2010 BMW X3 problems

• N47D20 143 hp (U0/U1, 2007-2014)

  143 hp · N47D20U0, N47D20U1

  Same timing chain risk as the rest of the range; it is worth verifying the timing history before buying.^[2][3]

  With caution

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

  177–184 hp · N47D20O0, N47D20O1

  It is the most widely fitted N47D20 version (120d, 320d, 520d) and shares the same rear chain defect documented across the whole family.^[2][3]

  With caution

Faults that affect 2010 cars

• Critical severityFrequency: 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
• Critical severityFrequency: 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.
• High severityFrequency: 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
• Medium severityFrequency: 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
• Medium severityFrequency: 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

• M57D30TU2, second revision 3.0 litres, aluminium block (204-286 hp, 2004-2010)

  204–286 hp · M57D30TU2

  A specialist workshop expressly names the 231 hp E90 330d/330xd and the twin-turbo 335d/535d among the versions with swirl flaps; it points to only a final 197 hp revision of the 325d/525d as an exception.^[5]

  With caution

Faults that affect 2010 cars

• Critical severityFrequency: CommonIntakeBroken 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.
• High severityFrequency: CommonLubricationCrankcase ventilation (PCV) valve failureThe valve that separates oil from the crankcase gases (PCV) degrades over time, especially after 120,000-150,000 km, and can cause oil consumption, bluish smoke and a rough idle and, if ignored, foul the turbo, the EGR or the particulate filter.Appears at around 120,000 km
• Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalCylinder head and blockCracked exhaust manifoldThe M57 exhaust manifold can crack, causing loss of power, an unstable idle and a smell of exhaust fumes in the cabin; the recommended repair is to replace it with a cast one.
• Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalOtherCrankshaft pulley vibration damper failureThe M57 crankshaft vibration damper (pulley) can fail with use, warning with abnormal noises and knocking at the front of the engine before it breaks completely.

• 2nd generation (6HP21/28/32, 2007-2014)

  · 6HP21, 6HP28, 6HP28X, 6HP32, 6HP32A

  The 2007 revision did not eliminate the family's weak points: jerking and mechatronic faults are still documented on cars with this version, and Jaguar ended up replacing the 6HP with the ZF 8HP on the XF as early as 2012. It is still worth checking the gearbox service history before buying.^[6][7][8]

  With caution

Faults that affect 2010 cars

• High severityFrequency: CommonElectronicsValve body and mechatronic failure: erratic shifts or a locked-up gearboxYes, and it can be serious: there are documented failures of the ZF 6HP valve body or mechatronic unit on BMW, Audi and Land Rover models from around 90,000-100,000 km, with cases that go as far as preventing a gear from engaging (including reverse) and dealer quotes of €6,000 to €10,000.Repair: €6,000–€10,000Appears at around 90,000 km
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonTransmissionJerking and harsh shifts from converter wear and ageing oilYes: on BMW, Audi and Land Rover models with the ZF 6HP there are reports of jerking, hesitation and harsh shifts from 80,000-150,000 km, especially if the gearbox oil has never been changed. The converter locks up in all six gears to save fuel, which speeds up its wear over the years.Repair (garage): €150–€400Appears at around 80,000 km
• Medium severityFrequency: OccasionalLubricationOil leaks from the sump or the gearbox sealsYes, although in a minority of cases: there are reports of ZF 6HP gearbox oil leaks on the BMW X5 (at 180,000 km) and the Audi A6 (between 204,000 and 208,000 km). If not repaired, the loss of pressure can speed up internal wear and lead to valve body or mechatronic failure.Repair (garage): €300–€600Appears at around 180,000 km

• N52B25 2.5 (2004-2015)

  174–215 hp · N52B25

  An engine considered very reliable for a BMW, but with known weak points (water pump, oil seals, valve cover) that are best seen to have been dealt with already.^[10][11]

  With caution

• N52B30 3.0 (2004-2015)

  215–268 hp · N52B30, N51B30

  Same weak points as the N52B25; units from before the end of 2008 may have noisy hydraulic lifters.^[10][11]

  With caution

Faults that affect 2010 cars

• Medium severityFrequency: CommonCoolingElectric water pump and thermostat failureThe N52's plastic electric water pump cracks or fails sooner than a mechanical one, and the thermostat usually goes with it; it is recommended to replace it as a precaution at around 80,000-100,000 km.Repair (garage): €350–€600Appears at around 80,000 km
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonLubricationOil leak from the oil filter housing gasketThe oil filter housing gasket hardens over time and leaks oil on all N52 engines; the leak can soil the engine and damage nearby parts.
• Low severityFrequency: CommonLubricationValve cover and crankcase ventilation valveThe N52's plastic valve cover cracks with heat cycles and the crankcase ventilation system fails, causing whistling, leaks and oil consumption.Repair (garage): €200–€350

• High severityFrequency: CommonGearbox and clutchFragile xDrive transfer case, with jerking under accelerationThe xDrive transfer case on the X3 E83 has gears that are not very robust and can fail if mismatched tyres, uneven pressures between axles or old oil are combined, causing jerking under acceleration; fiches-auto.fr lists around 43 cases among its owner testimonies.
• High severityFrequency: CommonBodywork and interiorWater leaking in through the panoramic roof drainsThe drainage channels of the X3 E83's panoramic roof can become blocked and let water in, damaging the electronics; gebrauchtwagenberater.de puts the repair at an official BMW dealer at €2,100, and fiches-auto.fr lists similar cases of up to €2,500.Repair: €2,100
• Critical severityFrequency: OccasionalAirbags and safetyRisk of the driver's airbag inflator rupturing (Takata)Yes: BMW has issued three successive campaigns for the X3 E83 over the Takata driver's airbag inflator, whose chemical propellant can degrade over time and, if the airbag deploys, throw out fragments that injure the occupants.
• Medium severityFrequency: CommonSuspensionFront and rear suspension springs breakingThe rear suspension springs on the X3 E83 are frequently criticised in German TÜV inspections because of the vehicle's weight, and fiches-auto.fr also lists broken front springs among its owner testimonies.
• Low severityFrequency: CommonElectrical systemFailures of the electric window and wing mirror motorsgebrauchtwagenberater.de notes frequent failures of the X3 E83's electric wing mirrors, and fiches-auto.fr lists several faulty window motors, with repeated failures of the same mechanism in the same position.