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1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II vs M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II carries less risk than the M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo): 19/100 versus 20/100 (both low risk). The 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II has no documented serious faults; the M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo) has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Recall for the tank vent pipe (2010)».

Risk index

1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

19

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)

20

Low risk · 1 serious fault

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

19 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3]

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

Is the M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo) reliable?

The M266 is the four-cylinder petrol engine (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo, from 95 to 193 hp) of the W169 A-Class and the W245 B-Class, from 2004 to 2012. The German guides give it a good reputation and cite no faults of its own; what is documented is a starter motor that sometimes fails and is expensive to replace, and a 2010 recall over the tank vent pipe.[4][5][6][7]

See the 2 of the M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II and M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)
1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC IIM266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelPetrolPetrol
Displacement——
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power83–109 hp95–193 hp
Production2004–2011[8][9][10][11][12]2004–2012[13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)19Low risk20Low risk
Documented faults32
Of high or critical severity01
Worst severityMedium severityHigh severity
Main faults
  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
  1. Medium severity: Faulty starter motor on the M266 (expensive repair)
  2. High severity: Recall for the tank vent pipe (2010)
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.4 and 1.5 8v SOHC (Aveo, 2005-2011)[3][12]
  • 1.5 and 1.6 16v DOHC 100-106 hp (A15DMS/A16DMS, Daewoo Lanos and Nubira, 1997-2008)[16][17]
  • M266 E15 1.5 95 hp (A 150/A 160 and B 150/B 160; 2004-2012)[4][6][18]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.4 16v DOHC 95-101 hp (F14D4/L95, 2004-2011)[1][2][12]
  • 1.6 16v DOHC 103-109 hp (L91/LXT, 2004-2011)[2][12][19]
  • M266 E17 1.7 116 hp (A 170/A 180 and B 170/B 180; 2004-2012)[6][18]
  • M266 E20 2.0 136 hp (A 200 and B 200; 2004-2012)[6][18]
  • M266 E20 AL 2.0 Turbo 193 hp (A 200 Turbo and B 200 Turbo; 2005-2010)[4][6]
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

Other comparisons

With the 1.4 / 1.6 16v E-TEC II

With the M266 (1.5, 1.7, 2.0 and 2.0 Turbo)

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

  1. Chevrolet Lacetti 1.4 16V - Niełatwo zdobyć zaufanieAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 19 November 2007 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  2. Bez fajerwerków - Chevrolet Lacetti (2003-2010)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 7 April 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  3. 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
  4. Mercedes-Benz A-Klasse 2004-2012 W169 Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  5. Mercedes B-Klasse T245: Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  6. Fiabilité Mercedes Classe B (2005-2012) : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  7. Mercedes-Benz: Rückruf für A- und B-KlasseAutoservicepraxis · Motoring press · published 22 September 2010 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  8. GM Family 1 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  9. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Chevrolet LacettiWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Chevrolet Aveo (T200)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  12. Używany Chevrolet Aveo T200/T250 - typowe awarie i problemyWP Autokult · Motoring press · published 28 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  13. Mercedes-Benz M 166 / M 266Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  14. Mercedes-Benz W169Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  15. Mercedes Classe A : motorisations, moteurs et consommationFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  16. Daewoo Nubira: zwawa, pakowna i taniaAuto Świat · Motoring press · published 20 February 2006 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  17. Gdy koszty grają rolę - Daewoo/FSO Lanos (1997-2008)AutoCentrum.pl · Motoring press · published 4 January 2012 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language
  18. Fiabilité Mercedes Classe A (2004-2012) : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
  19. W pierwszych silnikach 1,6 l przecierały się zawory (Chevrolet Lacetti)AutoCentrum.pl (usterki) · Owners' forum · consulted 2 November 2026 · in another language