BMW M57 vs 1.7 CDTI: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.7 CDTI carries less risk than the BMW M57: 36/100 (moderate risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). The BMW M57 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken intake swirl flaps»; the 1.7 CDTI has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear».

Risk index

BMW M57

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.7 CDTI

Moderate 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 27 September 202614 sources How 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 1.7 CDTI reliable?

The 1.7 CDTI (Isuzu, 2003-2015) is a simple, widely used diesel, but it has built up accounts of soot-fouled EGR valves and injectors, a clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) with oil dilution, wear of the dual-mass flywheel and clutch, and of the Hitachi-brand alternator; it also requires the timing belt to be changed every 150,000 km or 6 years to avoid a serious failure.^{[4][5][6][7][8][9][10]}

See the 5 of the 1.7 CDTI faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M57 and 1.7 CDTI
Item	BMW M57	1.7 CDTI
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	1,686 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	150–286 hp	100–130 hp
Production	1998–2010^[1][11]	2003–2015^[4][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	63High risk	36Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Broken intake swirl flaps High severity: Crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve failure Medium severity: Cracked exhaust manifold	High severity: Dual-mass flywheel and clutch wear High severity: Clogged diesel particulate filter (DPF) and oil dilution Critical severity: Timing belt: risk of serious failure if not changed on time
Most expensive documented repair	up to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M57 (loss of power)Published figure^[14]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
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]	1.7 CDTI 100-101 hp (Z17DTH, 2003-2007)^[9][10] 1.7 CDTI 110 hp (Z17DTJ/A17DTJ/A17DTC/A17DTE, 2007-2014)^[9][10] 1.7 CDTI 125 hp (Z17DTR/A17DTR, 2006-2013)^[5][6] 1.7 CDTI 130 hp (A17DTS, 2010-2015)^[9][10]
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 M57

See the 10 models with the BMW M57

1.7 CDTI

See the 7 models with the 1.7 CDTI

Other comparisons

With the BMW M57

With the 1.7 CDTI

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

BMW M57Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Motor BMW M57 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
BMW M57D30 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Circle L engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Essai complet Opel Astra (H) : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai complet Opel Zafira 2 : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai complet Opel Meriva : fiabilité et avisFiches-auto.fr · Owners' forum · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Opel Astra H (A04): Probleme & KaufberatungGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Meriva A: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Meriva B: ProblemeGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
BMW M57Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel Corsa DWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Opel MerivaWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 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