Intake flaps BMW: problems by model and engine

Documented faults, from most to least important

Severity × frequency. Below each one, the BMW models it appears in.

- Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentBMW M47Intake 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.
In Serie 1 E87, Serie 3 E46, Serie 3 E90, Serie 5 E60 and X3 E83
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonBMW N47Broken 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.
In Serie 1 E87, Serie 1 F20, Serie 3 E90, Serie 3 F30, Serie 5 E60 and Serie 5 F10 and 3 more models
- Critical severityFrequency: CommonBMW M57Broken intake swirl flapsYes: most automatic M57 and M57TU engines (330d, 530d, 535d, 730d, X3 3.0d and so on) have six metal flaps in the intake manifold that can seize, come loose and wreck a cylinder. The E53 X5 3.0d and the manual gearboxes of the first 330d/530d are free of them, according to a specialist workshop.
In Serie 3 E46, Serie 3 E90, Serie 5 E39, Serie 5 E60, Serie 7 E65 and X3 E83 and 2 more models

By BMW model

Open yours to see only the faults that affect it, by engine and by year.

Engines and gearboxes involved

Parts for your BMW for faults with the intake flaps

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Inlet manifold
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Frequently asked questions

What faults with the intake flaps do BMW cars have?

In 14 models from BMW there are 3 documented faults with the intake flaps. The most important: intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps), broken intake manifold swirl flaps and broken intake swirl flaps. Each fault has its own page with the affected years and versions, the symptoms and the repair cost.

Which BMW models have the most problems with the intake flaps?

BMW Serie 5 E60 (3 faults), BMW X3 E83 (3 faults), BMW Serie 3 E90 (3 faults) and BMW Serie 3 E46 (2 faults).

Which BMW engines have faults with the intake flaps?

BMW M47 (1 fault), BMW M57 (1 fault) and BMW N47 (1 fault).