1.6 HDi vs BMW M47: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 HDi carries less risk than the BMW M47: 71/100 (high risk) versus 79/100 (very high risk). The 1.6 HDi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)»; the BMW M47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps)».

Risk index

1.6 HDi

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW M47

Very 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

Reviewed on 27 September 202631 sources How we work

Is the 1.6 HDi reliable?

It is an efficient diesel, but its 16-valve versions (2004-2011) have a serious weak point: the turbo is starved of lubrication by carbon deposits from the oil, often made worse by leaks at the injector washers. The 8V engines (from 2010) improved, although you need to watch the 2010-2011 belt and the injectors, and on the BlueHDi the AdBlue tank.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9]}

See the 7 of the 1.6 HDi faults

Is the BMW M47 reliable?

The BMW M47 (1998-2007, a 4-cylinder diesel fitted to the 3 Series E46/E90, 1 Series E87, 5 Series E60, X3 E83, the Rover 75 and the Land Rover Freelander) is solid in its basic mechanicals, but the common rail versions, built since 2001, carry a serious and well-documented problem: the intake manifold swirl flaps can break and enter the cylinder, with a risk of engine damage. The turbo and injectors also account for known faults.^{[10][11][12][13]}

See the 6 of the BMW M47 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 HDi and BMW M47
Item	1.6 HDi	BMW M47
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,560 cm³	1,995 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	75–120 hp	116–163 hp
Production	2004–2019^{[4][6][14][15][16][17][18]}	1998–2007^{[10][11][19][20]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	71High risk	79Very high risk
Documented faults	7	6
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	High severity: Turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter) High severity: Timing belt failure and premature wear Medium severity: AdBlue tank and pump fault (1.6 BlueHDi)	Critical severity: Intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps) High severity: Loss of power and turbo faults Medium severity: Blocked and seized injectors
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,500Turbo failure through lack of lubrication (carbon deposits and union filter)Estimate^{[1][21][22][23][24][25][26]}	up to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)Published figure^[27]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.6 HDi / e-HDi 92/95 8V (DV6D, 2009-2016)^[28][29]	M47D20 116-136 hp (1998-2001)^[10][12]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 HDi 75/90 16V (DV6BTED4 / DV6ATED4, 2004-2011)^[2][3][28] 1.6 HDi 110 16V DPF (DV6TED4, 2004-2011)^[2][6][28] 1.6 HDi / e-HDi 112/115 8V (DV6C, 2010-2015)^[5][7] 1.6 BlueHDi 75/100/120 (DV6FE / DV6FD / DV6FC, 2013-2019)^[8][17][30]	M47D20TU 116-150 hp (2001-2004)^[10][12][13] M47D20TU2 122-163 hp (2004-2007)^[10] M47R 116-131 hp (Rover 75, MG ZT and Land Rover Freelander, 1998-2006)^[10][31]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

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 HDi

See the 48 models with the 1.6 HDi

BMW M47

See the 8 models with the BMW M47

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 HDi

With the BMW M47

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

Häufige Schäden und die professionelle Reparatur (Turbolader PSA 1,6 HDi)Krafthand · Motoring press · published 6 June 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Boletín de servicio: sustitución del turbo en motores DV6 (versión reducida de la Información de servicio nº 77)Turbotec · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Diesel : la liste des pannes récurrentes des moteurs HDi, dCi, TDI... (1.6 HDi)L'argus · Motoring press · published 28 October 2014 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Citroën Peugeot. Le bloc 1.6 HDi 8 soupapes est-il fiable ?L'argus · Motoring press · published 23 March 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Citroën Peugeot. Le bloc 1.6 HDi 8 soupapes est-il fiable ? (1.6 HDi 112/115)L'argus · Motoring press · published 23 March 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 110 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 112 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
OCU y BEUC consiguen que Stellantis amplíe la garantía de los coches con AdBlueOCU · Consumer association · published 27 December 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
El Grupo PSA lanza la gama de motores Blue HDikm77 · Motoring press · published 16 September 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
BMW M47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW M47D20 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Motor BMW M47: problemas y averíasDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
BMW 3er E46: typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Prueba de consumo (202): Peugeot Partner Outdoor 1.6-BlueHDi 120 CVkm77 · Motoring press · published 24 December 2015 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Peugeot DV6TED4 engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
Fiabilité 1.6 BlueHDIFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · published 9 December 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Motor Peugeot DV6FDTED: especificaciones y aplicacionesMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
BMW M47Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
BMW 3 Series (E46)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Turbo intercambio Garrett 753420 motor 1.6HDi 1.6TDCI 1.6DFG Automoción · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Turbo Garrett 753420 (GT1544V) para 1.6 HDI 110 CVAML Turbos · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Tubo de engrase PSA 1.6 HDI 110 CV + filtro (OP10049COMP)Electromotor Lantejuela · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
¿Cuál es el precio de la mano de obra en los talleres de las 10 marcas más vendidas en España?km77 · Motoring press · published 30 December 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
La doble tarifa de la mano de obra en los talleres españoles: lo que dice su tablón vs. lo que realmente ingresanInfotaller · Motoring press · published June 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
¿Estás cobrando lo justo en tu taller? Así está la mano de obra por hora en 2025Infotaller · Motoring press · published 9 September 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Caudalímetro o sensor MAF: qué es, cómo funciona y cuáles son las averías más frecuentesDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité 1.6 HDIFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · published 22 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.6 HDI 92 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Adblue : problèmes en pagaille ?Fiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Rover 75Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026