BMW N47 engine: faults and reliability

• N47D20 116 hp (K0/K1, 2007-2014)

  2007–2014 · 116 hp · N47D20K0, N47D20K1

  With caution

  It shares with the rest of the N47 family the rear timing chain defect; it is only advisable with a well-documented maintenance and timing history.^[1][4]

• N47D20 143 hp (U0/U1, 2007-2014)

  2007–2014 · 143 hp · N47D20U0, N47D20U1

  With caution

  Same timing chain risk as the rest of the range; it is worth verifying the timing history before buying.^[1][4]

• N47D20 177-184 hp (O0/O1, 2007-2014)

  2007–2014 · 177–184 hp · N47D20O0, N47D20O1

  With caution

  It is the most widely fitted N47D20 version (120d, 320d, 520d) and shares the same rear chain defect documented across the whole family.^[1][4]

• N47D20 204-218 hp twin-turbo (2007-2014)

  2007–2014 · 204–218 hp · N47D20T0, N47S1

  With caution

  As the most highly stressed N47D20 version, the additional thermal stress does nothing to reduce the known risk of the rear timing chain.^[1][4]

• N47C16 90-112 hp (MINI Cooper D, 2010-2016)

  2010–2016 · 90–112 hp · N47C16A

  With caution

  It shares its architecture and the rear chain design with the N47D20, so the same caution about the timing history is recommended.^[6]

• N47C20 112-143 hp (MINI Cooper SD, 2011-2016)

  2011–2016 · 112–143 hp · N47C20A

  With caution

  It shares the same block and the same rear timing design as the rest of the N47 family, with the same documented risk.^[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 frequentTimingRear timing chain stretch and breakageYes: the N47 has its timing chain at the rear of the engine, next to the gearbox, and on a very high proportion of units, especially those built between 2007 and 2009, it stretches or breaks prematurely because of an inadequate tensioner, with a risk of destroying the engine.Repair (garage): €1,590–€3,000Appears at around 50,000 km
2. 2Critical severityCommonFrequency: CommonIntakeBroken intake manifold swirl flapsYes: the N47's intake manifold has plastic swirl flaps that, with diesel soot and the passing years, can crack, come loose and be sucked into the cylinder, with a risk of seriously damaging the piston, cylinder head and valves.
3. 3High severityCommonFrequency: CommonTurboTurbo and wastegate valve failureThe N47's turbo does not usually fail from general wear, but because of failure of the wastegate valve, which regulates boost and can seize or lose adjustment, sending fuel consumption soaring; oil leaks from the turbo itself are also common.Repair (garage): €900–€1,800
4. 4Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonEmissions controlClogged or seized EGR valveYes, as on most diesels of its generation: the N47's EGR valve seizes or clogs with carbon, especially on cars used in town, causing an unstable idle, jerking and loss of power; it is not usually a serious fault if it is cleaned or replaced in time.Repair (garage): €400–€1,500
5. 5Medium severityCommonFrequency: CommonClutchDual-mass flywheel wear (manual gearbox versions)Yes: on manual-gearbox BMW N47s, the dual-mass flywheel can wear, especially after a lot of town mileage or driving in high gears at low revs; the typical symptoms are vibrations, a metallic rattle at idle and jerking when pulling away.Appears at around 150,000 km

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

Manufacturer

BMW

Family

N47

Fuel

Diesel

Displacement

1,995 cm³

Cylinders

4

Fuel system

Turbo

Injection

Common rail

Timing

Chain

Power

90–218 hp

Peak torque

450 Nm

Production

2007–2016

Makes

BMW and MINI

Technical data^[1][5][6][7]

1. 2007–2014

   N47D20 116 hp (K0/K1, 2007-2014)

   Entry-level N47D20, with a fixed-geometry turbo and the lowest output in the range (116 hp). The K1 revision, from around 2011, adopted a lower-inertia IHI turbine and internal adjustments to meet Euro 5 while keeping the same output.^[1][5]

2. 2007–2014

   N47D20 143 hp (U0/U1, 2007-2014)

   Mid-range version, with a Garrett GTB1749VK turbo in the original variant (U0) and an IHI turbine in the U1 revision to meet Euro 5, both with 143 hp and 300-320 Nm.^[5]

3. 2007–2014

   N47D20 177-184 hp (O0/O1, 2007-2014)

   Higher-output version with a single turbo (MHI TF035HL) and piezo injectors, with 177 hp in its first form (O0) and 184 hp in the Euro 5 revision (O1) with a new DDE 7.1 ECU.^[5]

4. 2007–2014

   N47D20 204-218 hp twin-turbo (2007-2014)

   Top-of-the-range twin-turbo version (two Borg Warner turbos of different sizes working in sequence), reserved for the 123d and the most powerful X1 versions, with 204 hp in its original form and up to 218 hp in the final revision.^[5]

5. 2010–2016

   N47C16 90-112 hp (MINI Cooper D, 2010-2016)

   1.6-litre version that BMW fitted to the MINI Cooper D from the 2010 redesign, with outputs of 90 or 112 hp depending on the model and market.^[6][9]

6. 2011–2016

   N47C20 112-143 hp (MINI Cooper SD, 2011-2016)

   2.0-litre version for the MINI Cooper SD, with outputs from 112 to 143 hp depending on body and market, available with a manual or automatic gearbox and, in the Countryman, with ALL4 all-wheel drive.^[7]