S50/S54 vs B58

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
B58 BEST 93/100
+15 points over S50/S54
0 / 100
BUY S50/S54 BMW
0 / 100
BEST B58 BMW

Specifications

S50/S54
B58
Brand
BMW
BMW
Verdict
BUY
BEST
Reliability
78
93
Years
1992--2006
2015--present
Displacement
3246 cc
2998 cc
Layout
I6
I6
Type
Petrol Na
Petrol Turbo
Power
286--343 hp
326--387 hp
Known Issues
2
3
Total Risk Cost
€2,500--€7,500
€430--€1,000

Character

S50/S54

"E36 M3 (S50) and E46 M3 (S54). High-revving NA legends. S50B32 is bulletproof. S54 has rod bearing and VANOS concerns but iconic. Preventive rod bearing replacement recommended on S54."

B58

"Possibly BMWs best engine ever. Forged internals, insane tuning (600hp+). 300k+ km."

Issues Comparison

S50/S54 2

◆ CRITICAL
Rod bearing wear (S54) €2,000--€6,000 80,000 km--150,000 km
▲ HIGH
VANOS bolt failure (S54 recall) €500--€1,500 60,000 km--120,000 km

B58 3

● MODERATE
Coolant expansion tank / line failure — early units €150--€350 60,000 km--120,000 km
○ MINOR
Plastic charge pipe crack €80--€200 60,000 km--150,000 km
○ MINOR
Valve cover gasket oil leak €200--€450 80,000 km--160,000 km

Models

S50/S54 3

M3 E36 1992--1996 M3 E36 1996--1999 M3 E46 2000--2006

B58 26

6 Series F13 2015--2018 6 Series G32 2017--2023 1 Series F20 2015--2016 3 Series F30 2015--2019 1 Series F20 2016--2019 5 Series F10 2016--2017 4 Series F32 2016--2020 2 Series F22 2016--2021 7 Series G11 2016--2022 GR Supra A90 2019--present X5 G05 2020--present 3 Series G20 2019--present X4 G02 2018--present X5 G05 2018--present X6 G06 2019--present X7 G07 2019--present GR Supra A90 2022--present 5 Series G30 2017--2023 8 Series G15 2018--present 2 Series G42 2022--present 4 Series G22 2020--present X3 G01 2017--2024 Z4 G29 2019--present 7 Series G70 2023--present 5 Series G60 2024--present 340i F30 LCI 2015--2019 Sedan
Full S50/S54 Report Full B58 Report