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BMW N62 / N63 vs Honda e:HEV / i-MMD: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD carries less risk than the BMW N62 / N63: 34/100 (moderate risk) versus 54/100 (high risk). The BMW N62 / N63 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «N63 oil consumption from worn valve stem seals»; the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP)».

Risk index

BMW N62 / N63

54

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

34

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

16 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW N62 / N63 reliable?

The N62 (naturally aspirated V8, 2001-2010) is considered a solid engine, with the coolant hoses and valve stem seals as points to watch. The N63 (twin-turbo V8, since 2008) has a worse reputation: oil consumption from the seals, the timing chain and coolant loss; the post-July 2013 N63TU is considered more reliable.[1][2][3][4][5]

See the 6 of the BMW N62 / N63 faults

Is the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD reliable?

The Honda e:HEV hybrid system (formerly i-MMD) has no serious, widespread faults documented in the sources consulted. The most cited issue is the 12 V battery going flat when the car stands unused and, on the 2.0, a recall for the high-pressure fuel pump.[6][7][8]

See the 3 of the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N62 / N63 and Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
BMW N62 / N63Honda e:HEV / i-MMD
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power272–450 hp109–184 hp
Productionsince 2001[3][9][10][11]since 2018[6][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)54High risk34Moderate risk
Documented faults63
Of high or critical severity32
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: N63 oil consumption from worn valve stem seals
  2. Critical severity: N63 timing chain stretch and guide breakage
  3. Critical severity: Additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fire
  1. High severity: Cracked high-pressure fuel pump (Honda campaign 6YP)
  2. High severity: Faulty fuel pump impeller on the 2019-2020 CR-V hybrid (Honda 6FE campaign)
  3. Low severity: 12 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to start
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataup to €25012 V battery going flat and hybrid system failing to startPublished figure[6]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • N62B48TU 4.8 naturally aspirated 355-367 hp (550i, 650i, 750i, X5 4.8i; 2005-2010)[2][4]
  • e:HEV 1.5 (LEB-H5) 109-131 hp system output (Jazz IV, HR-V III)[6][12]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • N62B36 3.6 naturally aspirated 272 hp (735i, 2001-2005)[1][4]
  • N62B40 4.0 naturally aspirated 306 hp (540i and 740i, 2005-2010)[1][5]
  • N62B44 4.4 naturally aspirated 320-333 hp (545i, 645Ci, 745i, X5 4.4i; 2001-2006)[1][5][13]
  • N62B48 4.8 naturally aspirated 360 hp (X5 4.8is, 2004-2006)[14]
  • N63B44O1 (N63TU) 4.4 twin-turbo 450 hp (2013-2019)[3]
  • i-MMD 2.0 184 hp system output (CR-V V hybrid)[6][7]
  • e:HEV 2.0 184 hp system output (Civic XI)[7][15]
AvoidVersions to avoid
  • N63B44O0 4.4 twin-turbo 408 hp (2008-2014)[3][16]
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 N62 / N63

See the 12 models with the BMW N62 / N63

Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

Other comparisons

With the BMW N62 / N63

With the Honda e:HEV / i-MMD

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 5er E60, E61 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 26 April 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  2. BMW X5 E70 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 5 January 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  3. BMW 5er F10, F11: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  4. BMW 6er E63, E64 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 5 January 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  5. BMW 650i: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 4 December 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  6. Sistema híbrido Honda e:HEV (i-MMD): problemas, fiabilidad y coches que lo llevanMotordex · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Honda recalls 1.3 million cars: fuel pump fire risk (KBA 14559R)Car-Recalls.eu · Motoring press · published 17 March 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026
  8. Fiabilité Honda HR-V (2022): pannes et témoignagesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in French
  9. BMW N62Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  10. BMW N63Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  11. BMW N62Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  12. Honda LEB-H5 (1.5 i-MMD e:HEV): experiencias, problemas, consumo y consejos de compraAutohints · Technical documentation · consulted 29 October 2026 · in Spanish
  13. BMW 745i (E65): Test über 100.000 kmAUTO ZEITUNG · Motoring press · published 12 January 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  14. BMW X5 E53 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 4 January 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  15. Guide d'achat Honda Civic (nueva campaña 6YP, 4.740 híbridos en Francia)L'argus · Motoring press · published 7 January 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité Bmw Serie 5 (2010-2016) (252 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French