Skip to content
MotorFiable

M50 and M52 vs M60 and M62: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the M50 and M52 carries less risk than the M60 and M62: 52/100 versus 63/100 (both high risk). The M50 and M52 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cooling system failure (expansion tank, thermostat, pump and radiator)»; the M60 and M62 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken or worn plastic timing chain guides».

Risk index

M50 and M52

52

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

M60 and M62

63

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

17 sourcesHow we work

Is the M50 and M52 reliable?

The M52 and its predecessor the M50 are six-cylinder petrol engines that the sources describe as durable: Enginescope considers 300,000 km routine with the cooling circuit looked after. Watch the plastic cooling parts, VANOS, crankcase ventilation and oil leaks and, in the aluminium-block M52s built from 1995 to March 1998, cylinder wear caused by sulphur (Nikasil).[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the M50 and M52 faults

Is the M60 and M62 reliable?

BMW's M60 and M62 V8s have a reputation for durability if the cooling system is looked after, but the M62 carries two well-documented weak points: the plastic chain guides of the timing chain and, from 1998, the VANOS seals. The M60 suffered cylinder wear from Nikasil with sulphur-contaminated petrol.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the M60 and M62 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of M50 and M52 and M60 and M62
M50 and M52M60 and M62
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power150–193 hp218–347 hp
Production1990–2001[8][9][10][11]1992–2005[7][12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)52High risk63High risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Cooling system failure (expansion tank, thermostat, pump and radiator)
  2. Critical severity: Premature cylinder wear (Nikasil coating)
  3. Medium severity: Worn VANOS seals
  1. Critical severity: Broken or worn plastic timing chain guides
  2. Critical severity: Cylinder wear in the M60 (and some early M62s) from the Nikasil coating
  3. Medium severity: Worn seals on the M62 TU VANOS unit
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • M50B20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1990-1995)[15][16]
  • M50B25, 2.5 litre (192 hp; 1990-1995)[15][16]
  • M52B20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1994-1999)[9][15]
  • M52B25, 2.5 litre (170 hp; 1995-1999)[9][15]
  • M52B28, 2.8 litre (193 hp; 1995-1999)[9][15][17]
  • M52TUB20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1998-2001)[8][15]
  • M52TUB25, 2.5 litre (170 hp; 1998-2000)[8][15]
  • M52TUB28, 2.8 litre (193 hp; 1998-2001)[3][8][15]
  • M60B30, 3.0 litres (218 hp; 1992-1996)[4][5][7]
  • M60B40, 4.0 litres (286 hp; 1992-1996)[4][6][7]
  • M62B35, 3.5 litres (235 hp; 1996-1998)[4][5]
  • M62TUB35, 3.5 litres (238-245 hp; 1998-2003)[4][5]
  • M62B44, 4.4 litres (286 hp; 1996-1998)[4][5]
  • M62TUB44, 4.4 litres (286 hp; 1998-2005)[4][5]
  • M62TUB46, 4.6 litres (347 hp; 2002-2004)[4][5]
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

M50 and M52

M60 and M62

Other comparisons

With the M50 and M52

With the M60 and M62

Compare other engines

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.

  1. BMW 3 Series E36 320i (M52B20): reliabilityEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  2. BMW M52 reliabilityAutoscore · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  3. BMW M52 Engine: Performance, Reliability, and TuningBMWBlog · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
  4. BMW M62 V8 Engine Guide: Problems, Reliability, TuningBMWBlog · Motoring press · published 27 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. BMW M62 4.4 V8 (1996-2003): problemas conocidosEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. BMW 7er (1994-2002): Schwachstellen und MotorenAuto Bild · Motoring press · published 25 February 2002 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  7. BMW M60Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. BMW M52Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. BMW M52Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  10. BMW M50Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. BMW M50Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. BMW M60Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. BMW M62Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. BMW M62Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. BMW M50 / M52: problemas conocidosEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  16. Der BMW M50 Motor: Technische Daten, Probleme, Haltbarkeit & FahrzeuglisteCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  17. BMW Z3 Reliability Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before BuyingEuro Premium Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026