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MotorFiable

1.5 BlueHDi vs BMW M47: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.5 BlueHDi carries less risk than the BMW M47: 77/100 versus 79/100 (both very high risk). The 1.5 BlueHDi has 4 documented serious faults, the main one being «Wear and breakage of the 7 mm chain between the camshafts»; the BMW M47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps)».

Risk index

1.5 BlueHDi

77

Very high risk · 4 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW M47

79

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

26 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.5 BlueHDi reliable?

The 1.5 BlueHDi has a serious weak point in engines built from October 2017 to January 2023: the 7 mm chain linking the camshafts can stretch and break. Stellantis has recalled them and covers this fault for 10 years or 240,000 km; engines built up to August 2020 can also suffer AdBlue tank failures, with partial compensation from the manufacturer.[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.5 BlueHDi faults

Is the BMW M47 reliable?

The BMW M47 (1998-2007, a 4-cylinder diesel fitted to the 3 Series E46/E90, 1 Series E87, 5 Series E60, X3 E83, the Rover 75 and the Land Rover Freelander) is solid in its basic mechanicals, but the common rail versions, built since 2001, carry a serious and well-documented problem: the intake manifold swirl flaps can break and enter the cylinder, with a risk of engine damage. The turbo and injectors also account for known faults.[5][6][7][8]

See the 6 of the BMW M47 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.5 BlueHDi and BMW M47
1.5 BlueHDiBMW M47
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,499 cm³1,995 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power75–130 hp116–163 hp
Productionsince 2017[9][10][11][12][13][14]1998–2007[5][6][15][16]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)77Very high risk79Very high risk
Documented faults56
Of high or critical severity43
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Wear and breakage of the 7 mm chain between the camshafts
  2. Medium severity: AdBlue tank and pump failure
  3. High severity: Seizure of the high-pressure pump and injection system
  1. Critical severity: Intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps)
  2. High severity: Loss of power and turbo faults
  3. Medium severity: Blocked and seized injectors
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,500AdBlue tank and pump failurePublished figure[4][17][18][19]up to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)Published figure[20]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.5 BlueHDi with 8 mm chain (from February 2023)[2][21][22]
  • M47D20 116-136 hp (1998-2001)[5][7]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.5 BlueHDi 75-130 with 7 mm chain (October 2017 - January 2023)[23][24][25]
  • M47D20TU 116-150 hp (2001-2004)[5][7][8]
  • M47D20TU2 122-163 hp (2004-2007)[5]
  • M47R 116-131 hp (Rover 75, MG ZT and Land Rover Freelander, 1998-2006)[5][26]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.5 BlueHDi

See the 35 models with the 1.5 BlueHDi

BMW M47

See the 8 models with the BMW M47

Other comparisons

With the 1.5 BlueHDi

With the BMW M47

Compare other engines

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Sources

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

  1. 1.5 BlueHDi. Stellantis rappelle 930 000 véhicules et étend la couverture à 10 ansL'argus · Motoring press · published 3 July 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  2. Llaman a revisión a miles de Citroën, Opel, Peugeot, DS y Fiat en España con el motor diésel 1.5 BlueHDiMotorpasión · Motoring press · published 3 July 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Réservoir AdBlue Stellantis. Quels changements dans l'indemnisation des clients français ?L'argus · Motoring press · published 21 December 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  4. OCU y BEUC consiguen que Stellantis amplíe la garantía de los depósitos AdBlue defectuososOCU · Consumer association · published 27 December 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. BMW M47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. BMW M47D20 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. Motor BMW M47: problemas y averíasDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. BMW 3er E46: typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Ford DLD engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. Motor DV5Oryx Parts · Technical documentation · published 24 January 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Which Cars Have a Wet Belt? Full UK Engine List (2026)CarOkay · Other source · published 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026
  12. Opel Corsa F: Probleme mit dem Ölbad-Zahnriemen erklärtcarVertical · Other source · published 17 July 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
  13. PSA 1.5L BlueHDi: a focus on the DV5 engineSumax · Technical documentation · published July 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. Timing Belt Kit & Water Pump for Peugeot 1.5 BlueHDi - DV5RLymm Engine Parts · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  15. BMW M47Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  16. BMW 3 Series (E46)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  17. La OCU quiere tomar medidas ante los problemas del sistema de AdBlue de Citroën y Peugeotcoches.com · Motoring press · published 30 May 2023 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Solución fallo AdBlue Peugeot, Citroën y Opel: evita cambiar el depósitoST Automoción · Other source · published 11 December 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Stellantis amplía las compensaciones por los problemas técnicos de sus depósitos AdBlueMinisterio de Derechos Sociales, Consumo y Agenda 2030 · Official body · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  20. Caudalímetro o sensor MAF: qué es, cómo funciona y cuáles son las averías más frecuentesDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  21. 1.5 BlueHDi. Stellantis rappelle plusieurs milliers de véhicules pour un problème d'injectionL'argus · Motoring press · published 14 March 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  22. Europa amplía la llamada a revisión por los graves problemas del motor 1.5 BlueHDi de StellantisAutonoción · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  23. Cobertura especial para los 1.5 BlueHDi del Grupo Stellantiscoches.net · Motoring press · published 3 July 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  24. Casse chaîne 1.5 BlueHDi. Stellantis étend sa prise en charge à 7 ans ou 180 000 kmL'argus · Motoring press · published 15 January 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  25. Fiabilité moteur Stellantis 1.5 BlueHDi. Une nouvelle huile pour éviter la casseL'argus · Motoring press · published 14 January 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
  26. Rover 75Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026