity: Ignition coil failures
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	B58TU2 381 hp (B58B30M2, since 2022)^[2][3]	1.6 16V Ecotec 115 hp (Z16XER/A16XER, 2006-2015)^[5][6][7] 1.8 16V Ecotec 140 hp (Z18XER/A18XER, 2005-2014)^[5][8][15]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	B58 326 hp (B58B30M0, 2015-2019)^[2][3][16] B58 340-360 hp (B58B30M0, 2016-2019)^[2][3][16] B58TU 333-340 hp (B58B30M1, since 2018)^[2][3] B58TU 374 hp (B58B30O1, M340i, M440i and M240i, since 2019)^[3]	None
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

1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v

Other comparisons

With the BMW B58

With the 1.6 and 1.8 Ecotec 16v

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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
Opel Insignia A – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Opel Astra (H): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Opel Zafira 2 (B): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Opel Insignia (A): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
BMW B58Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
BMW B58Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Opel Astra HWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel ZafiraWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Astra JWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Astra J – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Vectra C: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 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