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BMW N47 vs 2.3 dCi (M9T): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.3 dCi (M9T) carries less risk than the BMW N47: 32/100 (moderate 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 2.3 dCi (M9T) has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo».

Risk index

BMW N47

87

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

2.3 dCi (M9T)

32

Moderate 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

17 sourcesHow 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 2.3 dCi (M9T) reliable?

The 2.3 dCi M9T is a van diesel with good durability if maintenance is kept up. The weak points cited are the EGR and the turbo, the injectors, and the particulate filter in urban use; the sources are mostly opinion websites.[5][6]

See the 5 of the 2.3 dCi (M9T) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N47 and 2.3 dCi (M9T)
BMW N472.3 dCi (M9T)
Technical data
TypeEngineEngine
FuelDieselDiesel
Displacement1,995 cm³2,300 cm³
TimingChainChain
Power90–218 hp100–180 hp
Production2007–2016[1][7][8][9]since 2010[5][6][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)87Very high risk32Moderate risk
Documented faults55
Of high or critical severity32
Worst severityCritical severityHigh severity
Main faults
  1. Critical severity: Rear timing chain stretch and breakage
  2. Critical severity: Broken intake manifold swirl flaps
  3. High severity: Turbo and wastegate valve failure
  1. High severity: Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turbo
  2. Medium severity: Faulty injectors on the 2.3 dCi
  3. Medium severity: Diesel particulate filter (DPF) clogged in urban use
Most expensive documented repairup to €3,000Rear timing chain stretch and breakagePublished figure[11][12][13][14][15]up to €2,300Clogged or broken EGR valve damaging the turboPublished figure[5][16]
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versionsNone
  • 2.3 dCi 100-125 hp (M9T)[6]
  • 2.3 dCi 130-145 hp (M9T)[6]
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)[8]
  • N47C20 112-143 hp (MINI Cooper SD, 2011-2016)[9]
  • 2.3 dCi 150-180 hp (M9T, some twin-turbo)[6]
  • 2.3 dCi in the Navara D23 (NP300)[17]
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

BMW N47

See the 12 models with the BMW N47

2.3 dCi (M9T)

Other comparisons

With the BMW N47

With the 2.3 dCi (M9T)

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 N47Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026
  2. BMW's timing chain problem comes back to haunt carmakerThe Irish Times · General press · consulted 26 September 2026
  3. El problema de la cadena de distribución en los motores N47 de BMWSeis en Línea · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  4. Fallo en la cadena de distribución BMW motores N47Arroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  5. Renault Master III 2.3 dCi 130: fiabilité, pannes et coûtsCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  6. Fiabilité Renault Master 2.3 dCiCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  7. BMW N47D20 engine specifications, problems and reliabilityBimmerPulse · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  8. N47C16A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  9. N47C20A MotorMotorinsel · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026
  10. Renault Master (tercera generación)Wikipedia · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026
  11. Motor N47 - precio cambio cadena BMWTaller Barcelona (Dasercars) · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  12. Precio sustitución cadenas motor N47 BMW MINIArroyo Auto, Especialista BMW MINI · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  13. Motor BMW N47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  14. Rotura cadena distribución y rotura motor N47OCU · Consumer association · published 2 September 2021 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  15. Problema cadena BMW motor N47, qué hacer y solucionesRecomotor Blog · Motoring press · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
  16. Fiabilité du Renault Master RT 2.3 dCi: analyse complèteCarverif · Other source · consulted 5 October 2026 · in French
  17. Nissan Navara wymaga zmian systemu oczyszczania spalinAutokatalog.pl · Motoring press · published 23 August 2023 · consulted 5 October 2026 · in another language