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BMW N43/N46 vs E-Tech Híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the E-Tech Híbrido carries less risk than the BMW N43/N46: 32/100 (moderate 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 E-Tech Híbrido has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)».

Risk index

BMW N43/N46

59

High risk · 1 serious fault

Risk index

E-Tech Híbrido

32

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

15 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 E-Tech Híbrido reliable?

The E-Tech combines a combustion engine (1.6 H4M naturally aspirated or 1.2 HR12 turbo) with electric motors and a multi-mode gearbox with no clutch or torque converter. Its best-documented weak point is the gearbox itself: reports from the Clio, Captur, Arkana, Austral, Duster and Jogger describe warnings of a risk of breakage, and Renault has launched two campaigns since 2020 (an electrical fault and a primary shaft seal). The 12 V battery also fails fairly often.[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the E-Tech Híbrido faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N43/N46 and E-Tech Híbrido
BMW N43/N46E-Tech Híbrido
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement—1,598 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power121–170 hp140–200 hp
Production2004–2012[1][2][8][9]since 2020[5][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)59High risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults44
Of high or critical severity12
Worst severityCritical severityHigh 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. High severity: Multi-mode gearbox failure (risk of breakage)
  2. High severity: Stalling and injection warnings on the 1.2 E-Tech 200 (HR12)
  3. Medium severity: Hybrid system electrical fault with "DANGER" warning and car won't start
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
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][12]
  • N43B16 121 hp, 1.6 litres (2007-2011)[1][3]
  • N43B20 121-168 hp, 2.0 litres (2007-2013)[1][3]
  • 1.6 E-Tech Full Hybrid 140-145 (H4M, 2020+)[6][13]
  • 1.6 E-Tech Plug-in Hybrid 160 (H4M, 2020-2023)[14]
  • 1.2 E-Tech Full Hybrid 200 (HR12 turbo, 2022+)[7][15]
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

E-Tech Híbrido

See the 12 models with the E-Tech Híbrido

Other comparisons

With the BMW N43/N46

With the E-Tech Híbrido

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. Renault Clio VWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité et pannes de la Renault Clio 5Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault AustralFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  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. Renault Captur IIWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Renault AustralWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. BMW X1 E84 – Bekannte Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · published 9 May 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault ArkanaFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Captur IIFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Fiabilité et pannes du Renault Espace 6Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French