BMW N57 vs 1.9 D / dTi: which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 1.9 D / dTi carries less risk than the BMW N57: 52/100 (high risk) versus 87/100 (very high risk). The BMW N57 has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire»; the 1.9 D / dTi has 3 documented serious faults, the main one being «Damaged cylinder head and head gasket (naturally aspirated 1.9 D)».

Risk index

BMW N57

Very high risk · 3 serious faults

Risk index

1.9 D / dTi

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 2 November 202615 sources How we work

Is the BMW N57 reliable?

The BMW N57 (2008-2019, successor to the M57) is a six-cylinder diesel that is mechanically robust in the basics, but it shares with the N47 and B47 the EGR cooler covered by BMW's service campaign for engine fire risk, and it inherits from the N47 the timing chain at the rear of the block, with wear cases documented mainly from 200,000 km. Without a clear history of these checks, it is worth buying with some caution.^[1][2][3]

See the 4 of the BMW N57 faults

Is the 1.9 D / dTi reliable?

Renault's 1.9 D, 1.9 TD and 1.9 dTi diesels (F8Q, F8Qt and F9Q with an injection pump) have a reputation for longevity, but owner reviews repeat three weak points: the injection pump and cylinder head gasket on the naturally aspirated 1.9 D, and the auxiliary belt, EGR and turbo on the dTi. The common-rail 1.9 dCi is a different engine.^[4][5][6][7]

See the 7 of the 1.9 D / dTi faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of BMW N57 and 1.9 D / dTi
Item	BMW N57	1.9 D / dTi
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Diesel	Diesel
Displacement	2,993 cm³	1,870 cm³
Timing	Chain	Timing belt (dry)
Power	204–381 hp	55–100 hp
Production	2008–2019^[1][8]	1988–2006^[4][9][10]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	87Very high risk	52High risk
Documented faults	4	7
Of high or critical severity	3	3
Worst severity	Critical severity	Critical severity
Main faults	Critical severity: EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire Critical severity: Rear timing chain wear High severity: Loss of thrust on twin-turbo versions due to the vacuum circuit or the actuator	High severity: Damaged cylinder head and head gasket (naturally aspirated 1.9 D) Critical severity: Brake servo vacuum pump: oil suction and loss of assistance High severity: Auxiliary and timing belt: breakage that can destroy the engine
Most expensive documented repair	No reliable data	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	N57D30 204-211 hp, single turbo (U0/UL, 2010-2013)^[3][11] N57D30 245-258 hp, single turbo (O0/O1, 2008-2019)^[3][11] N57D30 299-313 hp twin turbo (T0/T1, 2009-2019)^[11][12]	1.9 D 55/65 hp (F8Q, naturally aspirated indirect injection, 1988-2006)^{[5][6][7][13]} 1.9 TD/dT 90-95 hp (F8Qt, turbo with indirect injection, 1991-2001)^[4][7] 1.9 dTi 80-100 hp (F9Q with mechanical pump, direct injection and turbo, 1997-2002)^{[7][13][14][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 N57

See the 10 models with the BMW N57

1.9 D / dTi

See the 8 models with the 1.9 D / dTi

Other comparisons

With the BMW N57

With the 1.9 D / dTi

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Sources

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

BMW N57Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
Motor BMW B47 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
324.000 diésel de BMW tendrán que pasar por el taller en Europa, por un posible riesgo de incendio en la EGRDiariomotor · Motoring press · published 8 August 2018 · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Moteur F (Renault)Wikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Renault Clio IIWikipédia (francés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Clio 2 : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Mégane 1 (1995-2002) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
BMW N57Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
Renault F-Type engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
Renault Clio IIWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Motor BMW N57 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor BMW N57: problemas, modelos y qué revisarCarexam · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
Fiabilité Renault Kangoo (1997-2007) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Scénic 1 (1996-2003) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French
Fiabilité Renault Laguna 1 (1994-2001) : pannes et avis des propriétairesFiches-auto.fr · Motoring press · consulted 2 November 2026 · in French