BMW N13 vs 1.5 K15B (Jimny): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) carries less risk than the BMW N13: 14/100 (low risk) versus 57/100 (high risk). The BMW N13 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner wear»; the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

BMW N13

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.5 K15B (Jimny)

Low risk · 0 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 30 October 20269 sources How 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 1.5 K15B (Jimny) reliable?

The 1.5 K15B in the Suzuki Jimny is a 102 hp naturally aspirated four-cylinder with a timing chain, simple and with no documented faults of its own. The only thing recorded in Europe is a 2018-2020 recall for the fuel pump, precautionary and with a definitive remedy.^[4][5][6]

See the of the 1.5 K15B (Jimny) fault

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N13 and 1.5 K15B (Jimny)
Item	BMW N13	1.5 K15B (Jimny)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,598 cm³	1,462 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	102–177 hp	102 hp
Production	2011–2016^[1][2]	since 2018^[7][8][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	57High risk	14Low risk
Documented faults	4	1
Of high or critical severity	1	0
Worst severity	Critical severity	Medium severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner wear Medium severity: High oil consumption Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure	Medium severity: Fuel pump with resin impeller that swells (recall)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.5 K15B 102 hp (Jimny IV, 2018-present)^[4][5][6]
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]	None
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

BMW N13

1.5 K15B (Jimny)

Suzuki Jimny IV

Other comparisons

With the BMW N13

With the 1.5 K15B (Jimny)

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Sources

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

BMW N13Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW N13Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
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
Problemas Suzuki JimnyTotalrenting · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki Jimny: problemas comunes y llamadas a revisióncar-recalls.eu · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki Jimny Problemecarwiki.de · General press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in German
Suzuki K engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026
Suzuki motor KWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Suzuki JimnyWikipedia · Other source · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish