BMW M47 vs 1.9 D / dTi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.9 D / dTi carries less risk than the BMW M47: 52/100 (high 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 1.9 D / dTi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Damaged cylinder head and head gasket (naturally aspirated 1.9 D)».

Risk index

BMW M47

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.9 D / dTi

High risk · 3 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 2 November 202617 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 1.9 D / dTi reliable?

Renault's 1.9 D, 1.9 TD and 1.9 dTi diesels (F8Q, F8Qt and F9Q with an injection pump) have a reputation for longevity, but owner reviews repeat three weak points: the injection pump and cylinder head gasket on the naturally aspirated 1.9 D, and the auxiliary belt, EGR and turbo on the dTi. The common-rail 1.9 dCi is a different engine.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 7 of the 1.9 D / dTi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M47 and 1.9 D / dTi
Item	BMW M47	1.9 D / dTi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,995 cm³	1,870 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	116–163 hp	55–100 hp
Production	1998–2007^{[1][2][9][10]}	1988–2006^[5][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	79Very high risk	52High risk
Documented faults	6	7
Of high or critical severity	3	3
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: Damaged cylinder head and head gasket (naturally aspirated 1.9 D) Critical severity: Brake servo vacuum pump: oil suction and loss of assistance High severity: Auxiliary and timing belt: breakage that can destroy the engine
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]	1.9 D 55/65 hp (F8Q, naturally aspirated indirect injection, 1988-2006)^{[6][7][8][15]} 1.9 TD/dT 90-95 hp (F8Qt, turbo with indirect injection, 1991-2001)^[5][8] 1.9 dTi 80-100 hp (F9Q with mechanical pump, direct injection and turbo, 1997-2002)^{[8][15][16][17]}
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

1.9 D / dTi

See the 7 models with the 1.9 D / dTi

Other comparisons

With the BMW M47

With the 1.9 D / 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
Moteur F (Renault)Wikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Renault Clio IIWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Clio 2 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Mégane 1 (1995-2002) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
BMW M47Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
BMW 3 Series (E46)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault F-Type engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 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 Renault Kangoo (1997-2007) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Scénic 1 (1996-2003) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Laguna 1 (1994-2001) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French