Diesel · 2012–2019
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
All about the BMW 3 Series (F30)All about the 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47) engine
The 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47) engine was fitted to the BMW 3 Series (F30) (2012–2019). In the EU that is 35.6 % of all new cars of this generation.
The most expensive known risk is timing chain stretch at the gearbox end (worst on 2007-2011 builds): it usually appears at 80,000–220,000 km and costs €2,000–4,500 to fix.
✓ The faults of this engine were checked against sources (10/2026). Each item has at least two independent sources or an official recall or parts-maker technical note.
Signs: Rattle or whirring from the back of the engine, mostly after a cold start or around 1,500-2,000 rpm; later cam/crank correlation faults (P0016/P0017) and possible chain breakage
Fix: Do not keep driving at the first rattle; replace chains, guides, tensioner and sprockets with the latest revised parts (engine or gearbox must come out); short oil change intervals help
Signs: Swirl flap fault codes, uneven running or power loss; a broken flap or screw can enter a cylinder and damage the valves, piston or turbo
Fix: Inspect the intake manifold from about 150,000 km; clean it or fit a new manifold with flaps
Signs: Often none; coolant loss without a visible leak, white smoke or a burning smell; in rare cases the plastic intake melts
Fix: Have a BMW dealer check by VIN whether the recall was done; the EGR cooler is replaced free of charge
Signs: Power loss, jerky part-load running, EGR fault codes (e.g. P0401), soot in the intake
Fix: Check EGR valve and bypass flap with vacuum hoses; clean or replace the valve, replace cracked hoses
Signs: DPF warning, frequent or failed regenerations, limp mode (e.g. P2002); worse with short trips
Fix: First check the differential pressure sensor, its hoses and the thermostat; then forced regeneration, cleaning (if ash is high but the core is intact) or replacement; use LL-04 oil
Signs: Rough idle, knocking, smoke, hard cold starts; injector correction values out of range
Fix: Read injector quantity corrections and do a leak-off test to find the faulty one; recondition or replace only the faulty injectors
Signs: Steering warning in the cluster and suddenly heavy steering, sometimes after an engine start; clunk or noise from the rack.
Fix: Check the VIN for open steering campaigns; BMW reworks the EPS motor bolts or replaces the steering gear, otherwise the rack is replaced or reconditioned.
Signs: Knock felt in the steering wheel on rough roads or at full lock at low speed.
Fix: Replace the rack thrust piece (yoke) kit and set its preload per BMW repair instructions instead of replacing the whole rack; then check alignment.
Signs: Knocking or bouncing over bumps, oily dampers or a cracked spring found at the roadworthiness test.
Fix: Inspect dampers, springs and spring seats on a lift; replace dampers or springs in pairs per axle and check alignment.
Signs: Handbrake holds poorly or unevenly; car fails the parking brake test.
Fix: Clean and adjust the drum-in-disc parking brake shoes and free the cables; replace shoes or cables if worn or seized.
Signs: Misted headlight, failed LED/xenon module or wrong beam setting noted at the roadworthiness test.
Fix: Check the headlight seals and vent caps and dry the unit; a failed LED module or ballast is replaced, otherwise the whole headlight.
Signs: Slipping, high bite point
Fix: Replace clutch kit
Signs: Rattle at idle, vibration pulling away
Fix: Replace with clutch
Signs: Delayed engagement of D or R when cold, jerky shifts or slip when warm, shudder at 60-80 km/h under light throttle, eventually limp mode
Fix: Check adaptation and pressure values; renew the mechatronic seal sleeves, change fluid and filter pan (flush), replace the torque converter if shudder persists
Typical routine maintenance cost for 100,000 km: €2,400–5,750. Sum of the services and wear parts in the plan above (about 15,000 km a year, independent workshop), without faults.
Intervals and typical prices for the BMW 3 Series (F30) with the 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47) engine. The app gives the exact plan for your mileage.
| Item | Interval | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| DPF health check (soot / ash load)Emissions | every 20,000 km | €0–60 |
| Engine oil + oil filterEngine | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €70–150 |
| Cabin (pollen) filterClimate | every 15,000 km or every 12 months | €15–40 |
| Brake fluidBrakes | every 24 months | €50–95 |
| A/C service (regas + desiccant)Climate | every 24 months | €70–150 |
| Air filterEngine | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €15–45 |
| Fuel filterFuel | every 30,000 km or every 24 months | €40–110 |
| Glow plugsEngine | every 100,000 km | €120–300 |
| Auxiliary (serpentine) beltEngine | every 120,000 km | €70–180 |
| Coolant replacementCooling | every 150,000 km or every 96 months | €70–150 |
| Timing chain inspection (listen on cold start)Engine | every 150,000 km | €0–120 |
| Manual gearbox oilTransmission | every 150,000 km | €60–130 |
| Front brake padsBrakes | usually at 30,000–60,000 km | €60–150 |
| Front brake discs + padsBrakes | usually at 60,000–120,000 km | €150–320 |
| Rear brake padsBrakes | usually at 50,000–90,000 km | €50–130 |
| Tyres (set of 4)Wheels | usually at 40,000–60,000 km | €320–700 |
| Wiper bladesBody | checked at service | €20–50 |
| 12V batteryElectrical | checked at service | €100–220 |
Recalls the manufacturer published in the United Kingdom for this model (25). The same recalls usually apply across Europe. Ask an authorised dealer to check by VIN whether your car is affected and whether the work has been done.
The faults with the highest risk: timing chain stretch at the gearbox end (worst on 2007-2011 builds) (80,000–220,000 km, €2,000–4,500); intake swirl flaps jam with soot or break (120,000–220,000 km, €300–900); DPF clogging or faulty DPF pressure sensor (100,000–250,000 km, €150–1,800); injector wear (rough idle, hard cold start) (150,000–250,000 km, €350–1,500).
Chain.
5W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~5.2 L · every 15,000 km.
2.0d (BMW B47)3.0d (BMW N57)2.0 petrol (BMW N20)2.0 petrol (BMW B48)1.2 / 1.5 3-cyl petrol (BMW / MINI B38)
Toyota Avensis (T27) 2009–2018BMW 1 Series (F20) 2011–2019BMW 5 Series (F10) 2010–2017MINI Hatch (R56) 2006–2013BMW 4 Series (F32) 2013–2020BMW X3 (F25) 2010–2017Toyota Verso 2009–2018BMW X1 (E84) 2009–2015MINI Countryman (R60) 2010–2016BMW X4 (F26) 2014–2018
Main sources for the faults of this engine:
Faults, intervals and prices are indicative and collected from public sources and owner experience; always rely on the service book and a qualified workshop. Test statistics: DVSA – Anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0. Dutch tests: RDW Open Data (CC0). Engine versions: EEA, monitoring of CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars (CC BY 4.0, DG CLIMA). Owner complaints: NHTSA ODI (public domain). Recalls: DVSA Vehicle Safety Branch Recalls Database, OGL v3.0. Brand and model names are trademarks of their owners and are used only to describe the vehicles. How we check the data →
Updated 29/10/2026