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BMW B47 vs 1.4 HDi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 HDi carries less risk than the BMW B47: 43/100 (moderate 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 1.4 HDi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

BMW B47

73

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.4 HDi

43

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

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

10 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 1.4 HDi reliable?

It is a small diesel that is generally reliable, but with a very well-documented weakness: the injectors tend to lose their seal over time and let diesel escape. The turbo and the EGR valve also fail on a noticeable minority of units, and there are isolated cases of the crankshaft damper pulley failing at very high mileages. The timing belt does not seem to cause more problems than on any diesel of its era if it is changed on time.[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.4 HDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B47 and 1.4 HDi
BMW B471.4 HDi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,995 cm³1,399 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power114–228 hp54–92 hp
Productionsince 2014[1]2001–2010[5][8][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)73High risk43Moderate risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity31
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: Injectors that lose their seal and let diesel escape
  2. High severity: Timing belt and water pump
  3. Medium severity: Premature turbo wear from poor lubrication
Most expensive documented repairup to €2,000Premature turbo wear from neglected maintenancePublished figure[3]No reliable data
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]
  • 1.4 HDi/TDCi 54/68/70 8V (DV4TD, 2001-2009)[6][7]
  • 1.4 HDi 90/92 16V (DV4TED4, 2002-2009)[6][10]
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

Other comparisons

With the BMW B47

With the 1.4 HDi

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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 PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 68 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 70 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Ford Duratorq engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. Peugeot DV4TD engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Peugeot DV4TED4 engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026