BMW B58 vs 1.2 8v: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.2 8v carries less risk than the BMW B58: 36/100 versus 38/100 (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 1.2 8v has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Damaged cylinder head gasket (coolant loss and overheating)».

Risk index

BMW B58

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.2 8v

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202615 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 1.2 8v reliable?

The 1.2 8v (D7F) is a simple naturally aspirated engine of 54 to 60 hp, with a timing belt, which Renault fitted from 1996 to the Twingo, Clio II and Kangoo. No catastrophic failures are documented; what owner reviews mention most often are the sensors, the cylinder head gasket, the coil packs and the occasional oil drip.^[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.2 8v faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B58 and 1.2 8v
Item	BMW B58	1.2 8v
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	2,998 cm³	1,149 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	290–441 hp	54–60 hp
Production	since 2015^[8][9]	1996–2012^{[10][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	38Moderate risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	5
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: Damaged cylinder head gasket (coolant loss and overheating) Medium severity: Crankshaft sensor (TDC) and other engine sensor failure Medium severity: Ignition faults: coil packs, ignition harness and humidity
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][14] B58 340-360 hp (B58B30M0, 2016-2019)^[2][3][14] B58TU 333-340 hp (B58B30M1, since 2018)^[2][3] B58TU 374 hp (B58B30O1, M340i, M440i and M240i, since 2019)^[3]	1.2 8v 54-60 hp (D7F, 1996-2012)^{[5][6][7][15]}
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 16 models with the BMW B58

1.2 8v

Other comparisons

With the BMW B58

With the 1.2 8v

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
Fiabilité Renault Clio 2 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Twingo 1993-2006 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Twingo 2 (2007-2014) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
BMW B58Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
BMW B58Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Moteur D (Renault)Wikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Renault TwingoWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Renault Twingo IWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 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
Renault Twingo (ab 1993): Schwachstellen laut TÜV-AuswertungAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published February 2002 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German