BMW M47 vs 2.2 TD4 / SD4: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.2 TD4 / SD4 carries less risk than the BMW M47: 32/100 (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 2.2 TD4 / SD4 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Coolant leak from the EGR valve cooler».

Risk index

BMW M47

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.2 TD4 / SD4

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 5 October 202615 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 2.2 TD4 / SD4 reliable?

This is the 2.2-litre diesel of the Freelander 2, the first Evoque, the 2014-2015 Discovery Sport and the Jaguar XF 2.2D. The sources consulted do not describe it as a problematic engine, but they point to three things: the EGR cooler, the DPF in urban use, and replacing the belt along with the water pump.^[5][6][7]

See the 3 of the 2.2 TD4 / SD4 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M47 and 2.2 TD4 / SD4
Item	BMW M47	2.2 TD4 / SD4
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,995 cm³	2,179 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	116–163 hp	150–200 hp
Production	1998–2007^[1][2][8][9]	2006–2015^{[10][11][12][13]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	79Very high risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	3
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	High severity: Coolant leak from the EGR valve cooler Critical severity: Timing belt failure and water pump failure Medium severity: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged by urban use
Most expensive documented repair	up to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)Published figure^[14]	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][15]	2.2 TD4 / eD4 150-160 hp^[5][7][13] 2.2 SD4 190-200 hp^[6]
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

2.2 TD4 / SD4

Other comparisons

With the BMW M47

With the 2.2 TD4 / SD4

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

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
Land Rover Freelander Mk2 common problems 2006-2015Haynes · Technical documentation · published December 2022 · consulted 5 October 2026
Test / Avis Land Rover Range Rover Evoque 2.2 SD4 190 ch (2011-2018)Fiches-auto · Owners' forum · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
Problemas Land Rover Freelander 2Totalrenting · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in Spanish
BMW M47Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
BMW 3 Series (E46)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Land Rover FreelanderWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Land Rover Discovery SportWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
Jaguar XF (X250)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
How to fit a timing belt on a Land Rover Freelander 2Professional Motor Mechanic (PMM) · Motoring press · published 22 January 2018 · consulted 5 October 2026
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