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BMW M57 vs Skyactiv-D: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Skyactiv-D carries less risk than the BMW M57: 55/100 versus 63/100 (both high risk). The BMW M57 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken intake swirl flaps»; the Skyactiv-D has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations».

Risk index

BMW M57

63

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

Skyactiv-D

55

High 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

16 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW M57 reliable?

The BMW M57 (1998-2010) is a six-cylinder diesel with a reputation for great mechanical longevity, capable of exceeding 500,000 km when well maintained, but a good share of the versions built before 2008 -especially with an automatic gearbox- have metal swirl flaps in the intake that can break and wreck the engine; check whether the car has them and what condition they are in before buying.[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the BMW M57 faults

Is the Skyactiv-D reliable?

The Skyactiv-D is a modern and generally reliable diesel, but across its three displacements (1.5, 1.8 and 2.2) it shares oil dilution with diesel fuel during diesel particulate filter regenerations, which means you need to watch the oil level and not stretch oil changes, especially on short journeys; the older 2.2s (2012-2014) also accumulate more turbo and carbon build-up cases.[4][5][6][7]

See the 4 of the Skyactiv-D faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M57 and Skyactiv-D
BMW M57Skyactiv-D
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power150–286 hp105–184 hp
Production1998–2010[1][8]since 2012[4][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)63High risk55High risk
Documented faults44
Of high or critical severity23
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Broken intake swirl flaps
  2. High severity: Crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve failure
  3. Medium severity: Cracked exhaust manifold
  1. High severity: Oil dilution with diesel during DPF regenerations
  2. High severity: Turbo wear or failure from lack of lubrication
  3. Critical severity: Oil pump chain breakage and camshaft wear
Most expensive documented repairNo reliable dataNo reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • M57D25, 2.5 litres (150-197 hp, 2000-2010 depending on application)[2]
  • M57D30, first-generation 3.0 litres (177-193 hp, 1998-2006 depending on application)[2]
  • M57D30TU, first revision 3.0 litres (201-272 hp, 2001-2006)[2]
  • M57D30TU2, second revision 3.0 litres, aluminium block (204-286 hp, 2004-2010)[2]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175 (SH-VPTS, 2012-2017)[5][11][12]
  • 2.2 Skyactiv-D 150/175/184 (SH-VPTS, 2017-2021)[6][13]
  • 1.5 Skyactiv-D 105 (S5-DPTS, 2015-2018)[7][14]
  • 1.8 Skyactiv-D 116 (S8-DPTS, 2018-present)[7][15][16]
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 M57

See the 10 models with the BMW M57

Skyactiv-D

See the 7 models with the Skyactiv-D

Other comparisons

With the BMW M57

With the Skyactiv-D

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 M57Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Motor BMW M57 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. BMW M57D30 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. SkyActivWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2012-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité Mazda CX-3Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. BMW M57Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Mazda CX-5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Mazda3Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Aviso a todos los propietarios de Mazda CX-5 Dieselkm77 · Motoring press · published 22 May 2013 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Fiabilité Mazda CX-5 II (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  14. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2013-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  15. Fiabilité Mazda CX-30Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  16. Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2019-)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French