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BMW M57 vs Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi carries less risk than the BMW M57: 43/100 (moderate risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). The BMW M57 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken intake swirl flaps»; the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken teeth on the camshaft gear (2017 campaign)».

Risk index

BMW M57

63

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

43

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

13 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 Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi reliable?

These are the diesels of the Isuzu D-Max: the 2.5 twin-turbo (4JK1) and the 1.9 Ddi (RZ4E) of the European range, and the 2.5 and 3.0 of the Latin American Chevrolet D-Max. Auto Express speaks of enviable reliability; what is documented is diesel in the oil of the 2.5 on short journeys, soot in the EGR and a 2017 campaign for the camshaft gear.[4][5][6][7]

See the 3 of the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M57 and Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi
BMW M57Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingChainGears
Power150–286 hp117–177 hp
Production1998–2010[1][8]since 2012[7][9][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)63High risk43Moderate risk
Documented faults53
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: Broken teeth on the camshaft gear (2017 campaign)
  2. High severity: Diesel in the oil and clogged particulate filter on short journeys
  3. Medium severity: EGR valve blocked by soot
Most expensive documented repairup to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M57 (loss of power)Published figure[12]No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 1.9 Ddi 163 hp (RZ4E, European D-Max from 2017)[4][7]
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]
  • 2.5 TD twin-turbo 163 hp (4JK1, European D-Max 2012-2017)[5][7]
  • 2.5 and 3.0 TD (4JK1 and 4JJ1, Latin American Chevrolet D-Max 2012-2020)[6][13]
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

Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

Other comparisons

With the BMW M57

With the Isuzu 2.5 / 3.0 / 1.9 Ddi

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. Isuzu D-Max reviewAuto Express · Motoring press · published 16 October 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  5. Tips for buying a second-hand pickup: Isuzu D-MaxFarmers Weekly · Motoring press · published 17 December 2020 · consulted 2 November 2026
  6. Isuzu MU-X & D-Max common problems and solutionsUnsealed 4X4 · Motoring press · published 12 June 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026
  7. Isuzu D-Max: Camshaft Gear Teeth May Break (R/2017/194)Car-Recalls.co.uk (reproduce DVSA) · Other source · published 10 July 2017 · consulted 2 November 2026
  8. BMW M57Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  9. Isuzu D-MaxWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
  10. Isuzu D-MAX 2. Generation (2012-2017): Modelle, Technische DatenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  11. Isuzu D-MAX 2. Generation, 1. Facelift (2017-2020): Modelle, Technische DatenADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
  12. Caudalímetro o sensor MAF: qué es, cómo funciona y cuáles son las averías más frecuentesDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Isuzu D-Max ProblemsCarsGuide · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026