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BMW Serie 3 E46 M47 (318d and 320d) problems

The BMW Serie 3 E46 used the M47 from 1998 to 2005 (318d and 320d). 6 documented faults affect it; the most important is “intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps)” (critical severity, very frequent). Our verdict depends on the version: “Buy” for M47D20 116-136 hp (1998-2001); “With caution” for M47D20TU 116-150 hp (2001-2004). It is the safest option among the documented engines of the BMW Serie 3 E46.

BMW Serie 3 E46 (1998–2005) — Photo: André Karwath aka Aka · CC BY-SA 2.5 · Wikimedia Commons. Reference image for this generation.

Engine score on this car

2.1 out of 10Very low reliability

Only counting the faults that affect the versions and years of the Serie 3 E46. How we calculate it

Overall score for the BMW Serie 3 E46

4.8 out of 10Low reliability

Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown

Reviewed on 27 September 20265 sources How we work

BMW M47

Safest option

BMW M47 (M47D20 / M47TU / M47TU2 / M47R) · Diesel

In the Serie 3 E46: 1998–2005^[1][2]
Names: 318d · 320d
Faults that affect it: 6 · 3 of high or critical severity

Risk index on this car

Very high risk

Verdict for the versions it uses

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]

Faults that affect the Serie 3 E46

Critical severityFrequency: 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.
High severityFrequency: 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.
Medium severityFrequency: 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.
Medium severityFrequency: 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
Critical severityFrequency: 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.
Low severityFrequency: OccasionalIntakeFaulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)On the 2.0 M47 diesel the air flow meter appears among parts that can fail with age and cause loss of power or judder. It is fixed by replacing the sensor; other causes must be ruled out first.Repair (garage): €100–€300

All versions and faults of the BMW M47

The BMW Serie 3 by year

Which engines were sold each year and which faults affect the cars of that year.

1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005

What to check before buying a used BMW Serie 3 E46 M47 (318d and 320d)

Each point comes from a documented fault that affects this car. You can tick them off as you inspect it.

If it has the BMW M47 (1998–2005)

Intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps)

Critical severity

Ask whether the intake manifold or flaps have been inspected, reinforced or removed, especially on cars built between 2001 and 2006 with a lot of urban use.^[1][3]
Watch for an unstable idle or a slight loss of power when cold: these are early symptoms that usually come before a flap breaks.^[3]

Loss of power and turbo faults

High severity

Accelerate progressively and check that the turbo's response is linear, with no whistling or noticeable loss of pull above 2,000 rpm.^[3]
If the car is from the 2001-2003 generation with 150 hp, ask explicitly about the condition of the turbo, as this is the variant with the most documented faults.^[4]

Blocked and seized injectors

Medium severity

Check whether the car gives off black smoke under hard acceleration and whether the cold idle is stable; these are among the first symptoms of dirty injectors.^[3][4]
Ask whether fuel additives have been used regularly or any preventive injector maintenance has been done.^[4]

Dual-mass flywheel wear (manual gearbox versions)

Medium severity

With the engine idling and the gearbox in neutral, listen for a metallic "clack-clack" rattle; it usually comes from the dual-mass flywheel.^[5]
Test pulling away: if the car jerks sharply when you ease the clutch out gently, it may indicate a worn dual-mass flywheel or clutch.^[5]

Oil leak from the brake vacuum pump

Critical severity

Test the brake pedal with the engine off (it should stiffen after a couple of presses) and then with the engine running; if it is already hard with the engine running, it may indicate a vacuum pump failure.^[3]
Visually inspect the area around the vacuum pump and the auxiliary belt for oil stains.^[3]

Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)

Low severity

Ask for the fault memory to be read and check that the car revs normally above 3,000 rpm, without judder or lack of pulling.
Check whether the seller has already cleaned or replaced the air flow meter; on this engine other parts carry more cost (turbo, intake manifold flaps, dual-mass flywheel).

Other engines and gearboxes of the BMW Serie 3 E46

Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.

M542000–2006 · 5 faultsHigh severity4.6 out of 10
M571999–2005 · 5 faultsCritical severity3.7 out of 10

Faults of the BMW Serie 3 E46 outside the engine

Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.

Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyCampaigns over the Takata gas generators in the front and passenger airbagsYes: the 3 Series E46 is included in several successive BMW campaigns (between 2014 and 2026) over the Takata gas generators in the driver and passenger airbags, which can degrade over the years and throw metal fragments when they deploy. The most recent ones cover cars built between 1998 and 2006.Repair: €0
High severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionCracks in the rear subframe mountingsOn the oldest cars (before March 2000, according to gebrauchtwagenberater.de), cracks can appear at the points where the rear subframe is mounted to the body, especially on six-cylinder versions; BMW offered a preventive resin sealing as an alternative to a full repair.
Medium severityFrequency: CommonSuspensionWear of the suspension bushes, ball joints and bushingsWith mileage, the suspension arm bushes, ball joints and bushings wear and cause vibrations, noises and less precise steering; fiches-auto.fr describes it as very recurrent between 60,000 and 180,000 km.Repair (garage): €300–€600Appears at around 60,000 km
Medium severityFrequency: CommonElectrical systemCentral locking and immobiliser failure due to worn relaysThe central locking can become intermittent or stop responding to the remote, and the immobiliser can fail sporadically when starting; gebrauchtwagenberater.de attributes both faults to wear in the relays of the control modules, and fiches-auto.fr records numerous testimonies of unreliable locking.
Low severityFrequency: Very frequentElectrical systemBreakage of the plastic tabs in the electric window regulator mechanismIt is one of the most frequently cited non-engine faults of the E46: a small plastic tab in the window regulator mechanism breaks with use and the window stops going up or drops on its own, on any of the four doors. fiches-auto.fr records more than 80 testimonies of this fault.Repair (garage): €150–€250Appears at around 140,000 km

Buying a BMW Serie 3 E46 M47 (318d and 320d)?

Check the history before buyingMileage, inspection record (ITV in Spain), outstanding finance and accidents for the car you are interested in, from the registration number or the VIN.Request a report

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

The M47 in other cars

BMW Serie 3 E90
BMW Serie 1 E87
BMW Serie 5 E60
BMW X3 E83
Land Rover Freelander I
MG ZT
Rover 75

What are you noticing on your BMW Serie 3 E46?

Choose what you notice and we will tell you which faults of this car cause it.

Less power8
Vibrations3
Blue smoke3
Jerking3
Noise on start-up3
Black smoke2
Window/lock failure2
Uses oil2
Suspension knocks2
Oil leak2
Coolant leak1
Coolant level drops1

The BMW Serie 3 E46 has 3 documented recalls and campaigns. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you

Frequently asked questions

Is the BMW Serie 3 E46 M47 (318d and 320d) reliable?

What faults does the BMW Serie 3 E46 M47 (318d and 320d) have?

The documented ones that affect this car are: intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps) (critical severity), loss of power and turbo faults (high severity), blocked and seized injectors (medium severity), dual-mass flywheel wear (manual gearbox versions) (medium severity), oil leak from the brake vacuum pump (critical severity) and faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power) (low severity).

Which engine should you choose for the BMW Serie 3 E46?

The safest option is the BMW M47 in its M47D20 116-136 hp (1998-2001) version, with a «Buy» verdict.

Own a BMW Serie 3 E46 M47 (318d and 320d)? Tell us what faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.

Sources

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

BMW M47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW 3 Series (E46)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Motor BMW M47: problemas y averíasDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
BMW 3er E46: typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Dual-mass flywheel BMW: symptoms, failures and when to replace itRecambios y Accesorios BMW · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026