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BMW M57 vs 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC carries less risk than the BMW M57: 54/100 versus 63/100 (both high risk). The BMW M57 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken intake swirl flaps»; the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Turbocharger failure».

Risk index

BMW M57

63

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

54

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

12 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 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC reliable?

The i-DTEC is Honda's diesel family from 2008, with two four-cylinder blocks: the 2.2 (Accord, CR-V) and, from 2013, the 1.6 (Civic, CR-V, HR-V). It uses a timing chain instead of a belt and common-rail injection. The basic architecture has a good reputation for longevity, but the emissions system (DPF and EGR) and the turbocharger account for most of the faults documented by owners themselves.[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M57 and 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC
BMW M571.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power150–286 hp120–180 hp
Production1998–2010[1][8]2008–2020[4][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)63High risk54High risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity23
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. High severity: Turbocharger failure
  2. Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage at high mileage
  3. Critical severity: Diesel injector wear or failure
Most expensive documented repairup to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M57 (loss of power)Published figure[11]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
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]
  • 1.6 i-DTEC 120 (N16A1, single turbo, from 2013)[5][12]
  • 1.6 i-DTEC 160 (N16A4, twin turbo, CR-V)[6]
  • 2.2 i-DTEC 180 Type S (N22B2, from 2010)[4]
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

BMW M57

See the 10 models with the BMW M57

1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

Other comparisons

With the BMW M57

With the 1.6 / 2.2 i-DTEC

Compare other engines

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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. Honda N engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  5. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2012-2017)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2012-2019)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  7. Fiabilité et pannes Honda CR-V (2007-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  8. BMW M57Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Honda HR-VWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. Avis et fiabilité Honda Accord (2008-2015)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
  11. Caudalímetro o sensor MAF: qué es, cómo funciona y cuáles son las averías más frecuentesDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Fiabilité et pannes Honda Civic (2017-2022)Fiches-auto.fr · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French