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BMW B57 vs 1.4 TDI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW B57 carries less risk than the 1.4 TDI: 22/100 (low risk) versus 38/100 (moderate 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 1.4 TDI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

BMW B57

22

Low risk · 3 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.4 TDI

38

Moderate risk · 2 serious faults

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 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 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.[3][4][5]

See the 4 of the 1.4 TDI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW B57 and 1.4 TDI
BMW B571.4 TDI
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement2,993 cm³1,422 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power265–400 hp69–90 hp
Productionsince 2015[6][7]1999–2019[4][5]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)22Low risk38Moderate risk
Documented faults44
Of high or critical severity32
Worst severityHigh severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Medium severity: AdBlue/SCR system fault (NOx sensors, heater and pump)
  2. High severity: EGR cooler leaks on the B57 (limited action on the 540d xDrive)
  3. High severity: Timing chain wear on the gearbox side
  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 repairNo reliable dataup to €2,000Clogged particulate filter (DPF)Published figure[8]
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]
  • 1.4 TDI common rail EA288 (2014-2019)[3][4]
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • B57D30 320 hp, twin turbo (B57D30T0, 2015-2020)[1]
  • B57D30 400 hp, four turbos (B57D30S0, 2016-2020)[1]
  • 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 B57

See the 8 models with the BMW B57

1.4 TDI

See the 10 models with the 1.4 TDI

Other comparisons

With the BMW B57

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. Motor BMW B57: fiabilidad y averíasDasercars · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Motor BMW N57: diferencias con el B57Dasercars · Motoring press · consulted 4 October 2026 · in Spanish
  3. Escándalo de emisiones contaminantes de vehículos VolkswagenWikipedia (español) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. VW EA288Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. List of discontinued Volkswagen Group diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. BMW B57 (Wikipedia en)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026
  7. BMW B57 (Wikipedia de)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 4 October 2026 · in German
  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