BMW N13 vs 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 carries less risk than the BMW N13: 32/100 (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 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

BMW N13

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

Moderate risk · 2 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 202615 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 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 reliable?

Simple, naturally aspirated petrol engines that, according to the sources, last a long time with regular maintenance. Gebrauchtwagenberater describes the 8-valve 1.6 as old-fashioned but reliable, and the 102 hp 1.6 MPI as even more reliable than the 1.4 16v. Watch the timing belt with the water pump, coolant leaks, oil consumption (especially on the 2.0) and idle and sensor faults.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 6 of the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N13 and 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
Item	BMW N13	1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	1,598 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	102–177 hp	75–120 hp
Production	2011–2016^[1][2]	1991–2013^{[8][9][10][11][12]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	57High risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	6
Of high or critical severity	1	2
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: Timing belt and water pump Medium severity: Coolant leaks: flange and water pump Medium severity: High oil consumption
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	up to €700Timing belt and water pumpPublished figure^[13]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	1.6 8v 100-101 hp (AEK, AFT, ADP, AEH, AKL, APF, BAH; 1994-2008)^[4][14] 1.6 8v 102 hp (AVU, BFQ, ALZ, BGU, BSE, BSF, CCSA; 2000-2013)^[5][15]
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]	1.6 8v 75 hp (ABU, AEA, AEE, 1F, ALM; 1992-2001)^[7] 2.0 8v 115-120 hp (2E, ADY, APK, AQY, AZJ and others; 1991-2010)^[4][7]
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

1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

See the 29 models with the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

Other comparisons

With the BMW N13

With the 1.6 and 2.0 8v EA827

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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
VW Golf IV (1J): Schwachstellen und KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Skoda Octavia II (1Z): Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 9 April 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Seat Leon Mk1: Probleme, Schwachstellen, ErfahrungenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 7 May 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Skoda Octavia (1997-2004) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Volkswagen EA827 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
SEAT ToledoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
VW New BeetleWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Škoda Octavia IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
SEAT ExeoWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra a la correaMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité Audi A3 (1996-2003) - pannes moteur, boîte...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Volkswagen Golf V - pannes moteur, boîte, électronique...Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French