BMW M47 vs 2.0 BlueHDi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 BlueHDi carries less risk than the BMW M47: 45/100 (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 BlueHDi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «DPF clogging on short journeys».

Risk index

BMW M47

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 BlueHDi

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 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 2.0 BlueHDi reliable?

The 2.0 BlueHDi is mechanically one of the sturdiest PSA/Stellantis diesels: in the samples available for its 150 to 180 hp versions, the turbo, DPF, EGR and injectors fail noticeably less often than on earlier generations of the same engine from before 2013. Its documented weak point is the AdBlue tank, a fault so widespread that Stellantis compensates affected owners without a definitive fix.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the 2.0 BlueHDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M47 and 2.0 BlueHDi
Item	BMW M47	2.0 BlueHDi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,995 cm³	1,997 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	116–163 hp	150–180 hp
Production	1998–2007^{[1][2][9][10]}	2013–2021^[11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	79Very high risk	45Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	4
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	Medium severity: AdBlue (SCR) tank and pump failure High severity: DPF clogging on short journeys High severity: Injector and high-pressure pump wear
Most expensive documented repair	up to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M47 (loss of power)Published figure^[14]	up to €1,500AdBlue (SCR) tank and pump failurePublished figure^[7][8]
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]	2.0 BlueHDi 150/163 (DW10FC/DW10FD, 2013-2020)^[5][7][8] 2.0 BlueHDi 177/180 (DW10FC/DW10FD, 2013-2021)^[5][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

2.0 BlueHDi

See the 13 models with the 2.0 BlueHDi

Other comparisons

With the BMW M47

With the 2.0 BlueHDi

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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
Fiabilité du 2.0 HDIFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Opel Grandland X (2017-2024), pannes et témoignagesFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
AdBlue : problèmes en pagailleFiches-Auto · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Stellantis amplía las compensaciones por los problemas técnicos de sus depósitos AdBlueMinisterio de Derechos Sociales, Consumo y Agenda 2030 · Official body · consulted 27 September 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
PSA EW/DW engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot 308Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot 308 5p GT 2.0 BlueHDi 180 S&S EAT8 (2017-2019) | Precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
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