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N57D30U0N57D30UL

N57D30 204-211 hp, single turbo (U0/UL, 2010-2013) engine: faults and reliability

BMW N57 (N57D30) version

With caution

It shares with the rest of the N57 family the documented risk of the rear timing chain and, depending on the build date, may fall within the window covered by BMW's service campaign for the EGR cooler.[1][2]

Years
2010–2013
Power
204–211 hp
Faults that affect it
3
2 of high or critical severity
Cars that use it
2
in our database

6 sourcesHow we work

What changes in this version

Entry-level step of the N57 family, with a single turbo and the lowest output in the range. BMW introduced it around 2010 for entry versions such as the 325d and, very briefly, the 525d, before replacing the latter with the four-cylinder N47 engine.[3][4]

Engine codes of this version: N57D30U0, N57D30UL.

Faults of the N57D30U0 engine

The documented engine faults that affect this version and its years, from most to least important.

  1. 1Critical severityFrequency: Very frequentEmissions controlEGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fireYes: like the N47 and B47, the N57 is covered by BMW's service campaign for EGR cooler leaks, which can mix coolant with soot and oil to combustion temperatures. BMW checks free of charge the 6-cylinder engines built between July 2012 and June 2015 because of the fire risk.
  2. 2Critical severityFrequency: CommonTimingRear timing chain wearThe N57 inherits from the N47 the timing chain at the rear of the block, next to the gearbox, which complicates any repair. Unlike the N47, there is no documented campaign or wave of mass claims, and cases of serious wear appear mainly above 200,000 km.
  3. 3Medium severityFrequency: CommonOtherCrankshaft pulley vibration damper wearThe N57's crankshaft vibration damper (pulley) wears with use and, according to a technical guide to the engine, usually needs replacing between 80,000 and 120,000 km, giving warning with abnormal noises before failing completely.Appears at around 80,000 km

Cars fitted with the N57D30U0 engine

Open each car to see all its faults with this engine and what to check before buying it.

BMW

Frequently asked questions

Is the N57D30U0 engine reliable?

Our verdict is “With caution”. It shares with the rest of the N57 family the documented risk of the rear timing chain and, depending on the build date, may fall within the window covered by BMW's service campaign for the EGR cooler.[1][2]

What faults does the N57D30U0 engine have?

The documented ones that affect this version, by importance: EGR cooler leaks with risk of engine fire (critical severity), rear timing chain wear (critical severity) and crankshaft pulley vibration damper wear (medium severity).

Which cars use the N57D30U0 engine?

BMW Serie 3 E90 (2008–2012) and BMW Serie 5 F10 (2010–2017).[3][5][6]

Are you buying a car with the N57D30U0 engine?

We will put you in touch with a partner only if you authorise it in the form.

Do you have a car with this engine? Tell us which faults you have had and at how many kilometres. Report your fault.

Sources

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

  1. Motor BMW N57 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. 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
  3. BMW N57Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  4. BMW N57Wikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026 · in German
  5. BMW 3 Series (E90)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. BMW 5 Series (F10)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026