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Reliability and problems of BMW cars

We have documented 16 engines and 2 gearboxes across 48 generations of 22 models from BMW. The ones that give the most problems, according to our risk index, are the BMW N47, the BMW N57 and the BMW M47. The lowest-risk one is the BMW B38 / B37 (low risk).

5.5 out of 10Average rating of its 31 models with solid evidence: ranked 19 of 31 makes. See the make ranking

175 recalls and campaigns documented in 38 models. See the BMW recalls

How we work

The BMW engines that give the most trouble

From highest to lowest risk according to our index, which weights the severity and frequency of their documented faults. The same engine is often fitted to cars from several makes. How we calculate it

  1. 1BMW N47BMW Serie 1 E87, Serie 1 F20, Serie 3 E90, Serie 3 F30, Serie 5 E60, Serie 5 F10, X1 E84, X3 E83 and X3 F25Most serious fault:Critical severity87Very high risk
  2. 2BMW N57BMW Serie 3 E90, Serie 3 F30, Serie 5 F10, Serie 7 F01, X3 F25, X4 F26, X5 E70, X5 F15, X6 E71 and X6 F16Most serious fault:Critical severity87Very high risk
  3. 3BMW M47BMW Serie 1 E87, Serie 3 E46, Serie 3 E90, Serie 5 E60 and X3 E83Most serious fault:Critical severity79Very high risk
  4. 4BMW B47BMW Serie 1 F20, Serie 1 F40, Serie 2 F22, Serie 2 Active Tourer F45, Serie 2 Active Tourer U06, Serie 3 F30, Serie 3 G20, Serie 4 F32, Serie 5 F10, Serie 5 G30, X1 F48, X1 U11, X2 F39, X3 F25, X3 G01 and X4 G02Most serious fault:Critical severity73High risk
  5. 5BMW M57BMW Serie 3 E46, Serie 3 E90, Serie 5 E39, Serie 5 E60, Serie 7 E65, X3 E83, X5 E53 and X5 E70Most serious fault:Critical severity63High risk
  6. 6BMW N20BMW Serie 1 F20, Serie 2 F22, Serie 3 F30, Serie 4 F32, Serie 5 F10, X1 E84, X3 F25 and Z4 E89Most serious fault:Critical severity63High risk
  7. 7BMW N43/N46BMW Serie 1 E87, Serie 3 E90, Serie 5 E60, X1 E84 and Z4 E85/E86Most serious fault:Critical severity59High risk
  8. 8BMW N13BMW Serie 1 F20 and Serie 3 F30Most serious fault:Critical severity57High risk
  9. 9BMW M54BMW Serie 3 E46, Serie 5 E39, Serie 5 E60, X3 E83, X5 E53 and Z4 E85/E86Most serious fault:High severity54High risk
  10. 10BMW N62 / N63BMW Serie 5 E60, Serie 5 F10, Serie 5 Gran Turismo F07, Serie 6 E63/E64, Serie 6 F12/F13, Serie 7 E65, Serie 7 F01, X5 E53, X5 E70, X5 F15, X6 E71 and X6 F16Most serious fault:Critical severity54High risk
  11. 11BMW N52 / N53BMW Serie 1 E87, Serie 3 E90, Serie 5 E60, Serie 5 F10, X1 E84, X3 E83, X5 E70, Z4 E85/E86 and Z4 E89Most serious fault:High severity48Moderate risk
  12. 12BMW N54/N55BMW Serie 1 E87, Serie 3 E90, Serie 3 F30, Serie 5 E60, Serie 5 F10, Serie 7 F01, X3 F25, X4 F26, X5 E70, X5 F15, X6 E71, X6 F16 and Z4 E89Most serious fault:High severity48Moderate risk
  13. 13ZF 6HP gearboxBMW Serie 3 E90, Serie 5 E60, X3 E83, X5 E53 and X5 E70Most serious fault:High severity46Moderate risk
  14. 14BMW B58BMW Serie 1 F20, Serie 2 F22, Serie 3 F30, Serie 3 G20, Serie 4 F32, Serie 4 G22, Serie 5 G30, Serie 7 G11, X3 G01, X4 G02, X5 G05, X6 G06, X7 G07 and Z4 G29Most serious fault:High severity38Moderate risk
  15. 15ZF 8HP gearboxBMW Serie 1 F20, Serie 3 F30, Serie 3 G20, Serie 5 F10, Serie 5 G30, Serie 7 F01, X1 E84, X3 F25, X3 G01, X5 F15 and X6 F16Most serious fault:High severity36Moderate risk
  16. 16BMW B48 / B38BMW Serie 1 F20, Serie 1 F40, Serie 2 F22, Serie 2 Active Tourer F45, Serie 2 Active Tourer U06, Serie 3 F30, Serie 3 G20, Serie 5 F10, Serie 5 G30, X1 F48, X1 U11, X2 F39, X3 F25 and X3 G01Most serious fault:High severity24Low risk
  17. 17BMW B57BMW Serie 3 G20, Serie 5 G30, Serie 7 G11, X3 G01, X4 G02, X5 G05, X6 G06 and X7 G07Most serious fault:High severity22Low risk
  18. 18BMW B38 / B37BMW i8 I12, Serie 1 F20, Serie 1 F40, Serie 2 F22, Serie 2 Active Tourer F45, Serie 2 Active Tourer U06, Serie 2 Gran Tourer F46, Serie 3 F30, X1 F48, X1 U11 and X2 F39Most serious fault:Critical severity14Low risk

BMW models by generation

With the engines we have documented on each one. Open yours to see its faults, the verdict for each version and what to check before buying.

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