BMW M47 vs 2.3 MultiJet: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.3 MultiJet carries less risk than the BMW M47: 25/100 (moderate risk) versus 79/100 (very high risk). The BMW M47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps)»; the 2.3 MultiJet has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Camshaft breakage due to a manufacturing defect (Ducato, 2016-2017)».

Risk index

BMW M47

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.3 MultiJet

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

Reviewed on 9 October 202620 sources How we work

Is the BMW M47 reliable?

The BMW M47 (1998-2007, a 4-cylinder diesel fitted to the 3 Series E46/E90, 1 Series E87, 5 Series E60, X3 E83, the Rover 75 and the Land Rover Freelander) is solid in its basic mechanicals, but the common rail versions, built since 2001, carry a serious and well-documented problem: the intake manifold swirl flaps can break and enter the cylinder, with a risk of engine damage. The turbo and injectors also account for known faults.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 6 of the BMW M47 faults

Is the 2.3 MultiJet reliable?

The 2.3 MultiJet (F1A) in the Fiat Ducato and Iveco Daily has few faults with a solid source: the best documented are three campaigns on the 2016-2019 Euro 6 Ducato (intercooler hose, EGR pipe and camshaft). Owners and garages also cite EGR, throttle body, injectors and AdBlue, almost always on forums or commercial websites, with no statistics.^{[5][6][7][8][9][10][11]}

See the 6 of the 2.3 MultiJet faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M47 and 2.3 MultiJet
Item	BMW M47	2.3 MultiJet
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,995 cm³	2,287 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	116–163 hp	95–160 hp
Production	1998–2007^{[1][2][12][13]}	since 2002^{[14][15][16][17]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	79Very high risk	25Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	6
Of high or critical severity	3	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Intake swirl flap breakage (swirl flaps) High severity: Loss of power and turbo faults Medium severity: Blocked and seized injectors	Critical severity: Camshaft breakage due to a manufacturing defect (Ducato, 2016-2017) Medium severity: EGR valve and throttle body clogged by carbon deposits and moisture Medium severity: Leaking or underperforming common-rail injectors
Most expensive documented repair	up to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)Published figure^[18]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	M47D20 116-136 hp (1998-2001)^[1][3]	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	M47D20TU 116-150 hp (2001-2004)^[1][3][4] M47D20TU2 122-163 hp (2004-2007)^[1] M47R 116-131 hp (Rover 75, MG ZT and Land Rover Freelander, 1998-2006)^[1][19]	First-batch 2.3 Multijet / HPI (F1AE0481, 2006-2011)^[9][17] 2.3 Multijet II Euro 5 (F1AE3481, 2010-2016)^[9][20] 2.3 Multijet Euro 6 with dual EGR (Ducato, 2016-2019)^{[5][6][7][10]} 2.3 Multijet 2 Euro 6d with AdBlue (Ducato, 2019-2021)^[11] 2.3 F1A in the Iveco Daily VI (2014-present)^[7]
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 M47

See the 8 models with the BMW M47

2.3 MultiJet

Other comparisons

With the BMW M47

With the 2.3 MultiJet

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Sources

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

BMW M47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
BMW M47D20 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Motor BMW M47: problemas y averíasDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
BMW 3er E46: typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiat Ducato (2016-2017): manguito del intercooler (alerta Safety Gate A12/0285/18)car-recalls.eu (reproduce Safety Gate) · Other source · published 23 February 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026
Fiat Ducato (2016-2017): tubo de la EGR (alerta Safety Gate A12/1794/17)car-recalls.eu (reproduce Safety Gate) · Other source · published 16 December 2017 · consulted 8 October 2026
DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
Camshaft fault sparks Fiat Ducato recallUte and Van Guide (Australia) · Motoring press · published 7 March 2017 · consulted 8 October 2026
Ducato multijet 2.3 starting problem (hilo del foro)The FIAT Forum · Owners' forum · published 3 May 2014 · consulted 8 October 2026
Ducato P0401 P0402 P0236 P0238 and limp mode, 2017 Euro 6 (hilo del foro)The FIAT Forum · Owners' forum · published 5 December 2021 · consulted 8 October 2026
Fiat Ducato 2.3 MultiJet: AdBlue, SCR y modo de emergencia (diagnóstico)KFZ Dietrich (taller, Alemania) · Other source · published 10 September 2026 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
BMW M47Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
BMW 3 Series (E46)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiat DucatoWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
Fiat Ducato (tipo 250, motores Multijet y Euro 6)Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Iveco Daily (motores HPI/F1A por generación)Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
Iveco Daily IV 35C12 2.3 HPI: fiabilidadCarverif · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
Caudalímetro o sensor MAF: qué es, cómo funciona y cuáles son las averías más frecuentesDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Rover 75Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Fiat Ducato and variants 2007 onCATMAG · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026