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BMW B47 vs BMW B57: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B57 carries less risk than the BMW B47: 22/100 (low risk) versus 73/100 (high risk). The BMW B47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire»; 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

BMW B47

73

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

BMW B57

22

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

8 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the BMW B47 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.[5][6]

See the 4 of the BMW B57 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B47 and BMW B57
BMW B47BMW B57
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,995 cm³2,993 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power114–228 hp265–400 hp
Productionsince 2014[1]since 2015[7][8]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)73High risk22Low risk
Documented faults44
Of high or critical severity33
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  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
  1. Medium severity: AdBlue/SCR system fault (NOx sensors, heater and pump)
  2. High severity: EGR cooler leaks on the B57 (limited action on the 540d xDrive)
  3. High severity: Timing chain wear on the gearbox side
Most expensive documented repairup to €2,000Premature turbo wear from neglected maintenancePublished figure[3]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • B57D30 265 hp, single turbo (B57D30O0, 2015-2020)[5]
  • B57D30 286-340 hp, twin turbo with 48 V (B57D30O2/T2, 2020 onwards)[5]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • B47 114-150 hp, single turbo (2014-)[2][4]
  • B47 168-190 hp, single turbo (2014-)[2][4]
  • B47 202-228 hp, twin-turbo (2015-)[2][4]
  • B47C20 (MINI Cooper D/SD and Countryman, 2014-)[1][4]
  • B57D30 320 hp, twin turbo (B57D30T0, 2015-2020)[5]
  • B57D30 400 hp, four turbos (B57D30S0, 2016-2020)[5]
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

BMW B47

See the 19 models with the BMW B47

BMW B57

See the 8 models with the BMW B57

Other comparisons

With the BMW B47

With the BMW B57

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. BMW B47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  2. 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
  3. Motor BMW B47: problemas, modelos y qué revisarCarexam · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Motor BMW B47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Motor BMW B57: fiabilidad y averíasDasercars · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Motor BMW N57: diferencias con el B57Dasercars · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  7. BMW B57 (Wikipedia en)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
  8. BMW B57 (Wikipedia de)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German