Skip to content
MotorFiable
en

BMW M47 vs TDV6 / SDV6: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the TDV6 / SDV6 carries less risk than the BMW M47: 46/100 (moderate risk) versus 79/100 (very high risk). The BMW M47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps)»; the TDV6 / SDV6 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Crankshaft breakage and spinning main bearing shells».

Risk index

BMW M47

79

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

TDV6 / SDV6

46

Moderate 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

13 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW M47 reliable?

The BMW M47 (1998-2007, a 4-cylinder diesel fitted to the 3 Series E46/E90, 1 Series E87, 5 Series E60, X3 E83, the Rover 75 and the Land Rover Freelander) is solid in its basic mechanicals, but the common rail versions, built since 2001, carry a serious and well-documented problem: the intake manifold swirl flaps can break and enter the cylinder, with a risk of engine damage. The turbo and injectors also account for known faults.[1][2][3][4]

See the 6 of the BMW M47 faults

Is the TDV6 / SDV6 reliable?

The Land Rover and Jaguar TDV6/SDV6 diesel V6 engines, shared with Peugeot and Citroën, have a serious documented fault: crankshaft and main bearing shells on the 3.0, and the belt-driven oil pump on the 2.7. Insist on a service history and weigh up the repair cost before buying.[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the TDV6 / SDV6 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M47 and TDV6 / SDV6
BMW M47TDV6 / SDV6
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,995 cm³2,720 cm³
TimingChainWet belt (belt-in-oil)
Power116–163 hp188–302 hp
Production1998–2007[1][2][8][9]2004–2018[10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)79Very high risk46Moderate risk
Documented faults63
Of high or critical severity32
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps)
  2. High severity: Loss of power and turbo faults
  3. Medium severity: Blocked and seized injectors
  1. Critical severity: Crankshaft breakage and spinning main bearing shells
  2. Critical severity: Broken oil pump housing and timing belt jumping on the 2.7
  3. Medium severity: Turbo and pneumatic actuator failure on the 3.0 TDV6/SDV6
Most expensive documented repairup to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)Published figure[11]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • M47D20 116-136 hp (1998-2001)[1][3]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • M47D20TU 116-150 hp (2001-2004)[1][3][4]
  • M47D20TU2 122-163 hp (2004-2007)[1]
  • M47R 116-131 hp (Rover 75, MG ZT and Land Rover Freelander, 1998-2006)[1][12]
  • 2.7 TDV6 (276DT/DT17, 2004-2010)[7][13]
  • 3.0 TDV6/SDV6 (306DT, 2009-2018)[5][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 M47

See the 8 models with the BMW M47

TDV6 / SDV6

See the 14 models with the TDV6 / SDV6

Other comparisons

With the BMW M47

With the TDV6 / SDV6

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. BMW M47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. BMW M47D20 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
  3. Motor BMW M47: problemas y averíasDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. BMW 3er E46: typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. Land Rover Discovery TDV6 engine failures making headlinesLandyOnline · Other source · published October 2015 · consulted 5 October 2026
  6. Land Rover & Jaguar SDV6/TDV6 Crankshaft RepairJLR Engines · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
  7. Land Rover 2.7 TDV6 Timing Belt Replacement GuideBudget Parts (roverparts.eu) · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026
  8. BMW M47Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. BMW 3 Series (E46)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Ford AJD-V6/PSA DT17 engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  11. Caudalímetro o sensor MAF: qué es, cómo funciona y cuáles son las averías más frecuentesDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Rover 75Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  13. TdV6 Timing BeltLes Richmond Automotive (lrautomotive.com.au) · Technical documentation · consulted 5 October 2026