Skip to content
MotorFiable

BMW M57 vs 2.3 MultiJet: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.3 MultiJet carries less risk than the BMW M57: 25/100 (moderate risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). The BMW M57 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken intake swirl flaps»; the 2.3 MultiJet has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Camshaft breakage due to a manufacturing defect (Ducato, 2016-2017)».

Risk index

BMW M57

63

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.3 MultiJet

25

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

17 sourcesHow we work

Is the BMW M57 reliable?

The BMW M57 (1998-2010) is a six-cylinder diesel with a reputation for great mechanical longevity, capable of exceeding 500,000 km when well maintained, but a good share of the versions built before 2008 -especially with an automatic gearbox- have metal swirl flaps in the intake that can break and wreck the engine; check whether the car has them and what condition they are in before buying.[1][2][3]

See the 5 of the BMW M57 faults

Is the 2.3 MultiJet reliable?

The 2.3 MultiJet (F1A) in the Fiat Ducato and Iveco Daily has few faults with a solid source: the best documented are three campaigns on the 2016-2019 Euro 6 Ducato (intercooler hose, EGR pipe and camshaft). Owners and garages also cite EGR, throttle body, injectors and AdBlue, almost always on forums or commercial websites, with no statistics.[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]

See the 6 of the 2.3 MultiJet faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M57 and 2.3 MultiJet
BMW M572.3 MultiJet
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement—2,287 cm³
TimingChainTiming belt (dry)
Power150–286 hp95–160 hp
Production1998–2010[1][11]since 2002[12][13][14][15]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)63High risk25Moderate risk
Documented faults56
Of high or critical severity22
Worst severityCritical severityCritical severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Broken intake swirl flaps
  2. High severity: Crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve failure
  3. Medium severity: Cracked exhaust manifold
  1. Critical severity: Camshaft breakage due to a manufacturing defect (Ducato, 2016-2017)
  2. Medium severity: EGR valve and throttle body clogged by carbon deposits and moisture
  3. Medium severity: Leaking or underperforming common-rail injectors
Most expensive documented repairup to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M57 (loss of power)Published figure[16]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNoneNone
With cautionVersions to be cautious about
  • M57D25, 2.5 litres (150-197 hp, 2000-2010 depending on application)[2]
  • M57D30, first-generation 3.0 litres (177-193 hp, 1998-2006 depending on application)[2]
  • M57D30TU, first revision 3.0 litres (201-272 hp, 2001-2006)[2]
  • M57D30TU2, second revision 3.0 litres, aluminium block (204-286 hp, 2004-2010)[2]
  • First-batch 2.3 Multijet / HPI (F1AE0481, 2006-2011)[8][15]
  • 2.3 Multijet II Euro 5 (F1AE3481, 2010-2016)[8][17]
  • 2.3 Multijet Euro 6 with dual EGR (Ducato, 2016-2019)[4][5][6][9]
  • 2.3 Multijet 2 Euro 6d with AdBlue (Ducato, 2019-2021)[10]
  • 2.3 F1A in the Iveco Daily VI (2014-present)[6]
AvoidVersions to avoidNoneNone

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

Other comparisons

With the BMW M57

With the 2.3 MultiJet

Compare other engines

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.

  1. BMW M57Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  2. Motor BMW M57 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  3. BMW M57D30 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. Fiat Ducato (2016-2017): manguito del intercooler (alerta Safety Gate A12/0285/18)car-recalls.eu (reproduce Safety Gate) · Other source · published 23 February 2018 · consulted 8 October 2026
  5. Fiat Ducato (2016-2017): tubo de la EGR (alerta Safety Gate A12/1794/17)car-recalls.eu (reproduce Safety Gate) · Other source · published 16 December 2017 · consulted 8 October 2026
  6. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 8 October 2026
  7. Camshaft fault sparks Fiat Ducato recallUte and Van Guide (Australia) · Motoring press · published 7 March 2017 · consulted 8 October 2026
  8. Ducato multijet 2.3 starting problem (hilo del foro)The FIAT Forum · Owners' forum · published 3 May 2014 · consulted 8 October 2026
  9. Ducato P0401 P0402 P0236 P0238 and limp mode, 2017 Euro 6 (hilo del foro)The FIAT Forum · Owners' forum · published 5 December 2021 · consulted 8 October 2026
  10. Fiat Ducato 2.3 MultiJet: AdBlue, SCR y modo de emergencia (diagnóstico)KFZ Dietrich (taller, Alemania) · Other source · published 10 September 2026 · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  11. BMW M57Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  12. Fiat DucatoWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Fiat Ducato (tipo 250, motores Multijet y Euro 6)Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  14. Iveco Daily (motores HPI/F1A por generación)Wikipedia (de) · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in German
  15. Iveco Daily IV 35C12 2.3 HPI: fiabilidadCarverif · Other source · consulted 8 October 2026 · in French
  16. Caudalímetro o sensor MAF: qué es, cómo funciona y cuáles son las averías más frecuentesDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  17. Fiat Ducato and variants 2007 onCATMAG · Motoring press · consulted 8 October 2026