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M50 and M52 vs 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 carries less risk than the M50 and M52: 50/100 versus 52/100 (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 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Engine noise and premature wear from lubrication in the 1.0 VHT».

Risk index

M50 and M52

52

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

50

High 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

26 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 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 reliable?

Eight-valve petrol engines, simple, with a timing belt. For the European 1.0 and 1.4, sources only record isolated incidents, mainly ignition faults in damp weather on the 1.4. In Brazil, the 2008-2010 1.0 VHT of the Gol, Voyage and Fox suffered lubrication-related noise, an oil campaign with extended warranty and a software recall in 2009.[4][5][6][7]

See the 4 of the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of M50 and M52 and 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
M50 and M521.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power150–193 hp50–104 hp
Production1990–2001[8][9][10][11]1991–2022[12][13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)52High risk50High risk
Documented faults54
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. High severity: Engine noise and premature wear from lubrication in the 1.0 VHT
  2. Critical severity: Hard cold starting and software update for the 2009-2010 1.0
  3. Medium severity: Thermostat, housing and water pump of the cooling circuit
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.0 8v 50 hp (AER, ALD, ALL, ANV, AUC; 1996-2005)[16][17]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • M50B20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1990-1995)[18][19]
  • M50B25, 2.5 litre (192 hp; 1990-1995)[18][19]
  • M52B20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1994-1999)[9][18]
  • M52B25, 2.5 litre (170 hp; 1995-1999)[9][18]
  • M52B28, 2.8 litre (193 hp; 1995-1999)[9][18][20]
  • M52TUB20, 2.0 litre (150 hp; 1998-2001)[8][18]
  • M52TUB25, 2.5 litre (170 hp; 1998-2000)[8][18]
  • M52TUB28, 2.8 litre (193 hp; 1998-2001)[3][8][18]
  • 1.4 8v 55-60 hp (ABD, AKP, AEX, AKV, APQ, ANX, ANW; 1991-2005)[6][7]
  • 1.0 8v Mi and Total Flex (Brazilian EA-111, 1997-2008)[4][21][22][23]
  • 1.0 8v VHT flex (EA-111, 2008-2022)[4][21][24][25]
  • 1.6 8v Total Flex (Brazilian EA-111, 2003-2022)[21][26]
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

1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

See the 9 models with the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

Other comparisons

With the M50 and M52

With the 1.0, 1.4 and 1.6 8v EA111

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. A VW e o problema dos motores 1.0Motorshow · Motoring press · published 1 December 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  5. Volkswagen faz recall do novo Gol, Voyage e Fox 1.0Vrum · Motoring press · published 17 August 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  6. Fiabilité Volkswagen Polo III (1994-2001) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  7. Volkswagen Polo III: averías notificadas por los usuariosAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  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. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  13. VW Golf IIIWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Volkswagen GolWikipedia (pt) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  15. Troca de bomba d'água e correia de sincronismo do Gol G5 EA111Revista O Mecânico · Motoring press · published 7 March 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  16. Fiabilité Volkswagen Lupo (1998-2005) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  17. Volkswagen Lupo (1998–2005): opiniones por motorizaciónAutoCentrum.pl · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  18. BMW M50 / M52: problemas conocidosEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  19. Der BMW M50 Motor: Technische Daten, Probleme, Haltbarkeit & FahrzeuglisteCarWiki.de · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  20. BMW Z3 Reliability Guide: Everything You Need to Know Before BuyingEuro Premium Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026
  21. Justiça do RS determina recall de 400 mil veículos da VolkswagenOlhar Direto (con G1) · General press · published 13 January 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  22. Substituição de bobina, cabos e velas de ignição do Volkswagen Fox 1.0Revista O Mecânico · Motoring press · published 1 December 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  23. Volkswagen Gol: os 5 maiores defeitos crônicos do queridinho do BrasilVrum · Motoring press · published 9 April 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  24. Mais um recall e mais uma marca colocada à provaMecânica Online · Motoring press · published 1 November 2009 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  25. Tribunal revoga recall para Gol, Voyage e FoxiCarros · Motoring press · published 16 January 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese
  26. Este é o motor Volkswagen que consumia mais óleo que gasolinaClick Petróleo e Gás · General press · published 12 June 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Portuguese