Compare

Engine comparison

BMW N47
+ Add engine
+ Add engine
BMW N47
Verdict
RISKY · 38/100
Est. cost /3yr
€1,500-4,500 over 3 years depending on timing chain and EGR status at purchase
Oil interval
10,000 km
Recalls
2
Worst issue
Rear Timing Chain Failure
CRITICAL
BMW N47
E90/E91/E92 · LCI
Rear Timing Chain Failure
€2,000-5,000
CRITICAL
EGR Cooler Failure and Oil Contamination
€500-1,500
HIGH
Swirl Flap Actuator and Broken Lever
€300-1,200
HIGH
Automatic Transmission Mechatronic / Manual Reverse Gear Failure
€1,800-3,300
HIGH
Glow Plug Failure
€150-400
MODERATE
Oil Pressure Warning and Consumption
€100-800
MODERATE
Turbo Wastegate Return Spring Degradation
€80-250
MODERATE
BMW N47
E90/E91/E92 · LCI
•Cold-start the engine from fully cold and listen for at least 2 minutes for any metallic rattle, ticking, or washing-machine swooshing noise from the rear of the engine
•Ask for the engine build date (stamped on block, or visible in the DDE via ISTA), not the car's registration date. The highest-risk window is 03/2007 to 01/2009
•Ask specifically whether the Quality Enhancement (not 'recall') was completed, and request written or dealer-stamped confirmation, not a verbal answer
•Scan the full fault memory with ISTA or INPA. Check codes 290900 (EGR cooler), 2C3200 (swirl flap lever), EGS transmission codes, and any timing or VANOS codes
•Check VIN against BMW's 2018 EGR cooler recall database
•Inspect service history for oil change intervals. Reject any car with gaps over 12,000 km or unknown history; many long-term owners change oil every 8,000 to 9,000 km regardless of BMW's official interval
•Check coolant colour and level. Mixed coolant colours or low level without a visible external leak indicates a likely EGR cooler internal failure
•Request evidence of swirl flap inspection or delete
•On manual (EfficientDynamics/163hp) cars, physically test reverse gear engagement both cold and warm. Weak synchro on GS6-45DZ boxes is a known issue
•On automatic cars, check for harsh or delayed shifts, or a history of limp mode. ZF 6HP mechatronic failure is common
•Compare real-world fuel consumption against expectations for the variant. Unexplained consumption over 30 percent higher than normal may indicate a degraded wastegate return spring
BMW N47
E90/E91/E92 · LCI
Rear timing chain kit (chain, guides, tensioner)
Inspect immediately on any used purchase; get written confirmation of Quality Enhancement completion if built between 03/2007 and 01/2009; replace proactively if rattle is present on cold start
100,000-150,000 km
Swirl flap assembly / intake manifold
Inspect linkage for cracks or play; consider swirl flap delete or blank-off to prevent catastrophic engine ingestion
80,000-160,000 km
EGR cooler
Check for 2018 recall completion; monitor coolant level and scan for code 290900 before purchase
100,000-200,000 km
Turbo wastegate return spring
Physically inspect or lubricate proactively. Cheap part, but an ignored failure silently inflates fuel bills by 30 to 50 percent
100,000-180,000 km
BMW N47
E90/E91/E92 · LCI
EGR Cooler, Cracking / Coolant Leak / Fire Risk
EGR cooler can crack internally, leading to coolant mixing with exhaust and, in rare cases, intake tube melting or engine bay fire. BMW issued a global recall covering approximately 1.6 million vehicles in 2018.
Crankcase PCV Emissions System
BMW recalled certain 2007-2013 3 Series and 2008-2013 1 Series for a crankcase ventilation (PCV) related emissions system fault that could cause oil ingestion or emissions non-compliance.
BMW N47
E90/E91/E92 · LCI
✓Strong torque output of 340 to 380 Nm depending on variant, for a 2.0L diesel
✓Fuel-efficient when running correctly and serviced frequently
✓Good parts availability due to widespread fitment
✓Engines built after March 2011 have a revised crankshaft, chain guides and tensioner, meaningfully reducing but not eliminating chain risk
✓Robust block if timing chain, EGR and wastegate spring issues are proactively addressed
BMW N47
E90/E91/E92 · LCI
Real consumption
6 L/100km
Official consumption
Not available
Oil interval
10,000 km
Oil spec
BMW Longlife-04 5W-30 fully synthetic (e.g., Castrol Edge 5W-30 LL or Mobil 1 ESP 5W-30)
Est. cost /3yr
€1,500-4,500 over 3 years depending on timing chain and EGR status at purchase
BMW N47
E90/E91/E92 · LCI
163 hp · 340 Nm
2009-2012
177 hp · 350 Nm
2007-2011
184 hp · 380 Nm
2010-2012
Don't pick an N47 based on the hp figure on the registration document. Pick it based on the engine build date (stamped on the block, or visible in the DDE via diagnostics), not the car's registration year. The highest timing chain risk falls on engines built between 1 March 2007 and 5 January 2009, regardless of output (163, 177 or 184hp). BMW never issued a legal recall for this in the UK/EU. It was a voluntary 'Quality Enhancement' programme that started in 2015 and was scaled back around 2016, with inconsistent coverage. Ask for written, dealer-stamped proof that the work was done, not just a verbal answer.