BMW N13 vs Drive-E gasolina: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Drive-E gasolina carries less risk than the BMW N13: 43/100 (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 Drive-E gasolina has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «High oil consumption that can damage the turbo».

Risk index

BMW N13

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

Drive-E gasolina

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202610 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 Drive-E gasolina reliable?

The Volvo Drive-E petrol engine (2.0-litre 4-cylinder T2-T6/B4-B5 and, since 2018, 1.5-litre 3-cylinder T2-T3/B3) powers almost the entire Volvo range since 2013. Owners mainly document high oil consumption that can damage the turbo, carbon build-up on the intake valves caused by direct injection, and the odd coolant reservoir leak; we have not found Volvo acknowledging these faults with a campaign of its own for the petrol engine.^[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the Drive-E gasolina faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N13 and Drive-E gasolina
Item	BMW N13	Drive-E gasolina
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,598 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	102–177 hp	122–320 hp
Production	2011–2016^[1][2]	since 2013^{[4][5][6][7][8][9]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	57High risk	43Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	4
Of high or critical severity	1	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner wear Medium severity: High oil consumption Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure	High severity: High oil consumption that can damage the turbo Medium severity: Carbon build-up on injectors and intake valves due to direct injection Medium severity: Leak from the expansion tank or faulty cap in the cooling system
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
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]	2.0 T2/T3/T4/T5/T6 and B4/B5 mild hybrid 4-cylinder (B4204T, Drive-E, 2013-present)^[4][5][6] 1.5 T2/T3 and B3 mild hybrid 3-cylinder (B3154T, Drive-E, since 2018)^[8][9][10]
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

Drive-E gasolina

See the 10 models with the Drive-E gasolina

Other comparisons

With the BMW N13

With the Drive-E gasolina

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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
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Volvo XC60 II (ab 2017) – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published November 2022 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Volvo V90 – Bekannte Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published January 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Volvo Engine ArchitectureWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V40Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Volvo XC40 (seit 2017) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · published March 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French