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BMW M57 vs D4/D5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW M57 carries less risk than the D4/D5: 63/100 versus 64/100 (both high risk). The BMW M57 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken intake 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 M57

63

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

D4/D5

64

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

11 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 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.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the D4/D5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M57 and D4/D5
BMW M57D4/D5
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power150–286 hp120–235 hp
Production1998–2010[1][8]2001–2024[4][5][9]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)63High risk64High risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity22
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. Critical severity: Auxiliary belt breakage that takes the timing belt with it (5-cylinder)
  2. High severity: High oil consumption from 90,000-150,000 km that harms the turbo (VEA)
  3. Medium severity: Clogged EGR valve or EGR cooler leaking into the intake
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]
  • 2.4/2.0 D3/D4/D5 5-cylinder (D5244T/D5204, 2001-2016)[6][10]
  • 2.0 D2/D3/D4/D5 VEA 4-cylinder (D4204T, 2013-2024)[6][7][11]
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

D4/D5

See the 14 models with the D4/D5

Other comparisons

With the BMW M57

With the D4/D5

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. Volvo Engine ArchitectureWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Volvo D5: 185 CV para el S60, V70, XC70 y XC90Autopista.es · Motoring press · published July 2005 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2008-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo V60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. BMW M57Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Volvo XC90Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo S60Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Fiabilité et pannes Volvo XC60 (2017-)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French