BMW B57 vs BMW N47: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B57 carries less risk than the BMW N47: 22/100 (low risk) versus 87/100 (very high risk). The BMW B57 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «EGR cooler leaks on the B57 (limited action on the 540d xDrive)»; the BMW N47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Rear timing chain stretch and breakage».

Risk index

BMW B57

Low risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

BMW N47

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 4 October 202616 sources How we work

Is the BMW B57 reliable?

The BMW B57 (2015 onwards) is the six-cylinder diesel that succeeded the N57. The sources consulted document no widespread faults: its most cited weak point is the AdBlue/SCR system, and it was left out of the big EGR campaigns that hit the N47 and N57. The timing chain is still at the back, next to the gearbox.^[1][2]

See the 4 of the BMW B57 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.^[3][4][5][6]

See the 5 of the BMW N47 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B57 and BMW N47
Item	BMW B57	BMW N47
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	2,993 cm³	1,995 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	265–400 hp	90–218 hp
Production	since 2015^[7][8]	2007–2016^{[3][9][10][11]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	22Low risk	87Very high risk
Documented faults	4	5
Of high or critical severity	3	3
Worst severity	High severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Medium severity: AdBlue/SCR system fault (NOx sensors, heater and pump) High severity: EGR cooler leaks on the B57 (limited action on the 540d xDrive) High severity: Timing chain wear on the gearbox side	Critical severity: Rear timing chain stretch and breakage Critical severity: Broken intake manifold swirl flaps High severity: Turbo and wastegate valve failure
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	up to €3,000Rear timing chain stretch and breakagePublished figure^{[12][13][14][15][16]}
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	B57D30 265 hp, single turbo (B57D30O0, 2015-2020)^[1] B57D30 286-340 hp, twin turbo with 48 V (B57D30O2/T2, 2020 onwards)^[1]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	B57D30 320 hp, twin turbo (B57D30T0, 2015-2020)^[1] B57D30 400 hp, four turbos (B57D30S0, 2016-2020)^[1]	N47D20 116 hp (K0/K1, 2007-2014)^[3][6] N47D20 143 hp (U0/U1, 2007-2014)^[3][6] N47D20 177-184 hp (O0/O1, 2007-2014)^[3][6] N47D20 204-218 hp twin-turbo (2007-2014)^[3][6] N47C16 90-112 hp (MINI Cooper D, 2010-2016)^[10] N47C20 112-143 hp (MINI Cooper SD, 2011-2016)^[11]
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

BMW B57

See the 9 models with the BMW B57

BMW N47

See the 12 models with the BMW N47

Other comparisons

With the BMW B57

With the BMW N47

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Sources

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

Motor BMW B57: fiabilidad y averíasDasercars · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
Motor BMW N57: diferencias con el B57Dasercars · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
BMW N47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
BMW's timing chain problem comes back to haunt carmakerThe Irish Times · General press · consulted 26 September 2026
El problema de la cadena de distribución en los motores N47 de BMWSeis en Línea · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fallo en la cadena de distribución BMW motores N47Arroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
BMW B57 (Wikipedia en)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
BMW B57 (Wikipedia de)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
BMW N47D20 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
N47C16A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
N47C20A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
Motor N47 - precio cambio cadena BMWTaller Barcelona (Dasercars) · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Precio sustitución cadenas motor N47 BMW MINIArroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor BMW N47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Rotura cadena distribución y rotura motor N47OCU · Consumer association · published 2 September 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Problema cadena BMW motor N47, qué hacer y solucionesRecomotor Blog · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish