1.6 TDI vs BMW M47: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 TDI carries less risk than the BMW M47: 45/100 (moderate risk) versus 79/100 (very high risk). The 1.6 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump»; the BMW M47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps)».

Risk index

1.6 TDI

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW M47

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

Reviewed on 27 September 202616 sources How we work

Is the 1.6 TDI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The EA189 (2009-2015, 75-105 hp) is one of the dieselgate engines: it needs the software update and, unlike the 2.0 TDI, an air flow stabiliser, on top of the typical EGR, particulate filter and turbo faults. The later EA288 (from 2012, 80-120 hp) is not singled out by the scandal, but it shares the need to keep an eye on the timing belt and the water pump.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 1.6 TDI 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 1.6 TDI and BMW M47
Item	1.6 TDI	BMW M47
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,598 cm³	1,995 cm³
Timing	Timing belt (dry)	Chain
Power	75–120 hp	116–163 hp
Production	since 2009^[3][4][9]	1998–2007^{[5][6][10][11]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	45Moderate risk	79Very high risk
Documented faults	5	6
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Medium severity: Manipulated emissions software (dieselgate) and air flow stabiliser High severity: Timing belt and water pump High severity: Variable-geometry turbo seized or with play	Critical severity: Intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps) High severity: Loss of power and turbo faults Medium severity: Blocked and seized injectors
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Clogged particulate filter (DPF)Published figure^[12][13]	up to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)Published figure^[14]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	1.6 TDI EA288 (from 2012)^[1][15]	M47D20 116-136 hp (1998-2001)^[5][7]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.6 TDI common rail EA189 (2009-2015)^[1][2]	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][16]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

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 TDI

See the 26 models with the 1.6 TDI

BMW M47

See the 8 models with the BMW M47

Other comparisons

With the 1.6 TDI

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.

Escándalo de emisiones contaminantes de vehículos VolkswagenWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Información sobre el motor EA189Volkswagen España · Manufacturer · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
VW EA189Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in German
BMW M47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW M47D20 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · 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
List of Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
BMW M47Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
BMW 3 Series (E46)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Filtro de partículas: ¿mejor limpiar o sustituir?Autofácil · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Caudalímetro o sensor MAF: qué es, cómo funciona y cuáles son las averías más frecuentesDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Bomba de agua del coche: la avería de más de 1.500 euros que arrastra la correa de distribuciónMotor16 · Motoring press · published 21 September 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Rover 75Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026