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BMW B47 vs 1.4 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 TDI carries less risk than the BMW B47: 38/100 (moderate risk) versus 73/100 (high risk). The BMW B47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire»; the 1.4 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

BMW B47

73

High risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.4 TDI

38

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

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

11 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 1.4 TDI reliable?

It depends on the generation. The unit-injector one (1999-2010) calls for watching the timing belt - which also drives the unit injector pumps - the water pump, the turbo and the EGR, with a DPF only on the last BlueMotion/Ecomotive versions. The later EA288 (2014-2019) is not singled out by dieselgate, which according to the sources consulted was limited to the EA189, but it shares the need to watch the belt, turbo, EGR and DPF.[5][6][7]

See the 4 of the 1.4 TDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B47 and 1.4 TDI
BMW B471.4 TDI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,995 cm³1,422 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power114–228 hp69–90 hp
Productionsince 2014[1]1999–2019[6][7]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)73High risk38Moderate risk
Documented faults44
Of high or critical severity32
Worst severityCritical severityHigh 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. High severity: Timing belt and water pump
  2. High severity: Failing turbo: loss of power, whistling or smoke
  3. Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF)
Most expensive documented repairup to €2,000Premature turbo wear from neglected maintenancePublished figure[3]up to €2,000Clogged particulate filter (DPF)Published figure[8]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.4 TDI common rail EA288 (2014-2019)[5][6]
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]
  • 1.4 TDI unit injector, 3 cylinders (1999-2010)[9][10][11]
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

BMW B47

See the 19 models with the BMW B47

1.4 TDI

See the 10 models with the 1.4 TDI

Other comparisons

With the BMW B47

With the 1.4 TDI

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. 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. Escándalo de emisiones contaminantes de vehículos VolkswagenWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  6. VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  7. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. Cuánto cuesta sustituir el filtro de partículas de un coche diéselDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  9. 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 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  10. Cuánto cuesta válvula EGRDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  11. Cómo saber si el turbo está roto o a punto de romperseMotor.es · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish