BMW M57 vs 2.0 dCi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.0 dCi carries less risk than the BMW M57: 52/100 versus 63/100 (both high risk). The BMW M57 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken intake swirl flaps»; the 2.0 dCi has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Premature turbocharger failure».

Risk index

BMW M57

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.0 dCi

High 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

Reviewed on 27 September 202615 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 2.0 dCi reliable?

The 2.0 dCi (M9R) is a Renault-Nissan Alliance diesel with known, well-documented weak points: the turbo and the EGR valve fail relatively often, the particulate filter clogs up in urban use, and there are cases of injectors and even the timing chain failing earlier than expected in several of the models that use it.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 5 of the 2.0 dCi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M57 and 2.0 dCi
Item	BMW M57	2.0 dCi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	—	1,995 cm³
Timing	Chain	Chain
Power	150–286 hp	90–177 hp
Production	1998–2010^[1][8]	2005–2016^{[9][10][11][12]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	63High risk	52High risk
Documented faults	5	5
Of high or critical severity	2	2
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: Premature turbocharger failure Critical severity: Timing chain wear or breakage Medium severity: Clogged particulate filter (DPF)
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]	2.0 dCi 130-150 (M9R, cars, 2005-2012)^[4][5][7] 2.0 dCi 160-177 (M9R, higher-output cars, 2006-2016)^[5][6][14] 2.0 dCi 90-115 (M9R, vans, 2006-2014)^[15]
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

2.0 dCi

See the 12 models with the 2.0 dCi

Other comparisons

With the BMW M57

With the 2.0 dCi

Compare other engines

First engine

Second engine

That is the comparison you are viewing: change one of the two engines.

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
Fiabilité Renault Laguna 3 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Koleos : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Espace 4 : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Nissan Qashqai : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
BMW M57Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Anexo:Motores de RenaultWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Renault KoleosWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Renault Mégane IIIWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault Grand Espace 2.0 dCi PrivilegeAutopista · Motoring press · published 19 September 2006 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Caudalímetro o sensor MAF: qué es, cómo funciona y cuáles son las averías más frecuentesDiariomotor · Motoring press · consulted 30 October 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité Nissan X-Trail : pannes et avisFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Renault TraficWikipedia · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026