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M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9 vs Honda e:HEV / i-MMD: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD carries less risk than the M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9: 34/100 versus 42/100 (both moderate risk). The M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Failure of the plastic parts in the cooling system»; the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP)».

Risk index

M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9

42

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

34

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

12 sourcesHow we work

Is the M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9 reliable?

The M43 (1993-2002) is an 8-valve petrol four-cylinder with a timing chain that Autohints describes as one of BMW’s most durable engines of the nineties. The faults the sources cite are with ancillaries: plastic cooling parts, oil leaks from the gaskets, rough idle, ignition and, in some versions, the DISA valve.[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9 faults

Is the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD reliable?

The Honda e:HEV hybrid system (formerly i-MMD) has no serious, widespread faults documented in the sources consulted. The most cited issue is the 12 V battery going flat when the car stands unused and, on the 2.0, a recall for the high-pressure fuel pump.[4][5][6]

See the 3 of the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9 and Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power102–118 hp109–184 hp
Production1993–2002[2][7][8]since 2018[4][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)42Moderate risk34Moderate risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Failure of the plastic parts in the cooling system
  2. Medium severity: DISA intake manifold valve with play and noise
  3. Low severity: Oil leaks from gaskets (rocker cover, front cover and crankcase breather)
  1. High severity: Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP)
  2. High severity: Faulty fuel pump impeller on the 2019-2020 CR-V hybrid (Honda 6FE campaign)
  3. Low severity: 12 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to start
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €25012 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to startPublished figure[4]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • e:HEV 1.5 (LEB-H5) 109-131 hp system output (Jazz IV, HR-V III)[4][9]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • M43B16, 1.6 litre (102 hp; 1993-1999)[1][2][3]
  • M43B18, 1.8 litre (115 hp; 1993-1999)[1][10]
  • M43TUB19, 1.9 litre (105 hp; 1998-2002)[1][3][11]
  • M43TUB19, 1.9 litre (118 hp; 1998-2002)[1][3][11]
  • i-MMD 2.0 184 hp system output (CR-V V hybrid)[4][5]
  • e:HEV 2.0 184 hp system output (Civic XI)[5][12]
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

M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

Other comparisons

With the M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9

With the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

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. BMW M43B18 1.8L 115hp inline-4 cylinder engineAutoHints · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. Der BMW M43 Motor: Technische Daten, Probleme, Haltbarkeit & FahrzeuglisteCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  3. BMW M43: problemas conocidosEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  4. Sistema híbrido Honda e:HEV (i-MMD): problemas, fiabilidad y coches que lo llevanMotordex · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Honda recalls 1.3 million cars: fuel pump fire risk (KBA 14559R)Car-Recalls.eu · Motoring press · published 17 March 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026
  6. Fiabilité Honda HR-V (2022): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  7. BMW M43Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. BMW M43Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  9. Honda LEB-H5 (1.5 i-MMD e:HEV): experiencias, problemas, consumo y consejos de compraAutohints · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  10. BMW 3 Series E36 Reliability Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before BuyingEuro Premium Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. 316i M43: 17 Jahre, Standhaftigkeit erhöhen (E46)BMW-Syndikat (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. Guide d'achat Honda Civic (nueva campaña 6YP, 4.740 híbridos en Francia)L'argus · Motoring press · published 7 January 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French