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BMW N62 / N63 vs Honda IMA híbrido: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Honda IMA híbrido carries less risk than the BMW N62 / N63: 21/100 (low 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 IMA híbrido has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «IMA hybrid system DC/DC converter failure with engine stall (Civic Hybrid 2005-2006)».

Risk index

BMW N62 / N63

54

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

Honda IMA híbrido

21

Low 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

23 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 IMA híbrido reliable?

Honda's IMA hybrid system (Insight II, Jazz Hybrid, CR-Z and Civic Hybrid) has a good reputation for reliability in the British press, and its documented weak point is the ageing of the high-voltage battery, which turns on the IMA warning light. There were also two one-off campaigns: the DC/DC converter on the 2006 Civic Hybrid and the CR-Z software.[6][7][8]

See the 3 of the Honda IMA híbrido faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N62 / N63 and Honda IMA híbrido
BMW N62 / N63Honda IMA híbrido
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power272–450 hp88–132 hp
Productionsince 2001[3][9][10][11]1999–2016[7][12][13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)54High risk21Low risk
Documented faults63
Of high or critical severity31
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. Medium severity: High-voltage IMA battery degradation and IMA warning light on
  2. High severity: IMA hybrid system DC/DC converter failure with engine stall (Civic Hybrid 2005-2006)
  3. Medium severity: CR-Z IMA hybrid system software: the car may move when the engine stalls
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • N62B48TU 4.8 naturally aspirated 355-367 hp (550i, 650i, 750i, X5 4.8i; 2005-2010)[2][4]
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA 98 (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Insight II, 2009-2014)[7][8]
  • 1.3 i-VTEC IMA (LDA-MF6 / LDA3, Jazz Hybrid, 2011-2015)[7][16][17]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 132 (LEA1, CR-Z with lithium-ion battery, 2013-2016)[15][18]
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][19]
  • N62B48 4.8 naturally aspirated 360 hp (X5 4.8is, 2004-2006)[20]
  • N63B44O1 (N63TU) 4.4 twin-turbo 450 hp (2013-2019)[3]
  • 1.3 i-DSI IMA 110 (LDA-MF5 / LDA2, Civic Hybrid VIII, 2006-2011)[6][21][22]
  • 1.5 i-VTEC IMA 123 (LEA1 / LEA-MF6, CR-Z with NiMH battery, 2010-2012)[6][15][18]
AvoidVersions to avoid
  • N63B44O0 4.4 twin-turbo 408 hp (2008-2014)[3][23]
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 IMA híbrido

Other comparisons

With the BMW N62 / N63

With the Honda IMA 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 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. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  7. Used Honda Insight Mk2 buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 24 October 2019 · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. Honda Insight (2009 - 2014) used car reviewRAC · Motoring press · published 13 February 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026
  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. Integrated Motor AssistWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  13. Honda L engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  14. Honda CR-ZWikipedia · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
  15. Used Honda CR-Z buying guideDrivingElectric · Motoring press · published 31 October 2022 · consulted 8 October 2026
  16. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Jazz 2 (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  17. Honda JazzWikipedia (DE) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  18. Used Honda CR-Z reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 14 August 2016 · consulted 8 October 2026
  19. BMW 745i (E65): Test über 100.000 kmAUTO ZEITUNG · Motoring press · published 12 January 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  20. BMW X5 E53 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 4 January 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  21. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2006-2011)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  22. Honda Civic 8 (2005-2011): alle bekannten Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 22 September 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  23. Fiabilité Bmw Serie 5 (2010-2016) (252 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French