BMW N47 vs MZR-CD: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the MZR-CD carries less risk than the BMW N47: 64/100 (high risk) versus 87/100 (very high risk). The BMW N47 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Rear timing chain stretch and breakage»; the MZR-CD has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Timing chain stretch on the 2.2 MZR-CD».

Risk index

BMW N47

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

MZR-CD

High 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 202625 sources How we work

Is the BMW N47 reliable?

The BMW N47 (2007-2016, including its MINI derivatives N47C16/N47C20) is mechanically sound in the basics, but it carries a serious, well-documented design flaw: the rear timing chain wears or breaks prematurely on many units, especially those built between 2007 and 2009, with repairs from €1,500 to over €8,000 if the engine ends up damaged. Without a clear timing history, great caution is needed.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 5 of the BMW N47 faults

Is the MZR-CD reliable?

The MZR-CD is Mazda's most widespread diesel between 2002 and 2013, fitted to the Mazda3, Mazda6, Mazda5 and CX-7. It is sensitive to short journeys: the injector seals and incomplete DPF regenerations can dilute the oil, and the EGR and intake build up carbon. The 2.2-litre redesign (from 2008), with a timing chain instead of a belt, adds the risk of that chain stretching and damaging the engine.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 4 of the MZR-CD faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N47 and MZR-CD
Item	BMW N47	MZR-CD
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	1,995 cm³	—
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	90–218 hp	105–185 hp
Production	2007–2016^{[1][9][10][11]}	2002–2013^{[12][13][14][15][16]}
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	87Very high risk	64High risk
Documented faults	5	4
Of high or critical severity	3	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: Rear timing chain stretch and breakage Critical severity: Broken intake manifold swirl flaps High severity: Turbo and wastegate valve failure	Critical severity: Timing chain stretch on the 2.2 MZR-CD High severity: Oil dilution from leaking injector seals and DPF regenerations High severity: Turbocharger wear or failure
Most expensive documented repair	up to €3,000Rear timing chain stretch and breakagePublished figure^{[17][18][19][20][21]}	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	N47D20 116 hp (K0/K1, 2007-2014)^[1][4] N47D20 143 hp (U0/U1, 2007-2014)^[1][4] N47D20 177-184 hp (O0/O1, 2007-2014)^[1][4] N47D20 204-218 hp twin-turbo (2007-2014)^[1][4] N47C16 90-112 hp (MINI Cooper D, 2010-2016)^[10] N47C20 112-143 hp (MINI Cooper SD, 2011-2016)^[11]	2.0 MZR-CD 121-143 (RF, 2002-2005, no DPF)^[5][7][22] 2.0 MZR-CD 105-143 (RF, 2005-2010, with DPF)^{[5][7][22][23]} 2.2 MZR-CD 125-185 (R2, 2008-2013)^{[6][8][24][25]}
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 N47

See the 12 models with the BMW N47

MZR-CD

Other comparisons

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With the MZR-CD

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Sources

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

BMW N47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
BMW's timing chain problem comes back to haunt carmakerThe Irish Times · General press · consulted 26 September 2026
El problema de la cadena de distribución en los motores N47 de BMWSeis en Línea · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fallo en la cadena de distribución BMW motores N47Arroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2002-2008)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Mazda 6 (2008-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mazda 6 I: Bekannte Probleme und Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda 6 II: Bekannte Probleme und Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
BMW N47D20 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
N47C16A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
N47C20A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
Mazda diesel enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Mazda6Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda3Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda5Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Mazda CX-7Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Motor N47 - precio cambio cadena BMWTaller Barcelona (Dasercars) · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Precio sustitución cadenas motor N47 BMW MINIArroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor BMW N47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Rotura cadena distribución y rotura motor N47OCU · Consumer association · published 2 September 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Problema cadena BMW motor N47, qué hacer y solucionesRecomotor Blog · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2003-2009)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Japanische Zuverlässigkeit? Ärger mit den Dieseln von Mazda und Toyotagebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Fiabilité Mazda 3 (2009-2013)Fiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in French
Mazda 3 II (2009-2013): Typische Probleme & Schwachstellengebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German