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BMW B47 vs 1.9 dCi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.9 dCi carries less risk than the BMW B47: 67/100 versus 73/100 (both high risk). The BMW B47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire»; the 1.9 dCi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings».

Risk index

BMW B47

73

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.9 dCi

67

High risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

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

12 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW B47 reliable?

The BMW B47 (since 2014, successor to the N47) improves the timing chain tensioner, guides and oil supply and greatly reduces the failure rate of its predecessor, but it is not free of problems: the EGR cooler has been the subject of several BMW technical campaigns for engine fire risk since 2018, and the turbo and particulate filter need careful maintenance.[1][2][3][4]

See the 4 of the BMW B47 faults

Is the 1.9 dCi reliable?

The 1.9 dCi (F9Q) was Renault's first common-rail diesel (1999) and powered a large part of its range, and those of Nissan and Volvo, for more than a decade. It has well-documented weak points: on versions of up to 120 hp built before 2005, the big-end bearings can seize and the turbo tends to degrade around 150,000 km; the injectors, the EGR valve and, on the 120 hp versions, the dual-mass flywheel also fail fairly often.[5][6][7][8][9]

See the 5 of the 1.9 dCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B47 and 1.9 dCi
BMW B471.9 dCi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,995 cm³1,870 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power114–228 hp80–130 hp
Productionsince 2014[1]1999–2011[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)73High risk67High risk
Documented faults45
Of high or critical severity33
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire
  2. High severity: Timing chain wear (improved, but is it really at the front?)
  3. High severity: Premature turbo wear from neglected maintenance
  1. Critical severity: Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings
  2. High severity: Premature turbocharger wear
  3. High severity: Failures of the Delphi direct-injection injectors
Most expensive documented repairup to €2,000Premature turbo wear from neglected maintenancePublished figure[3]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • B47 114-150 hp, single turbo (2014-)[2][4]
  • B47 168-190 hp, single turbo (2014-)[2][4]
  • B47 202-228 hp, twin-turbo (2015-)[2][4]
  • B47C20 (MINI Cooper D/SD and Countryman, 2014-)[1][4]
  • 1.9 dCi 95-120 (F9Q, first generation, 1999-2005)[7]
  • 1.9 dCi 125-130 (F9Q, Energy dCi, 2005-2011)[7]
  • 1.9 dCi 80-101 (F9Q, vans and commercial vehicles, 1999-2007)[5][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

Other comparisons

With the BMW B47

With the 1.9 dCi

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Sources

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

  1. BMW B47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  2. 324.000 diésel de BMW tendrán que pasar por el taller en Europa, por un posible riesgo de incendio en la EGRDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 August 2018 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Motor BMW B47: problemas, modelos y qué revisarCarexam · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Motor BMW B47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Renault Mégane II (2002 – 2009): Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  6. Renault Scénic II (2003 – 2009) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. Achat d'occasion : faut-il éviter le moteur 1.9 dCi F9Q chez Renault ?Planète Renault · Motoring press · published 24 January 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. Diesels : volant moteur défectueuxFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  9. Vanne EGR : problèmes et pannesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  10. Renault F-Type engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. Moteur F RenaultWikipédia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  12. Renault Espace IVWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German