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BMW B47 vs BMW M57: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW M57 carries less risk than the BMW B47: 63/100 versus 73/100 (both high risk). The BMW B47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire»; the BMW M57 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken intake swirl flaps».

Risk index

BMW B47

73

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

BMW M57

63

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

9 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 M57 reliable?

The BMW M57 (1998-2010) is a six-cylinder diesel with a reputation for great mechanical longevity, capable of exceeding 500,000 km when well maintained, but a good share of the versions built before 2008 -especially with an automatic gearbox- have metal swirl flaps in the intake that can break and wreck the engine; check whether the car has them and what condition they are in before buying.[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the BMW M57 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B47 and BMW M57
BMW B47BMW M57
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,995 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power114–228 hp150–286 hp
Productionsince 2014[1]1998–2010[5][8]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)73High risk63High risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity32
Worst severityCritical severityCritical 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. Critical severity: Broken intake swirl flaps
  2. High severity: Crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve failure
  3. Medium severity: Cracked exhaust manifold
Most expensive documented repairup to €2,000Premature turbo wear from neglected maintenancePublished figure[3]up to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M57 (loss of power)Published figure[9]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
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]
  • M57D25, 2.5 litres (150-197 hp, 2000-2010 depending on application)[6]
  • M57D30, first-generation 3.0 litres (177-193 hp, 1998-2006 depending on application)[6]
  • M57D30TU, first revision 3.0 litres (201-272 hp, 2001-2006)[6]
  • M57D30TU2, second revision 3.0 litres, aluminium block (204-286 hp, 2004-2010)[6]
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 M57

See the 10 models with the BMW M57

Other comparisons

With the BMW B47

With the BMW M57

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. BMW M57Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Motor BMW M57 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. BMW M57D30 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. BMW M57Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Caudalímetro o sensor MAF: qué es, cómo funciona y cuáles son las averías más frecuentesDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish