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M50 and M52 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 M50 and M52: 34/100 (moderate risk) versus 52/100 (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 Honda e:HEV / i-MMD has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP)».

Risk index

M50 and M52

52

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

15 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 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 M50 and M52 and Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
M50 and M52Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power150–193 hp109–184 hp
Production1990–2001[7][8][9][10]since 2018[4][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)52High risk34Moderate risk
Documented faults53
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityCritical severityHigh 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. 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][11]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • M50B20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1990-1995)[12][13]
  • M50B25, 2.5 litre (192 hp; 1990-1995)[12][13]
  • M52B20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1994-1999)[8][12]
  • M52B25, 2.5 litre (170 hp; 1995-1999)[8][12]
  • M52B28, 2.8 litre (193 hp; 1995-1999)[8][12][14]
  • M52TUB20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1998-2001)[7][12]
  • M52TUB25, 2.5 litre (170 hp; 1998-2000)[7][12]
  • M52TUB28, 2.8 litre (193 hp; 1998-2001)[3][7][12]
  • 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][15]
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

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

Other comparisons

With the M50 and M52

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 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. 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 M52Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. BMW M52Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  9. BMW M50Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. BMW M50Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Honda LEB-H5 (1.5 i-MMD e:HEV): experiencias, problemas, consumo y consejos de compraAutohints · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  12. BMW M50 / M52: problemas conocidosEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Der BMW M50 Motor: Technische Daten, Probleme, Haltbarkeit & FahrzeuglisteCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. BMW Z3 Reliability Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before BuyingEuro Premium Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  15. 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