BMW B57 vs D5 5 cilindros: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B57 carries less risk than the D5 5 cilindros: 22/100 (low risk) versus 39/100 (moderate 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 D5 5 cilindros has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it».

Risk index

BMW B57

Low risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

D5 5 cilindros

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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

Reviewed on 5 October 202611 sources How 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 D5 5 cilindros reliable?

Volvo's five-cylinder D5 (2.4 D3/D4/D5 and 2.0 D3/D4) has no documented systemic fault, but it does carry one serious risk: several owners report that a snapped auxiliary belt took the timing belt with it. The rest is EGR, DPF and the odd turbo.^[3][4][5]

See the 4 of the D5 5 cilindros faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B57 and D5 5 cilindros
Item	BMW B57	D5 5 cilindros
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	2,993 cm³	2,400 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	265–400 hp	126–215 hp
Production	since 2015^[6][7]	2001–2015^{[8][9][10][11]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	22Low risk	39Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	4
Of high or critical severity	3	1
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Medium severity: AdBlue/SCR system fault (NOx sensors, heater and pump) High severity: EGR cooler leaks on the B57 (limited action on the 540d xDrive) High severity: Timing chain wear on the gearbox side	Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing with it Medium severity: EGR valve and EGR cooler clogged with carbon Medium severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	up to €1,400Turbocharger failurePublished figure^[5]
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 D and D5 of 130-163 hp (D5244T, 2001-2009)^[3][4] 2.4 D5 of 175-215 hp and D4 of 181 hp (D5244T4/T10/T11/T14/T15, 2005-2015)^[3][4] 2.0 D3/D4 five-cylinder (D5204T, 2011-2016)^[4][11]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

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

D5 5 cilindros

See the 10 models with the D5 5 cilindros

Other comparisons

With the BMW B57

With the D5 5 cilindros

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Motor BMW B57: fiabilidad y averíasDasercars · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
Motor BMW N57: diferencias con el B57Dasercars · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilidad Volvo S60 (2010-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Fiabilidad Volvo XC60 (2008-2017): averías y testimoniosFiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Problemas Volvo XC90 D5Total Renting · General press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
BMW B57 (Wikipedia en)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
BMW B57 (Wikipedia de)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
Volvo D5 de 185 CV para S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista · Motoring press · published 27 July 2005 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
Volvo V70 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo S80 (motorizaciones por generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Volvo V60 (motorizaciones de la primera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026