BMW B58 vs 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 carries less risk than the BMW B58: 32/100 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 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

BMW B58

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

Moderate risk · 2 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 2 November 202619 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 2.0 8v EA827 reliable?

Simple, naturally aspirated petrol engines that, according to the sources, last a long time with regular maintenance. Gebrauchtwagenberater describes the 8-valve 1.6 as old-fashioned but reliable, and the 102 hp 1.6 MPI as even more reliable than the 1.4 16v. Watch the timing belt with the water pump, coolant leaks, oil consumption (especially on the 2.0) and idle and sensor faults.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 6 of the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B58 and 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
Item	BMW B58	1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	2,998 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	290–441 hp	75–120 hp
Production	since 2015^[9][10]	1991–2013^{[11][12][13][14][15]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	38Moderate risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	6
Of high or critical severity	1	2
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: Timing belt and water pump Medium severity: Coolant leaks: flange and water pump Medium severity: High oil consumption
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	up to €700Timing belt and water pumpPublished figure^[16]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	B58TU2 381 hp (B58B30M2, since 2022)^[2][3]	1.6 8v 100-101 hp (AEK, AFT, ADP, AEH, AKL, APF, BAH; 1994-2008)^[5][17] 1.6 8v 102 hp (AVU, BFQ, ALZ, BGU, BSE, BSF, CCSA; 2000-2013)^[6][18]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	B58 326 hp (B58B30M0, 2015-2019)^[2][3][19] B58 340-360 hp (B58B30M0, 2016-2019)^[2][3][19] B58TU 333-340 hp (B58B30M1, since 2018)^[2][3] B58TU 374 hp (B58B30O1, M340i, M440i and M240i, since 2019)^[3]	1.6 8v 75 hp (ABU, AEA, AEE, 1F, ALM; 1992-2001)^[8] 2.0 8v 115-120 hp (2E, ADY, APK, AQY, AZJ and others; 1991-2010)^[5][8]
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

1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

See the 33 models with the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

Other comparisons

With the BMW B58

With the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

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
VW Golf IV (1J): Schwachstellen und KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Skoda Octavia II (1Z): Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 April 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Seat Leon Mk1: Probleme, Schwachstellen, ErfahrungenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 7 May 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Skoda Octavia (1997-2004) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
BMW B58Wikipedia (inglés) · Encyclopedia · consulted 9 October 2026
BMW B58Wikipedia (alemán) · Encyclopedia · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
Volkswagen EA827 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
SEAT ToledoWikipedia (inglés) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
VW New BeetleWikipedia (alemán) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Škoda Octavia IIWikipedia (alemán) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
SEAT ExeoWikipedia (inglés) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra a la correaMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité Audi A3 (1996-2003) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Volkswagen Golf V - pannes moteur, boîte, électronique...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 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