EngineCreep
DE

BMW N47
in every car

5 cars · scores 38–40/100

We score the N47 in 5 cars. The best is the 3 Series F30 at 40/100, the weakest the 114d F20 at 38/100.

What the N47 is known for

The timing chain sits at the back of the engine, against the gearbox, so changing it is an engine-out job. On our owner reports the bill runs €800–2,500, and more where the chain has already jumped. The engines hit hardest were built between March 2007 and January 2009. BMW revised the chain and its guides in 2009 and again later, which cut the failures without ending them: owners still report stretched chains on 2012–2015 cars. At a viewing, listen for a rattle from the back of the engine on a cold start, and ask for the invoice if the seller says the chain has been done.

The other failure owners describe most is the high-pressure fuel pump. A worn pump can shed metal into the whole fuel system, which turns a pump replacement into injectors, rail and lines as well. On our data it typically shows up from around 115,000 km.

Version by version

  1. BMW N47 in the 3 Series F302012–2015

    40/100Risky

    19 confirmed issues

    Best-known problemHigh-pressure fuel pump failure · from 115k km · €800–2,000

  2. BMW N47 in the 520d F102010–2013

    40/100Risky

    15 confirmed issues

    Best-known problemHigh-pressure fuel pump failure · from 115k km · €800–2,000

  3. BMW N47 in the 120d F202011–2014

    40/100Risky

    15 confirmed issues

    Best-known problemHigh-pressure fuel pump failure · from 115k km · €800–2,000

  4. BMW N47 in the 3 Series E90 LCI2009–2012

    38/100Avoid

    16 confirmed issues

    Best-known problemHigh-pressure fuel pump failure · from 115k km · €800–2,000

  5. BMW N47 in the 114d F202012–2015

    38/100Avoid

    15 confirmed issues

    Best-known problemHigh-pressure fuel pump failure · from 115k km · €800–2,000

The problems they share

Reported on all 5

  • High-pressure fuel pump failure
  • Timing chain stretch / guide wear
  • DPF clogging / regeneration failure
  • Piston ringland failure
  • Oil pump wear / sludge buildup
  • Excessive oil consumption
  • Head gasket failure
  • Dual-mass flywheel / clutch wear
  • Water pump failure
  • Intercooler failure or leak
  • EGR valve / swirl flap clogging
  • Oil leak from seals or gaskets
  • Fuel injector failure
  • Glow plug failure
  • Thermostat / temperature sensor failure

Only reported on the 3 Series F30

  • Dual-clutch / automatic transmission failure
  • Rod bearing failure
  • Wastegate / boost actuator failure
  • Engine sensor failure

Only reported on the 3 Series E90 LCI

  • Variable valve timing solenoid/actuator failure

A problem missing from a version may be rarer there, or have fewer owner reports behind it so far.

Before and after

It replaced the BMW M47, which scores 80/100.

It was replaced by the BMW B47, which scores 70–73/100 across 3 cars.