BMW B57 engine: faults and reliability

• B57D30 265 hp, single turbo (B57D30O0, 2015-2020)

  2015–2020 · 265 hp · B57D30O0

  Buy

  There are no manufacturer campaigns or widespread faults documented for this version in the sources consulted; the issues described by a specialist garage (AdBlue, rear chain) are occasional or rare. It is worth checking the history of the AdBlue system.^[1]

• B57D30 320 hp, twin turbo (B57D30T0, 2015-2020)

  2015–2020 · 320 hp · B57D30T0

  With caution

  This is the version for which a specialist garage places the 540d xDrive EGR cooler technical action in 2022; it is worth asking a dealer whether the car has had it done.^[1]

• B57D30 286-340 hp, twin turbo with 48 V (B57D30O2/T2, 2020 onwards)

  since 2020 · 286–340 hp · B57D30O2, B57D30T2

  Buy

  It is the most recent version and we have no specific faults documented; being the youngest, it also has the least history. A specialist garage treats it, with the second generation of the 48 V system, as the engine's most mature phase.^[1]

• B57D30 400 hp, four turbos (B57D30S0, 2016-2020)

  2016–2020 · 400 hp · B57D30S0

  With caution

  A specialist garage recommends watching for oil in the intercooler and intake ducts on multi-turbo versions as the first warning of degradation; it is complex machinery and expensive to repair.^[1]

Buy: No known serious faults, or they have already been corrected, in this version. With caution: Worth buying if something specific is verified: history, a replaced part or a completed campaign. Avoid: High risk of a serious fault that is hard to check for or prevent.

1. 1Medium severityOccasionalFrequency: OccasionalEmissions controlAdBlue/SCR system fault (NOx sensors, heater and pump)A specialist garage considers the B57's AdBlue/SCR system the fault that most often leaves cars immobilised: a NOx sensor, the quality sensor, the heater or the pump usually fails, and topping up the tank rarely stops the countdown of remaining starts.
2. 2High severityRareFrequency: RareEmissions controlEGR cooler leaks on the B57 (limited action on the 540d xDrive)Unlike the N47 and N57, the B57 was left out of the big EGR campaigns of 2018 and 2021; a specialist garage cites only one action in 2022 for the 540d xDrive and another limited one in 2024. The fault exists but is uncommon.
3. 3High severityRareFrequency: RareTimingTiming chain wear on the gearbox sideDasercars states that the B57 does not repeat the N47's premature chain wear, but that the chain is still on the gearbox side, so any work on it is expensive. A brief rattle when cold should be checked soon.
4. 4High severityRareFrequency: RareTurboDegradation of the turbos on multi-turbo versionsOn the twin-turbo and four-turbo versions, a specialist garage considers oil in the intercooler or intake ducts the earliest warning of turbo degradation, before any fault codes appear.

Severity colours: low, medium, high, critical. How we rate them

Manufacturer

BMW

Family

B57

Fuel

Diesel

Displacement

2,993 cm³

Cylinders

6

Fuel system

Turbo

Injection

Common rail

Timing

Chain

Power

265–400 hp

Peak torque

760 Nm

Production

since 2015

Makes

BMW

Technical data^[3][4]

1. 2015–2020

   B57D30 265 hp, single turbo (B57D30O0, 2015-2020)

   The first version of the family, with a variable-geometry turbo: 195 kW (265 hp) and 620 Nm, according to Wikipedia. It appears as the 730d, 530d, X3 and X4 xDrive30d, X5 xDrive30d, X7 xDrive30d and 330d; it was replaced in 2019-2020 by the 48 V version.^[3][4][9]

2. 2015–2020

   B57D30 320 hp, twin turbo (B57D30T0, 2015-2020)

   A twin variable-geometry turbo version (235 kW, 680 Nm), available from late 2015 in the 740d, 540d, X3/X4 M40d and similar.^[3][4][10]

3. 2016–2020

   B57D30 400 hp, four turbos (B57D30S0, 2016-2020)

   A four-turbo variant (two low-pressure and two high-pressure), 294 kW and 760 Nm, in the 750d, M550d and X5/X6/X7 M50d; BMW withdrew it around 2020.^[3][4][11]

4. since 2020

   B57D30 286-340 hp, twin turbo with 48 V (B57D30O2/T2, 2020 onwards)

   The 2020 revision: 330d with 286 hp (210 kW, 650 Nm) and 40d/M340d with 340 hp (250 kW, 700 Nm), with a 48 V system and an 8 kW starter-generator; according to German Wikipedia, solenoid injectors and steel pistons arrived in 2022.^[4][6][7][8]