BMW M47 vs D4/D5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the D4/D5 carries less risk than the BMW M47: 64/100 (high 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 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 M47

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

D4/D5

High 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

Reviewed on 27 September 202615 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 6 of the BMW M47 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.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 6 of the D4/D5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M47 and D4/D5
Item	BMW M47	D4/D5
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,995 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	116–163 hp	120–235 hp
Production	1998–2007^{[1][2][9][10]}	2001–2024^[5][6][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	79Very high risk	64High risk
Documented faults	6	6
Of high or critical severity	3	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical 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	Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder) High severity: High oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA) Medium severity: Clogged EGR valve or EGR cooler leaking into the intake
Most expensive documented repair	up to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)Published figure^[12]	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][13]	2.4/2.0 D3/D4/D5 5-cylinder (D5244T/D5204, 2001-2016)^[7][14] 2.0 D2/D3/D4/D5 VEA 4-cylinder (D4204T, 2013-2024)^[7][8][15]
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 8 models with the BMW M47

D4/D5

See the 14 models with the D4/D5

Other comparisons

With the BMW M47

With the D4/D5

Compare other engines

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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
Volvo Engine ArchitectureWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Volvo D5: 185 CV para el S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista.es · Motoring press · published July 2005 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · 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
Volvo XC90Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Caudalímetro o sensor MAF: qué es, cómo funciona y cuáles son las averías más frecuentesDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Rover 75Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French