M50/M52 vs B48 — Reliability Comparison

Specifications

M50/M52

B48

Brand

BMW

Verdict

BEST

BUY

Reliability

95

82

Years

1990--2000

2014--present

Displacement

2494 cc

1998 cc

Layout

I6

I4

Type

Petrol Na

Petrol Turbo

Power

150--170 hp

184--255 hp

Known Issues

3

Total Risk Cost

€330--€850

€650--€1,350

Character

M50/M52

"Smooth, linear, bulletproof. Classic BMW feel. Simple maintenance. Cheap parts."

B48

"B58s little brother. Efficient, smooth. Remap to 260hp safe. Best modern 4-cyl BMW."

Issues Comparison

M50/M52 3

● MODERATE

Cooling system plastics (tank, housing, impeller) €150--€350 100,000 km--180,000 km

○ MINOR

VANOS oil seal wear (M52 only) €80--€200 120,000 km--200,000 km

○ MINOR

Valve cover / oil pan gasket leaks €100--€300 150,000 km--∞

B48 3

● MODERATE

Coolant vent line failure €100--€250 40,000 km--100,000 km

● MODERATE

Oil filter housing gasket — early units (2014-2016) €250--€500 40,000 km--100,000 km

○ MINOR

Intake valve carbon buildup (DI) €300--€600 60,000 km--120,000 km

Models

M50/M52 12

3 Series E36 1990--1994 3 Series E36 1990--1995 3 Series E36 1994--1999 5 Series E39 1996--2000 3 Series E46 1998--2001 5 Series E39 1996--2000 3 Series E36 1995--1999 3 Series E46 1998--2000 5 Series E39 1996--2000 Z3 E36/7 1997--2000 3 Series E36 1995--1999 3 Series E46 1998--2000

B48 40

6 Series G32 2017--2023 X3 G01 2017--2024 4 Series G22 2020--present Z4 G29 2019--present 2 Series Active Tourer U06 2022--present 4 Series F32 2016--2020 3 Series G20 2019--present GR Supra A90 2020--present 1 Series F20 2015--2019 5 Series G30 2017--2023 X2 F39 2018--2023 1 Series F40 2020--present 2 Series Active Tourer U06 2022--present X1 F48 2015--2022 2 Series F22 2016--2021 5 Series G30 2017--2023 3 Series F30 2015--2019 X4 G02 2018--present X3 G01 2017--2024 4 Series G22 2020--present 2 Series G42 2022--present 3 Series G20 2019--present Z4 G29 2019--present 3 Series F30 2015--2019 2 Series Active Tourer F45 2014--2021 5 Series G60 2023--present 1 Series F20 2015--2019 4 Series F32 2016--2020 2 Series Active Tourer U06 2022--present 5 Series G60 2023--present 5 Series G30 2017--2023 X3 G01 2020--2024 3 Series G20 2019--present 1 Series F40 2019--present 320i F30 LCI 2015--2019 Sedan 320i GT F34 2013--2016 Gran Tourer 320i Touring F31 2012--2019 Wagon 330i GT F34 2016--2019 Gran Tourer 330i Touring G21 2019--2024 Wagon 420i Gran Coupe F36 2014--2020 Gran Coupe