M50 and M52 vs BMW N13: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the M50 and M52 carries less risk than the BMW N13: 52/100 versus 57/100 (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 BMW N13 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner wear».

Risk index

M50 and M52

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW N13

High risk · 1 serious fault

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202613 sources How 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 BMW N13 reliable?

The BMW N13 (2011-2016), BMW's first turbocharged four-cylinder in three decades, powered the 114i, 116i, 118i and 120i (F20/F21) and the 316i (F30). It derives from the Prince engine developed with PSA, the same origin as the 1.6 THP. In 2013 BMW issued a technical service bulletin over timing chain and tensioner wear; oil consumption and carbon build-up on the injectors are other weak points shared with that family.^[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the BMW N13 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of M50 and M52 and BMW N13
Item	M50 and M52	BMW N13
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,598 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	150–193 hp	102–177 hp
Production	1990–2001^{[7][8][9][10]}	2011–2016^[4][5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	52High risk	57High risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Cooling system failure (expansion tank, thermostat, pump and radiator) Critical severity: Premature cylinder wear (Nikasil coating) Medium severity: Worn VANOS seals	Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner wear Medium severity: High oil consumption Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	M50B20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1990-1995)^[11][12] M50B25, 2.5 litre (192 hp; 1990-1995)^[11][12] M52B20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1994-1999)^[8][11] M52B25, 2.5 litre (170 hp; 1995-1999)^[8][11] M52B28, 2.8 litre (193 hp; 1995-1999)^[8][11][13] M52TUB20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1998-2001)^[7][11] M52TUB25, 2.5 litre (170 hp; 1998-2000)^[7][11] M52TUB28, 2.8 litre (193 hp; 1998-2001)^[3][7][11]	114i 102 hp (75 kW, 2012-2015)^[5][6] 116i / 316i 136 hp (100 kW, 2011-2015)^[5][6] 118i 170 hp (125 kW, 2011-2016)^[5][6] 120i 177 hp (130 kW, 2015-2016)^[5][6]
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

M50 and M52

BMW N13

Other comparisons

With the M50 and M52

With the BMW N13

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

BMW 3 Series E36 320i (M52B20): reliabilityEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
BMW M52 reliabilityAutoscore · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
BMW M52 Engine: Performance, Reliability, and TuningBMWBlog · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026
BMW N13Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW N13Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Tickende Zeitbombe: So zuverlässig ist der Prince-Motor von PSA und BMWGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 13 March 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
BMW M52Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
BMW M52Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
BMW M50Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
BMW M50Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
BMW M50 / M52: problemas conocidosEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Der BMW M50 Motor: Technische Daten, Probleme, Haltbarkeit & FahrzeuglisteCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
BMW Z3 Reliability Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before BuyingEuro Premium Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026