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BMW M57 vs 2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD) carries less risk than the BMW M57: 20/100 (low risk) versus 63/100 (high risk). The BMW M57 has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Broken intake swirl flaps»; the 2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD) has no documented serious faults.

Risk index

BMW M57

63

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD)

20

Low risk · 0 serious faults

Lower risk

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

14 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 2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD) reliable?

No serious mechanical faults are documented in the European sources we were able to open: AutoBild saw the 2.8 as more robust than the 3.0 it replaced, although it points to glow plugs that fail early. Its best-documented weak point is the particulate filter, with a lawsuit in Australia but no equivalent recall or legal action in Europe, and there are barely any high-mileage examples from which to judge long-term reliability.[4][5][6]

See the 4 of the 2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW M57 and 2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD)
BMW M572.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement——
TimingChainChain
Power150–286 hp150–204 hp
Production1998–2010[1][7]since 2015[8][9][10][11]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)63High risk20Low risk
Documented faults54
Of high or critical severity20
Worst severityCritical severityMedium 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. Medium severity: Blocked particulate filter (DPF) due to incomplete regenerations
  2. Medium severity: Variable geometry turbo (VNT) seized by soot
  3. Medium severity: Diesel dilution of the engine oil from interrupted particulate filter regenerations
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
  • 2.8 D-4D 204 (1GD-FTV, 204 hp, from 2020)[13]
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]
  • 2.4 D-4D 150 (2GD-FTV, 150 hp, from 2016)[13][14]
  • 2.8 D-4D 177 (1GD-FTV, 177 hp, 2015-2020)[4][5][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

Other comparisons

With the BMW M57

With the 2.4 / 2.8 D-4D (GD)

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. Toyota Land Cruiser 150: Gebrauchtwagen-TestAUTO BILD · Motoring press · published 20 January 2020 · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  5. Toyota Faces Up To $1.5 Billion Payout To Owners Over Diesel Lawsuit In AustraliaCarscoops · Motoring press · published 7 April 2022 · consulted 9 October 2026
  6. DVSA – base de llamadas a revisiónDVSA (Reino Unido) · Official body · consulted 9 October 2026
  7. BMW M57Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  8. Toyota GD engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  9. Toyota HiluxWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 9 October 2026
  10. Allgemeine Daten zum Toyota Land Cruiser 2.8 D-4D (5-Türer) (10/20 - 08/24)ADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 9 October 2026 · in German
  11. Allgemeine Daten zum Toyota Hilux Double Cab 2.4 D-4D Duty 4x4 (08/16 - 09/20)ADAC Autokatalog · Technical documentation · consulted 9 October 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. Toyota upgrades DPF system, no change on dust issuePractical Motoring · Motoring press · published 27 August 2020 · consulted 9 October 2026
  14. DPF regeneration: your questions answeredToyota UK Magazine · Manufacturer · consulted 9 October 2026