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M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9 vs 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) carries less risk than the M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9: 27/100 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 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9

42

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

27

Moderate 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

18 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 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) reliable?

Suzuki's M series (the 1.3-litre M13A, 1.5-litre M15A and 1.6-litre M16A, with a timing chain and indirect injection) has a reputation as a simple, reliable engine: we have found no documented serious fault in the block or the chain. What is on record are minor faults or one-off campaigns: the catalytic converter and lambda sensors of the 2005-2010 Swift, the catalytic converter of the 2006-2007 SX4, the Swift's fuel hose and the Grand Vitara and Jimny tensioner pulley.[4][5][6][7][8][9]

See the 4 of the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9 and 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.91.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power102–118 hp83–136 hp
Production1993–2002[2][10][11]since 1999[4][5][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)42Moderate risk27Moderate risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity10
Worst severityHigh severityMedium 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. Medium severity: Faulty catalytic converter and lambda sensors on the 2005-2010 Swift (engine warning light)
  2. Medium severity: Accessory belt tensioner pulley on the Grand Vitara 1.6 and Jimny 1.3 (2010 campaign)
  3. Medium severity: Fuel hose damaged by rubbing on the Swift 1.3 and 1.5 (2005-2008)
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.3 M13A 83-92 CV (Swift, Ignis and Jimny, 2003-2018)[5][6][9]
  • 1.5 M15A 99-109 CV (Swift, SX4 and Ignis, 2003-2012)[7][13]
  • 1.6 M16A 120-136 CV (SX4, Sedici, S-Cross, Vitara and Swift Sport, 2009-2018)[14][15][16]
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][17]
  • M43TUB19, 1.9 litre (105 hp; 1998-2002)[1][3][18]
  • M43TUB19, 1.9 litre (118 hp; 1998-2002)[1][3][18]
  • 1.6 M16A 107-125 CV (Swift Sport, SX4, Sedici and Grand Vitara, 2005-2009)[5][6][7]
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

1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

See the 11 models with the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

Other comparisons

With the M43 1.6, 1.8 and 1.9

With the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 gasolina (serie M)

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 · Buying guide or workshop · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  3. BMW M43: problemas conocidosEnginescope · Buying guide or workshop · consulted 2 November 2026
  4. Suzuki M engineWikipedia · Encyclopedia · consulted 8 October 2026
  5. Suzuki Swift MK4 MZ 2005-2010: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  6. Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift (2005-2010)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  7. Rückruf Suzuki SX4AUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 7 April 2008 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  8. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  9. Por 7.000 € puedes tener un Suzuki Jimny: guía de segunda manoDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 10 January 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  10. BMW M43Wikipedia (inglés) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. BMW M43Wikipedia (alemán) · Encyclopedia · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. Suzuki SX4 1.6 VVT 4x2 GL (2010-2012): datoskm77.com · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Suzuki SX4: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  14. Suzuki Vitara (ab 2015): Bekannte Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  15. Suzuki SX4 S-Cross JY 2013-2021: Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  16. Fiabilité et pannes Suzuki Swift 2 (2010-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  17. BMW 3 Series E36 Reliability Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before BuyingEuro Premium Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  18. 316i M43: 17 Jahre, Standhaftigkeit erhöhen (E46)BMW-Syndikat (foro) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German