M51 vs M50

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
M50 BEST 88/100
+20 points over M51
0 / 100
ACCEPTABLE M51 BMW
0 / 100
BEST M50 BMW

Specifications

M51
M50
Brand
BMW
BMW
Verdict
ACCEPTABLE
BEST
Reliability
68
88
Years
1991--2000
1990--1996
Displacement
2497 cc
2494 cc
Layout
I6
I6
Type
Diesel
Petrol Na
Power
115--143 hp
150--192 hp
Known Issues
2
2
Total Risk Cost
€1,500--€3,700
€400--€1,100

Character

M51

"Pre-common-rail indirect injection diesel. Cast iron tractor engine. Injection pump main failure at 250k+ km. No swirl flaps. No DPF."

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

M51 2

▲ HIGH
Injection pump hot start failure €500--€1,200 200,000 km--350,000 km
▲ HIGH
Cylinder head cracking €1,000--€2,500 200,000 km--350,000 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

M51 3

3 Series E36 1991--1996 5 Series E39 1996--2000 3 Series E36 1993--1999

M50 0

No models listed.

Full M51 Report Full M50 Report