M50
BMW · M50 2.0/2.5 NA I6
1990–1996
"Cast iron block legend. One of BMW's most reliable ever. M50TU added single VANOS. Strong internals handle 300k+ km. Cooling plastics only weakness."
Mileage Risk Timeline
When problems typically appear — enter your mileage to see your risk zone
Known Issues 2
Water pump plastic impeller failure
▸Sudden overheating, no flow
Plastic impeller breaks internally. Replace with metal impeller pump at 80k km.
Αντλία νερού πλαστικό φτερωτό. ΑΝΤΙΚΑΤΑΣΤΑΣΗ στα 80k. €200-500.
VANOS unit wear (M50TU)
▸Rattle at idle, low torque loss
M50TU single VANOS seals wear. Rebuild kits €50-100.
VANOS rebuild €200-600. Χάνεις ροπή αν δεν φτιαχτεί.
Other BMW Engines
Tuning Potential
Turbo builds 400hp+ on stock internals
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the BMW M50 reliable?
The BMW M50 scores 88/100 with a verdict of BEST. It has 2 documented issues with total repair costs between €400 and €1,100.
What are the common problems with the M50?
The most common issues are:
- Water pump plastic impeller failure — high, repair cost €200–€500, 60,000 km–120,000 km
- VANOS unit wear (M50TU) — moderate, repair cost €200–€600, 100,000 km–200,000 km
How much does it cost to repair the M50?
Total potential repair costs for all 2 known issues range from €400 to €1,100. The most expensive issue is typically .
What years was the M50 produced?
The BMW M50 was produced from 1990 to 1996. It is a 2494cc I6 petrol na engine.
Verdict and scores are editorial opinions based on aggregated data. Learn about our methodology. Not a substitute for professional inspection.