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N57D30T0N57D30T1N57D30TOP

N57D30 299-313 hp twin turbo (T0/T1, 2009-2019) engine: faults and reliability

BMW N57 (N57D30) version

With caution

It shares the general timing chain risk and the EGR campaign, and adds the documented risk of loss of thrust through the vacuum circuit or the actuator of the two turbos.[1][2]

Years
2009–2019
Power
299–313 hp
Faults that affect it
4
3 of high or critical severity
Cars that use it
8
in our database

11 sourcesHow we work

What changes in this version

High-end twin-turbo version, with two turbos of different sizes working in sequence, reserved for the "35d"/"40d" models and the 335d/535d. Besides the general risk of the family, several sources document a loss of thrust at low revs in these versions, attributable to the vacuum circuit or the actuator that synchronises the two turbos rather than to a mechanical failure of the turbo itself.[2][3][4]

Engine codes of this version: N57D30T0, N57D30T1, N57D30TOP.

Faults of the N57D30T0 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. 3High severityFrequency: CommonTurboLoss of thrust on twin-turbo versions due to the vacuum circuit or the actuatorOn the twin-turbo versions (335d, 535d, xDrive35d/40d) it is common to lose thrust at low revs because of a degraded vacuum circuit or dirt in the actuator that synchronises the turbos, not because of a mechanical turbo failure. The variable-geometry turbo is also cited, more generically.
  4. 4Medium 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 N57D30T0 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 N57D30T0 engine reliable?

Our verdict is “With caution”. It shares the general timing chain risk and the EGR campaign, and adds the documented risk of loss of thrust through the vacuum circuit or the actuator of the two turbos.[1][2]

What faults does the N57D30T0 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), loss of thrust on twin-turbo versions due to the vacuum circuit or the actuator (high severity) and crankshaft pulley vibration damper wear (medium severity).

Which cars use the N57D30T0 engine?

BMW Serie 3 F30 (2012–2019), BMW Serie 5 F10 (2010–2017), BMW X3 F25 (2011–2017), BMW X4 F26 (2014–2018), BMW X5 E70 (2010–2013), BMW X5 F15 (2013–2018), BMW X6 E71 (2010–2014) and BMW X6 F16 (2014–2019).[3][5][6][7][8][9][10][11]

Are you buying a car with the N57D30T0 engine?

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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: problemas, modelos y qué revisarCarexam · Motoring press · consulted 27 September 2026 · in Spanish
  2. Motor BMW N57 - Reparación EspecializadaDasercars · Technical documentation · 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 (F30)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  6. BMW 5 Series (F10)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  7. BMW X3 (F25)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  8. BMW X4Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  9. BMW X5 (E70)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  10. BMW X5 (F15)Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026
  11. BMW X6Wikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 27 September 2026