Engine G13BB vs. M13A - which one is better

Hello!

I am looking out to buy a Jimny made around in 2001 - 2004.
Therefore, I have encountered vehicles with G13BB engine as well as with M13A engine.


I would like to know which one of those two engines is better in the following criteria:

1. Fuel consumption;
2. Robustness (durability / reliability);
3. Longevity;
4. Complexity of diagnosing faults;
5. Complexity of maintenance and repairs;
6. Availability of spare parts;
7. Cost of spare parts;
8. Performance on-road;
9. Performance off-road;
10. Complexity of applying mods (if any);

I think I broke it down to all the criteria that matter!

Also, how does the M13A VVT engine (the one used from 2005 onwards) compare to regular M13A in the above criteria (especially in fuel consumption)?

happy with my g13bb had no problems so cant coment on that mpg is crap but im modded so don't count its done just under 70.000 and looks like it hasn't been mucked about

Both a tough reliable engine if looked after. G series has a belt and M series is chain, more modern engines will always be more economical and also the newer the more power output.
Ive got a M16a liana engine in my jimny which was a simple swap and cheap upgrade. fuel consumption is terrible due to my jimny being very heavily modified.

I've only experience with the G13BB engine but I have found it to be extremely reliable and long-lived. Bought it 13 years ago and have just clicked over 390,000 kilometres. Had to replace the head at 375,000 k's but other than that all original. Economy is 6.5l/100 k's. Mine is the Santana-built Spanish version soft top.

Ours is a vvt from early 2011 and now it's run in with 29k on it it goes really well. It gets to 70 promptly and feels like it wants to keep going. Off road it bimbles about nice and steady just as well. Fuel wise I would like a bigger tank so I'm not filling up so often but 45ish quid fills it from the man putting his finger in his ear and does about 12 to 15 days depending on what I'm doing which compared to my 90 for the same volume and use the jimny gives easily one and a half times as much service. Maintenance on the engine has amounted to no more than routine services and it's cheap enough for bits, just a pity that the steering hasn't been able to match the same reliability.

All so happy with my G13BB engine 53000 on the clock, my jimny is fitted with a 2 inch lift with 225/75/15 MAXXIS AT 771 tyres and I get about 250 mile on a full tank

Hello,

It seems as I walk exactly on the same track as you. Just a few years later.
I am about to get my first Jimny (beside my 80 series Land Cruiser) and have similar questions regarding the engine as you.

How did you go with your choice at the end? G13Bb or M13A? Any experience you could share? I am also looking for heavy offroad...

Thanks & regards,
Daniel

We have both at home. G13 in Kates soft top and M13 in my hard top. M13 is a little quicker and quieter. Cam chain on mine so no belt
to worry about. MPG is about the same on ours but Kates is standard and mine is lifted with mud tyres, so I guess mine is better given
a level playing field. If using it hard I would always opt for a cam chain over a belt.

Having done another 40k miles since my last reply I am even more sure that m13 is the future, it thrives on use and just keeps on impressing me.

Great advice, thanks for that. It seems as M13 is clearly the way to go.

danesz1 wrote: Great advice, thanks for that. It seems as M13 is clearly the way to go.

Absolutely! Head gaskets don't fail either!

Kirkynut

I have had SJ413 with G13A since 1995. several of them. Not the same head on them of course, but basically the same engine.
For my new project SJ i am thinking about how to find a the parts or a complete jimny donor so i can move over the wiring and everything to get M-series engine in it.
So pleased with the M13/M16 in my 2005 Jimny.