BMW M47 vs 2.5 TDI R5: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.5 TDI R5 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 2.5 TDI R5 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders».

Risk index

BMW M47

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.5 TDI R5

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 202614 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 2.5 TDI R5 reliable?

The 2.5 TDI R5 in the T5 and the Touareg has a poor reputation: camshaft wear, pump injectors and cylinder coating. The later series were more reliable. It is not Audi's V6 TDI.^[5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 2.5 TDI R5 faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M47 and 2.5 TDI R5
Item	BMW M47	2.5 TDI R5
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,995 cm³	2,461 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	116–163 hp	88–174 hp
Production	1998–2007^[1][2][8][9]	2003–2011^[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	79Very high risk	45Moderate risk
Documented faults	6	5
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: Plasma coating flaking off the cylinders High severity: Camshaft and hydraulic tappet wear Medium severity: Leaks and play in the unit injectors
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]	2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp with DPF (BNZ, BPC, 2006-2009)^[5] 2.5 TDI common rail Crafter (88 to 163 hp, 2006-2011)^[12]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	2.5 TDI 130 and 174 hp (AXD, AXE, 2003-2006)^[5]

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

2.5 TDI R5

Other comparisons

With the BMW M47

With the 2.5 TDI R5

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
VW T5 4Motion Gebrauchtwagen-TestAuto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Kaufberatung gebrauchter VW T5 (2003-2015)Promobil · Motoring press · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Ratgeber Technik: Fehler VW T5Auto Bild · Motoring press · consulted 5 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
VW T5Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
VW Touareg IWikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in German
Volkswagen CrafterWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 5 October 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