BMW M47 vs 2.2 HDi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.2 HDi carries less risk than the BMW M47: 48/100 (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 2.2 HDi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «DPF clogging with additive, especially on the 128-138 hp version».

Risk index

BMW M47

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.2 HDi

Moderate risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202616 sources How 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 5 of the BMW M47 faults

Is the 2.2 HDi reliable?

This is a diesel derived from the 2.0 HDi that PSA and Ford shared in large saloons and MPVs (407, 607, 807, C5, C6, C8) and that Land Rover and Ford used under their own names (TDCi, TD4, SD4) in the Mondeo IV, the Freelander 2 and the first Evoque. According to fiches-auto it does not suffer chronically from the turbo or dual-mass flywheel problems of smaller HDi engines, but the 128-138 hp version does have a recurring problem of DPF clogging.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the 2.2 HDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M47 and 2.2 HDi
Item	BMW M47	2.2 HDi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,995 cm³	2,179 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	116–163 hp	128–204 hp
Production	1998–2007^{[1][2][9][10]}	2000–2015^{[5][7][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	79Very high risk	48Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	3	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps) High severity: Loss of power and turbo faults Medium severity: Blocked and seized injectors	High severity: DPF clogging with additive, especially on the 128-138 hp version High severity: Turbo faults, somewhat more frequent on the sequential twin-turbo versions High severity: Piezo injector wear and failure
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	M47D20 116-136 hp (1998-2001)^[1][3]	2.2 HDi 150-156 (single variable-geometry turbo, 2006-2012)^[14][15]
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][16]	2.2 HDi 128-138 (DW12 TED4, single turbo, 2000-2006)^[8] 2.2 HDi 170-175 twin-turbo (DW12 BTED4, 2005-2010)^[8][12] 2.2 HDi 190-204 twin-turbo (DW12 C, 2010-2015)^[12]
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 M47

See the 7 models with the BMW M47

2.2 HDi

See the 12 models with the 2.2 HDi

Other comparisons

With the BMW M47

With the 2.2 HDi

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Sources

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

BMW M47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW M47D20 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Motor BMW M47: problemas y averíasDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
BMW 3er E46: typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Ford MondeoWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Land Rover FreelanderWikipedia (francés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 2,2 HDI 136 chevauxFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
BMW M47Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
BMW 3 Series (E46)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Range Rover EvoqueWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 2,2 HDI 204 chevauxFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai Citroën C5 Exclusive + 2.2 HDI 200 TourerActu Automobile · Motoring press · published 2011 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai Peugeot 4007 2.2 HDi DCS 6Caradisiac · Motoring press · published 7 April 2010 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Citroën C-CrosserWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Rover 75Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026