BMW N47 engine report
BMW N47 · 520d (F10/F11)
2.0 LDieselInline-42010–2013
40/100
[risky]
Good motorway car, bad gamble without chain paperwork
Worth buying, but only on the right car. Proof of a chain replacement with the revised guides and tensioner, or a clean cold-start check by a specialist, plus oil changes every 10,000–15,000 km.
ExcellentGoodSolidRiskyAvoid
- Known issues
- 15
- Critical
- 3
- Sources
- 99
Verdict
Get the timing chain checked before any money changes hands.
Stretch and guide wear is the most common complaint on this engine, and it isn't a cheap job. Ask about the DPF too, since clogging and failed regenerations are common, especially on cars that have only done short trips. The high-pressure fuel pump is the third common fault, and a failure there can mean replacing most of the fuel system. At a price that leaves a proper repair fund over, it still makes sense.
Specs
- Displacement
- 2.0 L
- Layout
- Inline-4
- Fuel
- Diesel
- Compression
- 16.1:1-16.5:1
- Production
- March 2007 - September 2014
- Chassis
- F10/F11
- Generation
- F10
- Fitted
- 2010–2013
Known issues
15 confirmed · sorted by severity
CriticalPiston ringland failure
Piston ringland cracking under high cylinder pressure/heat, common on tuned forced-induction engines.
Symptoms
- Power Loss
- Smoke (White/Blue/Black)
- Misfire
How often
Rare · Design weakness. Can destroy the engine if ignored. Not safely drivable.
Evidence
8 owner reports back this, confidence 50/100.
CriticalOil pump wear / sludge buildup
Oil pump wear or sludge accumulation (often from extended oil-change intervals) reducing oil pressure and lubrication.
Symptoms
- Warning Light
- Knocking Noise
How often
Rare · Design weakness. Can destroy the engine if ignored. Not safely drivable.
Evidence
9 owner reports back this, confidence 45/100.
CriticalHead gasket failure
Head gasket failure, often preceded by overheating; can lead to a warped head or cracked block if not addressed.
Symptoms
- Coolant Loss
- Smoke (White/Blue/Black)
- Warning Light
How often
Very rare · Age-related wear. Does not normally destroy the engine. Not safely drivable.
Evidence
5 owner reports back this, confidence 50/100.
HighHigh-pressure fuel pump failure
HPFP wear or failure, sometimes shedding metal debris into the fuel system.
Symptoms
- Misfire
- Warning Light
- Hesitation
How often
Common · Design weakness. Can destroy the engine if ignored. Not safely drivable.
Evidence
34 owner reports back this, confidence 55/100.
ModerateTiming chain stretch / guide wear
Timing chain elongates or plastic guides wear prematurely, causing rattle, incorrect valve timing, or in severe cases chain failure.
Symptoms
- Knocking Noise
- Cold Start Rattle
- Warning Light
How often
Very common · Design weakness. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
Evidence
107 owner reports back this, confidence 55/100.
ModerateDPF clogging / regeneration failure
Diesel particulate filter clogs, especially with short/urban trips that prevent regeneration, triggering warning lights or limp mode.
Symptoms
- Warning Light
- Reduced Power Mode
How often
Common · Environmental. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
Evidence
42 owner reports back this, confidence 55/100.
ModerateExcessive oil consumption
Worn valve stem seals, piston rings, or a clogged PCV/oil separator system causing oil consumption above manufacturer spec.
Symptoms
- Oil Consumption
- Smoke (White/Blue/Black)
How often
Rare · Design weakness. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
Evidence
14 owner reports back this, confidence 50/100.
ModerateWater pump failure
Water pump seal or bearing failure (mechanical or electric pump), causing coolant loss.
Symptoms
- Coolant Loss
- Warning Light
How often
Rare · Design weakness. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
Evidence
7 owner reports back this, confidence 45/100.
ModerateDual-mass flywheel / clutch wear
Dual-mass flywheel wear causing rattle/vibration, often coinciding with clutch replacement interval.
Symptoms
- Excessive Vibration
- Knocking Noise
How often
Very rare · Expected maintenance. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
Evidence
4 owner reports back this, confidence 50/100.
LowIntercooler failure or leak
Intercooler core cracking or pipe seal failure, causing boost loss.
Symptoms
- Power Loss
How often
Rare · Age-related wear. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
Evidence
8 owner reports back this, confidence 50/100.
LowEGR valve / swirl flap clogging
EGR valve, EGR cooler, or intake swirl flaps clog with carbon/soot, causing rough running or limp mode.
Symptoms
- Rough Idle
- Reduced Power Mode
- Warning Light
How often
Rare · Expected maintenance. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
Evidence
9 owner reports back this, confidence 45/100.
LowFuel injector failure
Injector wear, sticking, or seal failure causing misfires, rough running, or fuel leaks.
Symptoms
- Misfire
- Rough Idle
- Fuel Smell
How often
Rare · Design weakness. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
Evidence
12 owner reports back this, confidence 40/100.
LowGlow plug failure
Glow plug wear or failure causing hard cold starts on diesel engines.
Symptoms
- Warning Light
How often
Rare · Design weakness. Can destroy the engine if ignored. Still drivable.
Evidence
9 owner reports back this, confidence 40/100.
LowOil leak from seals or gaskets
Valve cover gasket, rear main seal, or front main seal degradation causing external oil leaks.
Symptoms
- Oil Consumption
How often
Very rare · Design weakness. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
Evidence
5 owner reports back this, confidence 45/100.
LowThermostat / temperature sensor failure
Thermostat sticking open or closed, or temperature sensor drift, causing incorrect operating temperature.
Symptoms
- Warning Light
How often
Very rare · Age-related wear. Does not normally destroy the engine. Still drivable.
Evidence
2 owner reports back this, confidence 40/100.
- Critical
- High
- Moderate
- Low
High-pressure fuel pump failurefrom 115k km
Timing chain stretch / guide wearfrom 129k km
DPF clogging / regeneration failurefrom 161k km
Piston ringland failurefrom 186k km
Oil pump wear / sludge buildupfrom 220k km
Head gasket failurefrom 257k km
Excessive oil consumptionfrom 155k km
Water pump failurefrom 129k km
Showing the 8 highest-impact of 15 dated issues. The rest are in the list above.
Buying checklist
0 of 15 checked
Sources
Updated 12 Sept 2026 · scoring v2.7
Behind this report sit 99 owner posts, forum threads and official records. Nothing gets on the list on one person's word. It takes a recall, or owners on separate platforms describing the same fault. The score then sets how often a problem turns up against the damage it does.