BMW M47 vs 2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTI carries less risk than the BMW M47: 38/100 (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 2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTI has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «VP44 injection pump and air mass meter failure».

Risk index

BMW M47

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTI

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 27 September 202616 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 2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTI reliable?

The 2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTI (X20DTH/Y20DTH and Y22DTR) are the direct-injection diesels with a Bosch VP44 pump that Opel fitted between 1997 and 2005 to the Astra G, Vectra B and C, Zafira A, Signum and Omega B. German Wikipedia documents recurring VP44 pump and air mass meter failures in its early years, and a German used-car buying guide singles out the EGR valve as its main weak point even once the engine had matured, in the Vectra C.^[5][6]

See the 3 of the 2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M47 and 2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTI
Item	BMW M47	2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,995 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	116–163 hp	100–125 hp
Production	1998–2007^[1][2][7][8]	1997–2005^{[5][9][10][11][12]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	79Very high risk	38Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	3
Of high or critical severity	3	2
Worst severity	Critical severity	High 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: VP44 injection pump and air mass meter failure High severity: Seized or leaking turbocharger Medium severity: Clogged or faulty EGR valve
Most expensive documented repair	up to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)Published figure^[13]	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][14]	2.0 DTI 100-101 hp (X20DTH/Y20DTH, 1,995 cc, 1997-2005)^[5][6] 2.2 DTI 120-125 hp (Y22DTR, 2,172 cc, 2000-2005)^[15][16]
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

2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTI

Other comparisons

With the BMW M47

With the 2.0 DTI and 2.2 DTI

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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
Opel Vectra BWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Vectra C – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 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
Opel Zafira AWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel SignumWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel OmegaWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Opel OmegaWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
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
Fiabilité Opel Zafira - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Opel Vectra - avis et pannes des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French