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1.6 CRDi vs BMW B47: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 CRDi carries less risk than the BMW B47: 70/100 versus 73/100 (both high risk). The 1.6 CRDi has 4 documented serious faults, the main one being «MHSG belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley failure (48V mild hybrid)»; the BMW B47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire».

Risk index

1.6 CRDi

70

High risk · 4 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW B47

73

High risk · 3 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

15 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.6 CRDi reliable?

The U2 D4FB (2009-2018) is a generally robust diesel if well maintained, with known turbo failures in the early units and timing chain problems from 120,000-150,000 km. Its successor, the Smartstream (U3 D4FE, from 2018), has a good reputation, except in the 48V mild hybrid version, which has a belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley fault that can destroy the engine.[1][2][3]

See the 6 of the 1.6 CRDi faults

Is the BMW B47 reliable?

The BMW B47 (since 2014, successor to the N47) improves the timing chain tensioner, guides and oil supply and greatly reduces the failure rate of its predecessor, but it is not free of problems: the EGR cooler has been the subject of several BMW technical campaigns for engine fire risk since 2018, and the turbo and particulate filter need careful maintenance.[4][5][6][7]

See the 4 of the BMW B47 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 CRDi and BMW B47
1.6 CRDiBMW B47
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,582 cm³1,995 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power90–136 hp114–228 hp
Productionsince 2009[1][8][9][10]since 2014[4]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)70High risk73High risk
Documented faults64
Of high or critical severity43
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: MHSG belt tensioner and crankshaft pulley failure (48V mild hybrid)
  2. Critical severity: Timing chain stretch
  3. High severity: Premature variable-geometry turbo (VGT) failure
  1. Critical severity: EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire
  2. High severity: Timing chain wear (improved, but is it really at the front?)
  3. High severity: Premature turbo wear from neglected maintenance
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,800Particulate filter (DPF) blocked in urban usePublished figure[11]up to €2,000Premature turbo wear from neglected maintenancePublished figure[6]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • Smartstream 1.6 CRDi U3 (D4FE, 115-136 hp, without mild hybrid, from 2018)[2][12]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 CRDi U2 (D4FB, 90-136 hp, sold in Spain from 2010 to ~2018)[1][13][14]
  • Smartstream 1.6 CRDi 48V mild hybrid (D4FE MHEV, 136 hp, from ~2019)[3][15]
  • B47 114-150 hp, single turbo (2014-)[5][7]
  • B47 168-190 hp, single turbo (2014-)[5][7]
  • B47 202-228 hp, twin-turbo (2015-)[5][7]
  • B47C20 (MINI Cooper D/SD and Countryman, 2014-)[4][7]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.6 CRDi

See the 16 models with the 1.6 CRDi

BMW B47

See the 19 models with the BMW B47

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 CRDi

With the BMW B47

Compare other engines

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

  1. Motor Kia y Hyundai 1.6 CRDI (D4FB): ficha tecnica, problemas y tuningMotordinámico · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Kia Ceed III: Bekannte Probleme & RückrufeGebrauchtwagenberater · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  3. Kia / Hyundai 1.6 CRDi MHEV Engine FailuresDOHC (especialista en reconstrucción de motores) · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  4. BMW B47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  5. 324.000 diésel de BMW tendrán que pasar por el taller en Europa, por un posible riesgo de incendio en la EGRDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 August 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Motor BMW B47: problemas, modelos y qué revisarCarexam · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. Motor BMW B47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Hyundai U engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  9. Hyundai Smartstream engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. Hyundai i30 Kombi 1.6 CRDi 48V-Mildhybrid Trend (10/20-01/22): Technische Daten, Bilder, PreiseADAC · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  11. Kia Ceed 1.6 Crdi Problemas | Fallos y averías más frecuentesTotalRenting · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Kia Ceed im TÜV-Check 2026: Schwachstellen, Mängel und ProblemeAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  13. Kia and Hyundai 1.6 CRDI (D4FB) engineEngineDNA · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. Best Hyundai Kia 1.6 CRDI Mods & Upgrades Guide to D4FB TuningTorqueCars · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  15. KIA SPORTAGE 2023 - vehicle recallsGOV.UK (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) · Official body · consulted 26 September 2026