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1.6 dCi vs BMW M57: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 dCi carries less risk than the BMW M57: 48/100 (moderate risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). The 1.6 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure or breakage»; the BMW M57 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken intake swirl flaps».

Risk index

1.6 dCi

48

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW M57

63

High risk · 2 serious faults

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

15 sourcesHow we work

Is the 1.6 dCi reliable?

The 1.6 dCi (R9M) is a diesel with a generally reasonable track record, but with well-documented known faults: the turbo fails relatively often, even at low mileage, the EGR valve clogs, the particulate filter can block up on short journeys, and there are cases of oil leaks from the timing chain cover that go as far as requiring the engine to be removed.[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 dCi faults

Is the BMW M57 reliable?

The BMW M57 (1998-2010) is a six-cylinder diesel with a reputation for great mechanical longevity, capable of exceeding 500,000 km when well maintained, but a good share of the versions built before 2008 -especially with an automatic gearbox- have metal swirl flaps in the intake that can break and wreck the engine; check whether the car has them and what condition they are in before buying.[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the BMW M57 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.6 dCi and BMW M57
1.6 dCiBMW M57
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,598 cm³—
TimingChainChain
Power95–165 hp150–286 hp
Production2011–2020[2][8][9][10][11]1998–2010[5][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)48Moderate risk63High risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Premature turbocharger failure or breakage
  2. High severity: Oil leak from the timing chain cover
  3. Medium severity: Blocked or failed EGR valve
  1. Critical severity: Broken intake swirl flaps
  2. High severity: Crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve failure
  3. Medium severity: Cracked exhaust manifold
Most expensive documented repairup to €3,000Premature turbocharger failure or breakagePublished figure[13]up to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M57 (loss of power)Published figure[14]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 1.6 dCi in Mercedes-Benz (OM 622/OM 626, 115 and 136 hp, 2014-2018)[9]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 1.6 dCi Euro 5 (110 and 130 hp, 2011-2015)[1][2]
  • 1.6 Energy dCi Euro 6 with NOx trap (130 and 160/165 hp, 2015-2019)[1][2][3][4][15]
  • 1.6 dCi for vans (95, 115, 125 and 145 hp, Trafic III/Vivaro B/Talento, 2014-2020)[11]
  • M57D25, 2.5 litres (150-197 hp, 2000-2010 depending on application)[6]
  • M57D30, first-generation 3.0 litres (177-193 hp, 1998-2006 depending on application)[6]
  • M57D30TU, first revision 3.0 litres (201-272 hp, 2001-2006)[6]
  • M57D30TU2, second revision 3.0 litres, aluminium block (204-286 hp, 2004-2010)[6]
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

1.6 dCi

See the 15 models with the 1.6 dCi

BMW M57

See the 10 models with the BMW M57

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 dCi

With the BMW M57

Compare other engines

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

Sources

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

  1. Fiabilité Renault Espace 5 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. Fiabilité Renault Kadjar : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai 2 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  4. Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  5. BMW M57Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. Motor BMW M57 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  7. BMW M57D30 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Nuevo Renault Energy dCi 130 CVCoches.net · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. Mercedes-Benz OM 622 / OM 626Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  10. Renault EspaceWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  12. BMW M57Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  13. Las 10 averías del coche más caras en 2026: cuánto cuesta cada reparaciónMotorpoint · Motoring press · published 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Caudalímetro o sensor MAF: qué es, cómo funciona y cuáles son las averías más frecuentesDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Si no hubo fraude, ¿por qué 15.000 Renault Captur y Espace serán revisados por un nivel de emisiones excesivo?Diariomotor · Motoring press · published 19 January 2016 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish