BMW M57 vs 1.9 dCi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the BMW M57 carries less risk than the 1.9 dCi: 63/100 versus 67/100 (both high risk). The BMW M57 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken intake swirl flaps»; the 1.9 dCi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings».

Risk index

BMW M57

High risk · 2 serious faults

Lower risk

Risk index

1.9 dCi

High risk · 3 serious faults

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 27 September 202613 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 1.9 dCi reliable?

The 1.9 dCi (F9Q) was Renault's first common-rail diesel (1999) and powered a large part of its range, and those of Nissan and Volvo, for more than a decade. It has well-documented weak points: on versions of up to 120 hp built before 2005, the big-end bearings can seize and the turbo tends to degrade around 150,000 km; the injectors, the EGR valve and, on the 120 hp versions, the dual-mass flywheel also fail fairly often.^{[4][5][6][7][8]}

See the 5 of the 1.9 dCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M57 and 1.9 dCi
Item	BMW M57	1.9 dCi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	1,870 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	150–286 hp	80–130 hp
Production	1998–2010^[1][9]	1999–2011^[10][11][12]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	63High risk	67High 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	Critical severity: Seizure and wear of the big-end bearings High severity: Premature turbocharger wear High severity: Failures of the Delphi direct-injection injectors
Most expensive documented repair	up to €300Faulty air flow meter on the BMW M57 (loss of power)Published figure^[13]	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]	1.9 dCi 95-120 (F9Q, first generation, 1999-2005)^[6] 1.9 dCi 125-130 (F9Q, Energy dCi, 2005-2011)^[6] 1.9 dCi 80-101 (F9Q, vans and commercial vehicles, 1999-2007)^[4][5]
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

1.9 dCi

See the 13 models with the 1.9 dCi

Other comparisons

With the BMW M57

With the 1.9 dCi

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.

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
Renault Mégane II (2002 – 2009): Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault Scénic II (2003 – 2009) – Typische Probleme & KrankheitenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Achat d'occasion : faut-il éviter le moteur 1.9 dCi F9Q chez Renault ?Planète Renault · Motoring press · published 24 January 2024 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Diesels : volant moteur défectueuxFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Vanne EGR : problèmes et pannesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
BMW M57Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault F-Type engineWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Moteur F RenaultWikipédia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Espace IVWikipedia · 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