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BMW N13 vs BMW N54/N55: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW N54/N55 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 N54/N55 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure».

Risk index

BMW N13

57

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

BMW N54/N55

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

9 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 N54/N55 reliable?

The N54 (2006-2016) is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six with many documented faults: high-pressure pump, injectors and wastegates. The N55 (2009-2019) uses a single turbo and is considered simpler, although it shares oil leaks from the filter housing and the electric water pump.[4][5][6][7]

See the 6 of the BMW N54/N55 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N13 and BMW N54/N55
BMW N13BMW N54/N55
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement1,598 cm³2,979 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power102–177 hp302–335 hp
Production2011–2016[1][2]2006–2019[4][5]
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: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure
  2. Medium severity: N54 piezoelectric injector failure
  3. Medium severity: Turbo wastegate noise and failure
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
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 N54/N55

See the 13 models with the BMW N54/N55

Other comparisons

With the BMW N13

With the BMW N54/N55

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. BMW N54Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  5. BMW N55Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  6. Todo lo que necesitas saber sobre el motor BMW N54High Performance Academy · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
  7. BMW N55 Typische Probleme und HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 23 February 2025 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
  8. The Definitive Guide to the BMW N54 EngineFCP Euro · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
  9. BMW N55 Common ProblemsBMW Tuning · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026