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BMW N13 vs BMW N52 / N53: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW N52 / N53 carries less risk than the BMW N13: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 57/100 (high risk). The BMW N13 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner wear»; the BMW N52 / N53 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «N53 piezoelectric injector failure».

Risk index

BMW N13

57

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

BMW N52 / N53

48

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

11 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the BMW N13 faults

Is the BMW N52 / N53 reliable?

The BMW N52 (2004-2015, port injection) is considered very reliable for a BMW, with known weak points (electric water pump, oil seals, valve cover). The N53 (2007-2013, direct injection) adds piezoelectric injectors prone to failure, which make it more expensive to maintain.[4][5][6]

See the 6 of the BMW N52 / N53 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N13 and BMW N52 / N53
BMW N13BMW N52 / N53
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,598 cm³2,996 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power102–177 hp174–272 hp
Production2011–2016[1][2]2004–2015[6][7][8]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)57High risk48Moderate risk
Documented faults46
Of high or critical severity11
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner wear
  2. Medium severity: High oil consumption
  3. Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure
  1. High severity: N53 piezoelectric injector failure
  2. Medium severity: Electric water pump and thermostat failure
  3. Medium severity: Oil leak from the oil filter housing gasket
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €600Electric water pump and thermostat failurePublished figure[9]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 114i 102 hp (75 kW, 2012-2015)[2][3]
  • 116i / 316i 136 hp (100 kW, 2011-2015)[2][3]
  • 118i 170 hp (125 kW, 2011-2016)[2][3]
  • 120i 177 hp (130 kW, 2015-2016)[2][3]
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

BMW N13

BMW N52 / N53

See the 9 models with the BMW N52 / N53

Other comparisons

With the BMW N13

With the BMW N52 / N53

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 N13Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. BMW N13Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  3. 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
  4. These BMW N52 Years Have The Most ProblemsJalopnik · General press · consulted 5 October 2026
  5. BMW N53 Engine ProblemsBMW Tuning · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  6. Der BMW N53 Motor: Technische Daten, Probleme, Haltbarkeit & FahrzeuglisteCarWiki · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  7. BMW N53Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  8. BMW N52Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  9. Problemas BMW N52Total Renting · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  10. BMW N52 Engine ProblemsBMW Tuning · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  11. BMW N52 and N53 24 Valve Six Cylinder EnginesUnixnerd · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026