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2.0 HDi vs BMW N47: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 HDi carries less risk than the BMW N47: 55/100 (high risk) versus 87/100 (very high risk). The 2.0 HDi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Variable-geometry turbo failures (actuator, sensors and clogging)»; the BMW N47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Rear timing chain stretch and breakage».

Risk index

2.0 HDi

55

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW N47

87

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

21 sourcesHow we work

Is the 2.0 HDi reliable?

It is a robust diesel in its simplest 90 hp version, but the 136 to 140 hp generation with a DPF (2004-2011) concentrates the engine's problems: turbo, DPF, EGR and, above all, a dual-mass flywheel that fails very often. The BlueHDi engines (from 2013) are mechanically more reliable, but add an AdBlue tank that can crystallise; the OCU (Spanish consumer organisation) has reported this fault in Spain and Stellantis covers it with a compensation programme.[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the 2.0 HDi faults

Is the BMW N47 reliable?

The BMW N47 (2007-2016, including its MINI derivatives N47C16/N47C20) is mechanically sound in the basics, but it carries a serious, well-documented design flaw: the rear timing chain wears or breaks prematurely on many units, especially those built between 2007 and 2009, with repairs from €1,500 to over €8,000 if the engine ends up damaged. Without a clear timing history, great caution is needed.[5][6][7][8]

See the 5 of the BMW N47 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 2.0 HDi and BMW N47
2.0 HDiBMW N47
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,997 cm³1,995 cm³
TimingTiming belt (dry)Chain
Power90–180 hp90–218 hp
Production1999–2021[1][9][10][11][12]2007–2016[5][13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)55High risk87Very high risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity23
Worst severityHigh severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. High severity: Variable-geometry turbo failures (actuator, sensors and clogging)
  2. High severity: DPF clogging on additive-type systems (Eolys/cerine)
  3. Medium severity: Premature dual-mass flywheel wear (from 107/110 hp)
  1. Critical severity: Rear timing chain stretch and breakage
  2. Critical severity: Broken intake manifold swirl flaps
  3. High severity: Turbo and wastegate valve failure
Most expensive documented repairup to €1,200AdBlue tank crystallisation and failures (BlueHDi)Published figure[3][4][16]up to €3,000Rear timing chain stretch and breakagePublished figure[17][18][19][20][21]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions
  • 2.0 HDi 90 (DW10TD, 1999-2005)[1]
  • 2.0 HDi 150/163 DPF (DW10C / DW10CTED4, 2007-2013)[1]
None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • 2.0 HDi 107/110 (DW10ATED / DW10ATED4, 2000-2008)[1]
  • 2.0 HDi 136/138/140 DPF (DW10BTED4, 2004-2011)[1]
  • 2.0 BlueHDi 120/150/163/180 (DW10FE / DW10FD / DW10FC, 2013-2021)[1][2][3][4]
  • N47D20 116 hp (K0/K1, 2007-2014)[5][8]
  • N47D20 143 hp (U0/U1, 2007-2014)[5][8]
  • N47D20 177-184 hp (O0/O1, 2007-2014)[5][8]
  • N47D20 204-218 hp twin-turbo (2007-2014)[5][8]
  • N47C16 90-112 hp (MINI Cooper D, 2010-2016)[14]
  • N47C20 112-143 hp (MINI Cooper SD, 2011-2016)[15]
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

Other comparisons

With the 2.0 HDi

With the BMW N47

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. Fiabilité du 2.0 HDIFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  2. AdBlue : problèmes en pagailleFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  3. Más problemas para Stellantis: ahora tendrá que indemnizar también a los afectados por el AdBlueAutopista · Motoring press · published 30 December 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. El fallo que afecta a cientos de coches y que ahora la OCU denuncia para reclamar indemnizacionesAutopista · Motoring press · published 29 May 2023 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. BMW N47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  6. BMW's timing chain problem comes back to haunt carmakerThe Irish Times · General press · consulted 26 September 2026
  7. El problema de la cadena de distribución en los motores N47 de BMWSeis en Línea · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  8. Fallo en la cadena de distribución BMW motores N47Arroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Peugeot 307Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Peugeot 3008Wikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Citroën C4 PicassoWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. BMW N47D20 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  14. N47C16A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  15. N47C20A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  16. Aditivo AdBlue: qué debes usar para evitar una reparación de 2.000 euros en tu coche diéselAutopista · Motoring press · published 1 April 2026 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Motor N47 - precio cambio cadena BMWTaller Barcelona (Dasercars) · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  18. Precio sustitución cadenas motor N47 BMW MINIArroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  19. Motor BMW N47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  20. Rotura cadena distribución y rotura motor N47OCU · Consumer association · published 2 September 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  21. Problema cadena BMW motor N47, qué hacer y solucionesRecomotor Blog · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish