BMW M57 vs 1.4 HDi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.4 HDi 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 1.4 HDi has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing belt and water pump».

Risk index

BMW M57

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

1.4 HDi

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

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 202611 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 1.4 HDi reliable?

It is a small diesel that is generally reliable, but with a very well-documented weakness: the injectors tend to lose their seal over time and let diesel escape. The turbo and the EGR valve also fail on a noticeable minority of units, and there are isolated cases of the crankshaft damper pulley failing at very high mileages. The timing belt does not seem to cause more problems than on any diesel of its era if it is changed on time.^[4][5][6]

See the 5 of the 1.4 HDi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M57 and 1.4 HDi
Item	BMW M57	1.4 HDi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	1,399 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	150–286 hp	54–92 hp
Production	1998–2010^[1][7]	2001–2010^{[4][8][9][10]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	63High risk	43Moderate risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Broken intake swirl flaps High severity: Crankcase ventilation (PCV) valve failure Medium severity: Cracked exhaust manifold	Medium severity: Injectors that lose their seal and let diesel escape High severity: Timing belt and water pump Medium severity: Premature turbo wear from poor lubrication
Most expensive documented repair	up to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M57 (loss of power)Published figure^[11]	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]	1.4 HDi/TDCi 54/68/70 8V (DV4TD, 2001-2009)^[5][6] 1.4 HDi 90/92 16V (DV4TED4, 2002-2009)^[5][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

1.4 HDi

See the 12 models with the 1.4 HDi

Other comparisons

With the BMW M57

With the 1.4 HDi

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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
Motor PSA DVWikipedia (es) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 68 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Essai, avis et fiabilité des 1.4 HDI 70 chFiches-Auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
BMW M57Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Ford Duratorq engineWikipedia (en) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot DV4TD engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Peugeot DV4TED4 engine: specifications and applicationsMyMotorList · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026
Caudalímetro o sensor MAF: qué es, cómo funciona y cuáles son las averías más frecuentesDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish