BMW M47 engine: faults and reliability

• M47D20 116-136 hp (1998-2001)

  1998–2001 · 116–136 hp · M47D20

  Buy

  It predates the introduction of the swirl flaps, the M47's best-documented problem, and we have not found a serious fault specifically documented for this first rotary-pump version; even so, given its age, the turbo and injectors should be checked as on any diesel more than 20 years old.^[1][3]

• M47D20TU 116-150 hp (2001-2004)

  2001–2004 · 116–150 hp · M47D20TU, M47TUD20

  With caution

  It already has the swirl flaps, with a risk of serious damage if they break, and the 150 hp variant built between September 2001 and November 2003 also accounts for documented turbo faults.^[1][3][4]

• M47D20TU2 122-163 hp (2004-2007)

  2004–2007 · 122–163 hp · M47D20TU2, M47TU2D20

  With caution

  It carries the same swirl flap risk as the previous revision until BMW strengthened the design in 2006; check whether the manifold has already been inspected or reinforced.^[1]

• M47R 116-131 hp (Rover 75, MG ZT and Land Rover Freelander, 1998-2006)

  1998–2006 · 116–131 hp · M47R

  With caution

  The M47R was designed with a different turbo and thermal management from the BMW-badged engine, so the faults documented in this entry for the D20/TU/TU2 versions cannot be directly extrapolated to it; we recommend general caution and a full mechanical inspection before buying.^[1][7]

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. 1Critical severityVery frequentFrequency: Very frequentIntakeIntake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps)Yes: the common rail versions of the M47 (built since 2001) have flaps in the intake manifold that, with diesel soot and heat cycles, can break and be sucked into the cylinder, with a risk of serious damage to the piston, cylinder head and valves.
2. 2High severityCommonFrequency: CommonTurboLoss of power and turbo faultsThe M47's turbo does not usually fail suddenly, but it loses power gradually as carbon builds up in the variable geometry; the 150 hp variant built between September 2001 and November 2003 also accounts for turbo faults documented by specialist workshops.
3. 3Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonInjectionBlocked and seized injectorsOver the miles, carbon builds up around the M47's injector seats and can seize them; a German used-car guide adds that the high-pressure pump on the first common rail units (before the first facelift) is relatively prone to failure.
4. 4Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonClutchDual-mass flywheel wear (manual gearbox versions)On BMWs with the M47 engine and a manual gearbox, the dual-mass flywheel can wear with mileage, especially with a lot of urban use or long spells in high gears at low revs; typical symptoms are vibrations, a metallic rattle at idle and jerking when pulling away.Appears at around 150,000 km
5. 5Critical severityRareFrequency: RareOtherOil leak from the brake vacuum pumpA BMW specialist workshop documents that the seals of the M47's vacuum pump, which generates the vacuum needed for brake assistance because a diesel does not produce it naturally, can wear and let oil through, which can end up stiffening the brake pedal.

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

Manufacturer

BMW

Family

M47

Fuel

Diesel

Displacement

1,995 cm³

Cylinders

4

Fuel system

Turbo

Injection

Common rail

Timing

Chain

Power

116–163 hp

Production

1998–2007

Makes

BMW, Rover and Land Rover

Technical data^[1][2][5][6]

1. 1998–2001

   M47D20 116-136 hp (1998-2001)

   First generation of the M47, with direct injection via a Bosch VP44 rotary pump (no common rail) and no swirl flaps in the manifold; it replaced the M41 in 1998 with a displacement of 1,951 cc and outputs of 116 and 136 hp.^[1][5][6]

2. 1998–2006

   M47R 116-131 hp (Rover 75, MG ZT and Land Rover Freelander, 1998-2006)

   Version designed by Rover Group and the Steyr engineers for transverse mounting, with common rail injection from the start, a Mitsubishi turbo (Rover 75 and MG ZT) or variable-geometry Garrett turbo (Land Rover Freelander) and different thermal management from the BMW-badged versions.^[1][7][9]

3. 2001–2004

   M47D20TU 116-150 hp (2001-2004)

   First revision (M47TU), with common rail injection, displacement increased to 1,995 cc and swirl flaps added to the manifold; the 150 hp variant, built between September 2001 and November 2003, also accounts for turbo faults documented by specialist workshops.^[1][4]

4. 2004–2007

   M47D20TU2 122-163 hp (2004-2007)

   Second common rail revision (M47TU2), with more power, up to 163 hp, and the same swirl flap risk as the TU until BMW strengthened the design (sturdier flaps and a larger-diameter shaft) in 2006.^[1]