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M50 and M52 vs 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) carries less risk than the M50 and M52: 32/100 (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 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «1GR-FE 4.0 V6 head gasket failure».

Risk index

M50 and M52

52

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

32

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) reliable?

The sources consulted describe them as robust chain-driven engines with few documented faults: on the 4.0 V6 (1GR-FE), the water pump, head gasket on early units and the coils; on the 2.7 (2TR-FE), the front crankshaft seal in the early years. Almost all the data comes from technical websites, not official campaigns.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of M50 and M52 and 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
M50 and M522.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power150–193 hp151–281 hp
Production1990–2001[8][9][10][11]since 2002[12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)52High risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity21
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: 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 head gasket failure
  2. Medium severity: 1GR-FE 4.0 V6 water pump leaks
  3. Medium severity: 2.7 2TR-FE oil leaks from the front crankshaft seal
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 2.7 Dual VVT-i (2TR-FE, from 2015)[6][7]
  • 4.0 V6 Dual VVT-i (1GR-FE, from 2009)[4][14]
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]
  • 2.7 VVT-i (2TR-FE, 2,693 cc, 2004-2014)[6][7]
  • 4.0 V6 VVT-i (1GR-FE, 3,956 cc, from 2002)[4][5][14]
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

2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

Other comparisons

With the M50 and M52

With the 2.7 and 4.0 gasolina (2TR-FE and 1GR-FE)

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. 1GR-FE Toyota 4.0L 236 hp: ficha del motor, puntos débiles y fiabilidadAutoHints · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. The 4 Most Common Toyota 1GR-FE Engine Problems8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 29 December 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. Toyota 2TR-FE 2.7L: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. Toyota 2TR-FE Engine Guide - Specs, Reliability, & Mods8020 Automotive · Technical documentation · published 2 February 2023 · 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. Toyota TR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. Toyota GR engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. Toyota 1GR-FE 4.0L V6: ficha del motor, problemas y fiabilidadMotorReviewer · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  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