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BMW B57 vs Skyactiv-D: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B57 carries less risk than the Skyactiv-D: 22/100 (low risk) versus 55/100 (high risk). The BMW B57 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «EGR cooler leaks on the B57 (limited action on the 540d xDrive)»; the Skyactiv-D has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations».

Risk index

BMW B57

22

Low risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

Skyactiv-D

55

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

16 sourcesHow we work

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.[1][2]

See the 4 of the BMW B57 faults

Is the Skyactiv-D reliable?

The Skyactiv-D is a modern and generally reliable diesel, but across its three displacements (1.5, 1.8 and 2.2) it shares oil dilution with diesel fuel during diesel particulate filter regenerations, which means you need to watch the oil level and not stretch oil changes, especially on short journeys; the older 2.2s (2012-2014) also accumulate more turbo and carbon build-up cases.[3][4][5][6]

See the 4 of the Skyactiv-D faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B57 and Skyactiv-D
BMW B57Skyactiv-D
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement2,993 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power265–400 hp105–184 hp
Productionsince 2015[7][8]since 2012[3][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)22Low risk55High risk
Documented faults44
Of high or critical severity33
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  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
  1. High severity: Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations
  2. High severity: Turbo wear or failure from lack of lubrication
  3. Critical severity: Oil pump chain breakage and camshaft wear
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • B57D30 265 hp, single turbo (B57D30O0, 2015-2020)[1]
  • B57D30 286-340 hp, twin turbo with 48 V (B57D30O2/T2, 2020 onwards)[1]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • B57D30 320 hp, twin turbo (B57D30T0, 2015-2020)[1]
  • B57D30 400 hp, four turbos (B57D30S0, 2016-2020)[1]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175 (SH-VPTS, 2012-2017)[4][11][12]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)[5][13]
  • 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)[6][14]
  • 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)[6][15][16]
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 B57

See the 8 models with the BMW B57

Skyactiv-D

See the 7 models with the Skyactiv-D

Other comparisons

With the BMW B57

With the Skyactiv-D

Compare other engines

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.

  1. Motor BMW B57: fiabilidad y averíasDasercars · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Motor BMW N57: diferencias con el B57Dasercars · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  3. SkyActivWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2012-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Mazda CX-3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  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
  9. Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French