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BMW B57 vs D4/D5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B57 carries less risk than the D4/D5: 22/100 (low risk) versus 64/100 (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 D4/D5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)».

Risk index

BMW B57

22

Low risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

D4/D5

64

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

11 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 D4/D5 reliable?

The Volvo D5/D4 covers two different engines: the classic 5-cylinder (2001-2016, D5244T/D5204) and the 4-cylinder VEA (D4204T, from 2013). On the former, several owners document the auxiliary belt breaking and taking the timing belt with it, destroying the engine; on the VEA the most common problems are the EGR, the DPF and oil consumption that can damage the turbo from 90,000-150,000 km. Neither is an engine to buy without checking its service history.[3][4][5][6]

See the 5 of the D4/D5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B57 and D4/D5
BMW B57D4/D5
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement2,993 cm³—
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power265–400 hp120–235 hp
Productionsince 2015[7][8]2001–2024[3][4][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)22Low risk64High risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity32
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. Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)
  2. High severity: High oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA)
  3. Medium severity: Clogged EGR valve or EGR cooler leaking into the intake
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]
  • 2.4/2.0 D3/D4/D5 5-cylinder (D5244T/D5204, 2001-2016)[5][10]
  • 2.0 D2/D3/D4/D5 VEA 4-cylinder (D4204T, 2013-2024)[5][6][11]
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

D4/D5

See the 14 models with the D4/D5

Other comparisons

With the BMW B57

With the D4/D5

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. Volvo Engine ArchitectureWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. Volvo D5: 185 CV para el S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista.es · Motoring press · published July 2005 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · 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. Volvo XC90Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French