N20 vs M50

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
M50 BEST 88/100
+30 points over N20
0 / 100
CAUTION N20 BMW
0 / 100
BEST M50 BMW

Specifications

N20
M50
Brand
BMW
BMW
Verdict
CAUTION
BEST
Reliability
58
88
Years
2011--2015
1990--1996
Displacement
1997 cc
2494 cc
Layout
I4
I6
Type
Petrol Turbo
Petrol Na
Power
184--245 hp
150--192 hp
Known Issues
3
2
Total Risk Cost
€1,850--€4,100
€400--€1,100

Character

N20

"Punchy turbo four. One known flaw (timing chain class-action 2012-15). After fix: 200k+ km."

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

N20 3

◆ CRITICAL
Timing chain + guide + tensioner — class-action €1,200--€2,800 60,000 km--120,000 km
▲ HIGH
Electric water pump failure €400--€800 80,000 km--140,000 km
● MODERATE
Oil filter housing gasket leak €250--€500 60,000 km--120,000 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

N20 17

X1 E84 2012--2015 X3 F25 2011--2017 5 Series F10 2011--2017 Z4 E89 2011--2016 X3 F25 2011--2017 3 Series F30 2012--2015 X1 E84 2012--2015 3 Series F30 2012--2015 4 Series F32 2013--2016 5 Series F10 2011--2017 Z4 E89 2011--2016 1 Series F20 2012--2015 X1 E84 2012--2015 2 Series F22 2014--2016 X5 F15 2015--2018 320i Touring F31 2012--2019 Wagon 420i Gran Coupe F36 2014--2020 Gran Coupe

M50 0

No models listed.

Full N20 Report Full M50 Report