M50/M52 vs S68
Side-by-side reliability comparison
Specifications
Character
M50/M52
"Smooth, linear inline-six with bulletproof internals — 300,000 km is routine. Budget a full cooling-system refresh (plastic tank, impeller, thermostat housing) and expect VANOS seals and the oil separator to need doing. Only trap: European M52 built 1995 to early 1998 had Nikasil bores that sulphur fuel destroyed; ask for a leak-down test or proof of a replacement block. M50 and M52TU are not affected."
S68
"BMW M's current 4.4 twin-turbo V8 (2022-), with both turbos inside the V and a 48-volt mild-hybrid motor in the gearbox; 530 PS in the X5/X7 M60i, 544 PS in the 760i, and more as a plug-in hybrid in the XM and M5. No pattern failures reported so far beyond a 2023 exhaust-fastener recall, but it is too new for long-term data, and its N63/S63 predecessors with the same hot-V layout earned their bad name only after years in service."