2.0 TDI vs BMW B57: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B57 carries less risk than the 2.0 TDI: 22/100 (low risk) versus 48/100 (moderate risk). The 2.0 TDI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI»; the BMW B57 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «EGR cooler leaks on the B57 (limited action on the 540d xDrive)».

Risk index

2.0 TDI

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

BMW B57

Low risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 4 October 202619 sources How we work

Is the 2.0 TDI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The EA189 (2008-2015) is the dieselgate engine: it needed a software update and has a record of EGR, particulate filter, turbo and injection faults. The earlier pumpe-düse (unit injector) engine has oil pump failures, and on the EA288 and EA288 evo (from 2012) the known faults are minor: coolant leaks and the odd AdBlue tank.^{[1][2][3][4][5][6]}

See the 7 of the 2.0 TDI faults

Is the BMW B57 reliable?

The BMW B57 (2015 onwards) is the six-cylinder diesel that succeeded the N57. The sources consulted document no widespread faults: its most cited weak point is the AdBlue/SCR system, and it was left out of the big EGR campaigns that hit the N47 and N57. The timing chain is still at the back, next to the gearbox.^[7][8]

See the 4 of the BMW B57 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 TDI and BMW B57
Item	2.0 TDI	BMW B57
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,968 cm³	2,993 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	84–240 hp	265–400 hp
Production	since 2003^{[1][9][10][11][12]}	since 2015^[13][14]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	48Moderate risk	22Low risk
Documented faults	7	4
Of high or critical severity	3	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Oil pump failure on the pumpe-düse 2.0 TDI Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and the subsequent update High severity: High-pressure pump, injectors and diesel leaks on the EA189	Medium severity: AdBlue/SCR system fault (NOx sensors, heater and pump) High severity: EGR cooler leaks on the B57 (limited action on the 540d xDrive) High severity: Timing chain wear on the gearbox side
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Clogged particulate filter or faulty pressure sensorPublished figure^[3][15][16]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	2.0 TDI EA288 (from 2012)^[5] 2.0 TDI EA288 evo (from 2019)^[6]	B57D30 265 hp, single turbo (B57D30O0, 2015-2020)^[7] B57D30 286-340 hp, twin turbo with 48 V (B57D30O2/T2, 2020 onwards)^[7]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	2.0 TDI pumpe-düse unit injector (EA188, 2003-2010)^[4][17] 2.0 TDI common rail EA189 (2008-2015)^[3][18][19]	B57D30 320 hp, twin turbo (B57D30T0, 2015-2020)^[7] B57D30 400 hp, four turbos (B57D30S0, 2016-2020)^[7]
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

2.0 TDI

See the 41 models with the 2.0 TDI

BMW B57

See the 8 models with the BMW B57

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 TDI

With the BMW B57

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Sources

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

VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
Un Volkswagen Tiguan en occasion : les meilleures versions par budget, et la fiabilitéCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Audi A4 (2007-2015) : belle, mais capricieuseCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 1 April 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Audi A6 III (2004-2011) : la fiche express fiabilité de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 4 July 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité de l'Audi A3 (3e génération) : la maxi-fiche occasion de CaradisiacCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 19 December 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Maxi-fiche fiabilité - Volkswagen Golf VIII : du genre agaçanteCaradisiac · Motoring press · published 5 April 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Motor BMW B57: fiabilidad y averíasDasercars · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
Motor BMW N57: diferencias con el B57Dasercars · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
VW EA188Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Three world premieres: Volkswagen presents progressive hybrid, natural gas and diesel systems at the Vienna Motor SymposiumVolkswagen Newsroom · Manufacturer · published 27 April 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026
BMW B57 (Wikipedia en)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
BMW B57 (Wikipedia de)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
Filtro de partículas: ¿mejor limpiar o sustituir?Autofácil · Motoring press · published 7 April 2022 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 17 January 2020 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
VW/Audi 2.0 TDI PD EA188 Engine Specs, Problems, Reliability, Oil, InfoMotorReviewer · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Used Skoda Yeti reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 15 June 2016 · consulted 26 September 2026