BMW M57 vs 2.2 HDi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.2 HDi carries less risk than the BMW M57: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). The BMW M57 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken intake 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 M57

High risk · 2 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 202613 sources How 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 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.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 4 of the 2.2 HDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M57 and 2.2 HDi
Item	BMW M57	2.2 HDi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	2,179 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	150–286 hp	128–204 hp
Production	1998–2010^[1][8]	2000–2015^{[4][6][9][10][11]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	63High risk	48Moderate risk
Documented faults	4	4
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Broken intake swirl flaps High severity: Crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve failure Medium severity: Cracked exhaust manifold	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	None	2.2 HDi 150-156 (single variable-geometry turbo, 2006-2012)^[12][13]
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 HDi 128-138 (DW12 TED4, single turbo, 2000-2006)^[7] 2.2 HDi 170-175 twin-turbo (DW12 BTED4, 2005-2010)^[7][10] 2.2 HDi 190-204 twin-turbo (DW12 C, 2010-2015)^[10]
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 M57

See the 10 models with the BMW M57

2.2 HDi

See the 12 models with the 2.2 HDi

Other comparisons

With the BMW M57

With the 2.2 HDi

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 M57Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Motor BMW M57 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
BMW M57D30 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
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 M57Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
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