M60 and M62 vs 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power carries less risk than the M60 and M62: 36/100 (moderate risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). The M60 and M62 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken or worn plastic timing chain guides»; the 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Safe mode due to battery controller calibration (loss of propulsion)».

Risk index

M60 and M62

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 2 November 202614 sources How we work

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.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the M60 and M62 faults

Is the 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power reliable?

There is still little reliability data: the three-cylinder 1.5 VC-Turbo only generates electricity and no mechanical faults are known in Europe. The documented weak points are in the e-Power electronics: battery campaigns and isolated cases of immobilisation.^[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of M60 and M62 and 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power
Item	M60 and M62	1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,497 cm³
Timing	Chain	—
Power	218–347 hp	190–213 hp
Production	1992–2005^{[4][8][9][10]}	since 2022^{[11][12][13][14]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	63High risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Broken or worn plastic timing chain guides Critical severity: Cylinder wear in the M60 (and some early M62s) from the Nikasil coating Medium severity: Worn seals on the M62 TU VANOS unit	High severity: Safe mode due to battery controller calibration (loss of propulsion) High severity: Fuel line that slips out of its clip and may leak Medium severity: e-Power warning and limited mode due to incorrect state-of-charge reading
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	M60B30, 3.0 litres (218 hp; 1992-1996)^[1][2][4] M60B40, 4.0 litres (286 hp; 1992-1996)^[1][3][4] M62B35, 3.5 litres (235 hp; 1996-1998)^[1][2] M62TUB35, 3.5 litres (238-245 hp; 1998-2003)^[1][2] M62B44, 4.4 litres (286 hp; 1996-1998)^[1][2] M62TUB44, 4.4 litres (286 hp; 1998-2005)^[1][2] M62TUB46, 4.6 litres (347 hp; 2002-2004)^[1][2]	1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power 190 hp (Qashqai J12, since 2022)^[5][6][7] 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power 204 hp (X-Trail T33, front-wheel drive, since 2022)^[5][11] 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power e-4ORCE 213 hp (X-Trail T33, all-wheel drive, since 2022)^[11][13]
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

M60 and M62

1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power

Other comparisons

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With the 1.5 VC-Turbo e-Power

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Sources

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

BMW M62 V8 Engine Guide: Problems, Reliability, TuningBMWBlog · Motoring press · published 27 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
BMW M62 4.4 V8 (1996-2003): problemas conocidosEnginescope · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
BMW 7er (1994-2002): Schwachstellen und MotorenAuto Bild · Motoring press · published 25 February 2002 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
BMW M60Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Fiabilidad y averías del Nissan Qashqai 3 (2021)fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French
Nissan Qashqai: richiamo per la batteria del sistema ibridoalVolante · Motoring press · published 4 August 2026 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Italian
Nissanowski SUV z usterką systemu zarządzania akumulatoremAutokatalog.pl · Motoring press · published 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in another language
BMW M60Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
BMW M62Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
BMW M62Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Nissan X-Trail - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Nissan KR engine - WikipediaWikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Nissan X-Trail (T33) - Wikipedia (versión alemana)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026 · in German
Nissan z novim Qashqaijem uvaja e-Power v EvropiRTV Slovenija · General press · published 19 February 2021 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in another language