BMW N62 / N63 vs 1.6 THP: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW N62 / N63 carries less risk than the 1.6 THP: 54/100 versus 64/100 (both high risk). The BMW N62 / N63 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «N63 oil consumption from worn valve stem seals»; the 1.6 THP has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012)».

Risk index

BMW N62 / N63

High risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.6 THP

High risk · 2 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 8 October 202618 sources How 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 1.6 THP reliable?

The 1.6 THP turbo and its naturally aspirated sibling, the 1.6 VTi, make up the Prince family, developed together with BMW and also used by MINI: they do not have a reputation for reliability. Turbo versions built before 2012 carry a known problem of timing chain stretch, and the whole block shares a water pump described as fragile; the turbo versions add oil consumption and high-pressure fuel pump failures.^[6][7][8][9]

See the 5 of the 1.6 THP faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N62 / N63 and 1.6 THP
Item	BMW N62 / N63	1.6 THP
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	—	1,598 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	272–450 hp	120–270 hp
Production	since 2001^{[3][10][11][12]}	2006–2018^[6][13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	54High risk	64High risk
Documented faults	6	5
Of high or critical severity	3	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: N63 oil consumption from worn valve stem seals Critical severity: N63 timing chain stretch and guide breakage Critical severity: Additional turbo coolant pump with a risk of short circuit and fire	Critical severity: Timing chain and tensioner stretch (turbo versions, before 2012) High severity: Fragile water pump and heat exchanger Medium severity: High-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failure on the turbo versions
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No 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]	None
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][15] N62B48 4.8 naturally aspirated 360 hp (X5 4.8is, 2004-2006)^[16] N63B44O1 (N63TU) 4.4 twin-turbo 450 hp (2013-2019)^[3]	1.6 VTi 120 / 1.6 16v (EP6/EP6C, N12/N16, naturally aspirated)^[9] 1.6 THP medium output (EP6DT/EP6DTS/EP6CDT, N14/N18; 140-190 hp)^[7][8][17] 1.6 THP high performance (EP6CDXD/EP6FDTR/EP6CDTR, John Cooper Works N14/N18; 200-270 hp)^[7][8][9]
AvoidVersions to avoid	N63B44O0 4.4 twin-turbo 408 hp (2008-2014)^[3][18]	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

1.6 THP

See the 16 models with the 1.6 THP

Other comparisons

With the BMW N62 / N63

With the 1.6 THP

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

BMW 5er E60, E61 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 26 April 2024 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
BMW X5 E70 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 5 January 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
BMW 5er F10, F11: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
BMW 6er E63, E64 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 5 January 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
BMW 650i: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 4 December 2015 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Prince engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Distribution : les moteurs à problèmesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Moteurs essence qui consomment de l'huileFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Liste des moteurs qui ont des soucis de refroidissementFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · published April 2025 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
BMW N62Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
BMW N63Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026
BMW N62Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Peugeot 308Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Peugeot RCZWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW 745i (E65): Test über 100.000 kmAUTO ZEITUNG · Motoring press · published 12 January 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
BMW X5 E53 – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 4 January 2023 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
BMW Recalls Fuel Pumps. Mini Does NotMotoringFile · Motoring press · published 27 October 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité Bmw Serie 5 (2010-2016) (252 témoignages)Fiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French