M41 vs M50

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
M50 BEST 88/100
+16 points over M41
0 / 100
ACCEPTABLE M41 BMW
0 / 100
BEST M50 BMW

Specifications

M41
M50
Brand
BMW
BMW
Verdict
ACCEPTABLE
BEST
Reliability
72
88
Years
1994--1999
1990--1996
Displacement
1665 cc
2494 cc
Layout
I4
I6
Type
Diesel
Petrol Na
Power
90 hp
150--192 hp
Known Issues
3
2
Total Risk Cost
€650--€1,600
€400--€1,100

Character

M41

"E36 318tds. Pre-common-rail indirect injection. Simple, economical. No swirl flaps, no DPF. Timing belt. Injection pump can fail at very high mileage. Cast iron block. Reliable and cheap. Low power is the only complaint."

M50

"Cast iron block legend. One of BMW's most reliable ever. M50TU added single VANOS. Strong internals handle 300k+ km. Cooling plastics only weakness."

Issues Comparison

M41 3

▲ HIGH
Timing belt (interference) €200--€400 60,000 km--90,000 km
● MODERATE
Injection pump (indirect injection) €400--€1,000 200,000 km--350,000 km
○ MINOR
Glow plug failure €50--€200 80,000 km--150,000 km

M50 2

▲ HIGH
Water pump plastic impeller failure €200--€500 60,000 km--120,000 km
● MODERATE
VANOS unit wear (M50TU) €200--€600 100,000 km--200,000 km

Models

M41 1

3 Series E36 1994--1999

M50 0

No models listed.

Full M41 Report Full M50 Report