BMW N47 vs e-Skyactiv D 3.3: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 carries less risk than the BMW N47: 21/100 (low risk) versus 87/100 (very high risk). The BMW N47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Rear timing chain stretch and breakage»; the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Stalling and restart failures due to control unit software».

Risk index

BMW N47

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

e-Skyactiv D 3.3

Low 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 29 October 202617 sources How we work

Is the BMW N47 reliable?

The BMW N47 (2007-2016, including its MINI derivatives N47C16/N47C20) is mechanically sound in the basics, but it carries a serious, well-documented design flaw: the rear timing chain wears or breaks prematurely on many units, especially those built between 2007 and 2009, with repairs from €1,500 to over €8,000 if the engine ends up damaged. Without a clear timing history, great caution is needed.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the BMW N47 faults

Is the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 reliable?

The e-Skyactiv D 3.3 is an inline-six diesel with mild-hybrid assistance that Mazda debuted in the CX-60. It is a very recent engine: there is no in-service reliability data, and what is documented are software recalls (stalling, restarting, clutch) fixed at the official dealer.^[5][6][7]

See the 2 of the e-Skyactiv D 3.3 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N47 and e-Skyactiv D 3.3
Item	BMW N47	e-Skyactiv D 3.3
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,995 cm³	3,283 cm³
Timing	Chain	—
Power	90–218 hp	254 hp
Production	2007–2016^{[1][8][9][10]}	since 2022^[11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	87Very high risk	21Low risk
Documented faults	5	2
Of high or critical severity	3	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Rear timing chain stretch and breakage Critical severity: Broken intake manifold swirl flaps High severity: Turbo and wastegate valve failure	High severity: Stalling and restart failures due to control unit software High severity: Clutch between engine and electric motor that does not re-engage after braking
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Rear timing chain stretch and breakagePublished figure^{[13][14][15][16][17]}	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	N47D20 116 hp (K0/K1, 2007-2014)^[1][4] N47D20 143 hp (U0/U1, 2007-2014)^[1][4] N47D20 177-184 hp (O0/O1, 2007-2014)^[1][4] N47D20 204-218 hp twin-turbo (2007-2014)^[1][4] N47C16 90-112 hp (MINI Cooper D, 2010-2016)^[9] N47C20 112-143 hp (MINI Cooper SD, 2011-2016)^[10]	3.3 e-Skyactiv D 254 (T3-VPTS, 2022-present)^[5][6][7]
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 N47

See the 12 models with the BMW N47

e-Skyactiv D 3.3

Mazda CX-60

Other comparisons

With the BMW N47

With the e-Skyactiv D 3.3

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Sources

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

BMW N47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
BMW's timing chain problem comes back to haunt carmakerThe Irish Times · General press · consulted 26 September 2026
El problema de la cadena de distribución en los motores N47 de BMWSeis en Línea · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fallo en la cadena de distribución BMW motores N47Arroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisión (Mazda CX-60)DVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 29 October 2026
Mazda CX-60 (2022 – 2024): engine stall (Safety Gate SR/01913/25)Car-Recalls.eu · Official body · published 23 May 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026
Mazda CX-60: The engine not responding to the accelerator after stopping (KBA 14131R)Car-Recalls.eu · Official body · published 11 August 2025 · consulted 29 October 2026
BMW N47D20 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
N47C16A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
N47C20A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
Skyactiv (apartado Skyactiv-D 3.3)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 29 October 2026
Mazda CX-60 3.3 e-Skyactiv D MHEV 254ps AWD HomuraPractical Caravan · Motoring press · consulted 29 October 2026
Motor N47 - precio cambio cadena BMWTaller Barcelona (Dasercars) · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Precio sustitución cadenas motor N47 BMW MINIArroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor BMW N47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Rotura cadena distribución y rotura motor N47OCU · Consumer association · published 2 September 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Problema cadena BMW motor N47, qué hacer y solucionesRecomotor Blog · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish