BMW Serie 3 E90 M47 (318d and 320d) problems
The BMW Serie 3 E90 used the M47 from 2005 to 2007 (318d and 320d). 6 documented faults affect it; the most important is “intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps)” (critical severity, very frequent). Our verdict: “With caution”. Among the documented engines of the BMW Serie 3 E90, the safest option is the N52 / N53.
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 E90. How we calculate it
Overall score for the BMW Serie 3 E90
4.3 out of 10Low reliability
Engines, gearbox, suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car. See breakdown
BMW M47 (M47D20 / M47TU / M47TU2 / M47R) · Diesel
- In the Serie 3 E90
- 2005–2007[1]
- Names
- 318d · 320d
- Faults that affect it
- 6 · 3 of high or critical severity
Verdict for the version it uses
M47D20TU2 122-163 hp (2004-2007)2004–2007 · 122–163 hp · M47D20TU2, M47TU2D20
With cautionIt 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]
Faults that affect the Serie 3 E90
- 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
What to check before buying a used BMW Serie 3 E90 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 (2005–2007)
Intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps)
Critical severityLoss of power and turbo faults
High severityBlocked and seized injectors
Medium severityDual-mass flywheel wear (manual gearbox versions)
Medium severityOil leak from the brake vacuum pump
Critical severityOther engines and gearboxes of the BMW Serie 3 E90
Score for each one with the faults that affect this car, from best to worst.
- ZF 6HP gearbox2005–2012 · 3 faultsHigh severity5.4 out of 10
- N52 / N532005–2012 · 6 faultsHigh severity5.2 out of 10
- N54/N552007–2011 · 6 faultsHigh severity5.2 out of 10
- N43/N462005–2012 · 4 faultsCritical severity4.1 out of 10
- M572005–2008 · 4 faultsCritical severity3.7 out of 10
- N572008–2012 · 3 faultsCritical severity1.6 out of 10
- N472007–2012 · 5 faultsCritical severity1.3 out of 10
Faults of the BMW Serie 3 E90 outside the engine
Suspension, brakes, electronics and the rest of the car: they occur with any engine.
- High severityFrequency: CommonSteeringSteering rack and power steering pump failureIt is one of the faults owners cite most: fiches-auto.fr describes failures of the steering rack (sometimes locked) and of the power steering pump, mainly on the 318i and 320d, with steering columns replaced for €800-1,200 or a reprogramming for around €200-250 in France.
- Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyCampaigns over the Takata driver's airbag gas generatorsYes: the 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 is included in BMW's successive worldwide campaigns over the Takata driver's airbag gas generators, which can degrade over time and throw out metal fragments when deployed. The broadest, from May 2026, covers vehicles built between January 2006 and June 2015; an earlier one, from March 2024, had already covered older cars from 2004 and 2005.Repair: €0
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalClimate controlCampaign over fire risk from the heater fan connectorYes: in January 2021 BMW recalled around 430,000 3 Series E90/E91/E92/E93 cars in Germany (more than half a million worldwide) because the wiring connector of the heater fan regulator can corrode, cause a short circuit and set the vehicle on fire, even when parked. An earlier campaign, in autumn 2017, had already covered a first batch of cars in the United States.Repair: €0
- High severityFrequency: OccasionalElectrical systemBattery positive cable connector failureBMW recalled 2006-2011 petrol and 2009-2011 diesel 3 Series E90 cars over a faulty battery positive cable connector that can cause an electrical and engine failure, according to gebrauchtwagenberater.de.Repair: €0
- Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalSuspensionWear of shock absorbers, bushes and suspension bearingsWith mileage it is common for the E90 to need shock absorbers, bushes or suspension bearings: fiches-auto.fr places several cases between 150,000 and 170,000 km, and gebrauchtwagenberater.de cites German TÜV inspection data that flags springs and shock absorbers as a frequent point of attention.
Buying a BMW Serie 3 E90 M47 (318d and 320d)?
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The BMW Serie 3 E90 has 4 documented recalls and campaigns. See which ones and how to find out if they affect you
Frequently asked questions
Is the BMW Serie 3 E90 M47 (318d and 320d) reliable?
The BMW Serie 3 E90 used the M47 from 2005 to 2007 (318d and 320d). 6 documented faults affect it; the most important is “intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps)” (critical severity, very frequent). Our verdict: “With caution”. Among the documented engines of the BMW Serie 3 E90, the safest option is the N52 / N53.
What faults does the BMW Serie 3 E90 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 E90?
None has a «Buy» verdict; the safest option is the ZF 6HP gearbox, with a «With caution» verdict.
Own a BMW Serie 3 E90 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
- 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