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BMW N43/N46 vs 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the BMW N43/N46: 19/100 (low risk) versus 59/100 (high risk). The BMW N43/N46 has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Wear and breakage of the timing chain guides»; the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

BMW N43/N46

59

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

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

16 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW N43/N46 reliable?

The BMW N43 and N46 (2004-2012) are naturally aspirated four-cylinder engines fitted to the 1 Series E87, 3 Series E90, X1 E84 and Z4 E85/E86, among others. They have a reputation for being solid if properly maintained, but share well-known wear of the timing chain guides and tensioner, of the Valvetronic and of the VANOS valves; the direct-injection N43 adds documented failures of the injectors, ignition coils and the NOx sensor.[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the BMW N43/N46 faults

Is the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II reliable?

The 1.4 and 1.6 16v GM Daewoo E-TEC II (first-generation Lacetti/Optra and Aveo) have a timing belt and, according to the Polish press, a moderate fault record. Documented issues are faulty valves in the first units (2004-2005), lambda sensor faults and a few cases of oil leaks or oil consumption.[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N43/N46 and 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
BMW N43/N461.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power121–170 hp83–109 hp
Production2004–2012[1][2][8][9]2004–2011[10][11][12][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)59High risk19Low risk
Documented faults43
Of high or critical severity10
Worst severityCritical severityMedium severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Wear and breakage of the timing chain guides
  2. Medium severity: Injector, ignition coil and NOx sensor failures (N43)
  3. Medium severity: Wear of the Valvetronic and the VANOS solenoid valves
  1. Medium severity: Faulty valves and ignition faults in the first units (2004-2005)
  2. Low severity: Lambda sensor faults
  3. Low severity: Oil consumption and oil leaks
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.4 and 1.5 8v SOHC (Aveo, 2005-2011)[7][14]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • N46B20 127-148 hp, indirect injection (2004-2007)[3][4]
  • N46NB20 150-170 hp, revised ECU (2006-2012)[3][4][15]
  • N43B16 121 hp, 1.6 litres (2007-2011)[1][3]
  • N43B20 121-168 hp, 2.0 litres (2007-2013)[1][3]
  • 1.4 16v DOHC 95-101 hp (F14D4/L95, 2004-2011)[5][6][14]
  • 1.6 16v DOHC 103-109 hp (L91/LXT, 2004-2011)[6][14][16]
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 N43/N46

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

Other comparisons

With the BMW N43/N46

With the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

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 N43Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. BMW N46Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. BMW N43: Bei diesem Benziner ist Ärger vorprogrammiertGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  4. BMW N46: Typische Probleme & HaltbarkeitGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4 16V - Niełatwo zdobyć zaufanieAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 19 November 2007 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  6. Bez fajerwerków - Chevrolet Lacetti (2003-2010)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 7 April 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  7. Czy warto kupić: używany Chevrolet Aveo (od 2002 do 2011)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 5 March 2013 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  8. BMW N43Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. BMW N46Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  11. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  13. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  14. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  15. BMW X1 E84 – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 9 May 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  16. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language