Timing chain at rear of engine
usually 100,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Whirring or rattle from gearbox end at idle
Fix: Act immediately: gearbox-out repair
€1,800–3,500
Engine: common problems, timing drive and oil
1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47)
Diesel · 1,598 / 1,995 cm³ · 70–160 kW
22
model generations
3
known faults
1,256,000
new cars in the EU (2010–2025)
Enter your VIN and mileage and get a plan built for your exact engine and gearbox.
Fuel: Diesel. Timing drive: chain.
In our database this engine is fitted to 22 model generations, among them: BMW 3 Series (F30), BMW X1 (E84), BMW 5 Series (F10), BMW 1 Series (F20), MINI Hatch (R56), BMW X3 (F25) and 16 more.
The most expensive known risk is timing chain at rear of engine: it usually appears at 100,000–200,000 km and costs €1,800–3,500 to fix.
Key facts
| Fuel | Diesel |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 1,598 / 1,995 cm³ |
| Power | 70–160 kW |
| Timing drive | Chain |
| Oil | 5W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~5.2 L · every 15,000 km |
| Engine codes | N47D20, N47D16, N47C20, N47C16, N47S1 |
Known engine faults
Faults that belong to the engine itself. They apply to every model with this engine, and each model has its own extra faults on its model page.
Swirl flaps
usually 120,000–200,000 km · High risk
Signs: Can break off into the engine
Fix: Replace or blank off
€200–500
EGR cooler / valve
usually 120,000–200,000 km · Medium risk
Signs: Power loss, EGR codes
Fix: Replace EGR components
€400–1,100
Engine-related service
Intervals and typical prices, using the BMW 3 Series (F30) as an example. The app gives the exact plan for your car.
| 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 |
| 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 |
Models with this engine
Model generations this engine is fitted to.
BMW 1 Series (E81/E82/E88) 2007–2013BMW 1 Series (E87) 2004–2011BMW 1 Series (F20) 2011–2019BMW 2 Series Coupé (F22) 2014–2021BMW 3 Series (E90) 2005–2012BMW 3 Series (E91/E92/E93) 2005–2013BMW 3 Series (F30) 2012–2019BMW 4 Series (F32) 2013–2020BMW 5 Series (E60) 2003–2010BMW 5 Series (F10) 2010–2017BMW X1 (E84) 2009–2015BMW X3 (E83) 2003–2010BMW X3 (F25) 2010–2017BMW X4 (F26) 2014–2018BMW X5 (F15) 2013–2018MINI Clubman (R55) 2007–2014MINI Countryman (R60) 2010–2016MINI Hatch (R56) 2006–2013MINI Paceman (R61) 2013–2016Toyota Auris II 2012–2018Toyota Avensis (T27) 2009–2018Toyota Verso 2009–2018
Common questions
Does the 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47) engine have a timing chain or a timing belt?
Chain.
What oil does the 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47) engine take?
5W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~5.2 L · every 15,000 km.
What are the known problems with the 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47) engine?
The faults with the highest risk: timing chain at rear of engine (100,000–200,000 km, €1,800–3,500); swirl flaps (120,000–200,000 km, €200–500); EGR cooler / valve (120,000–200,000 km, €400–1,100).
Which cars have the 1.6d / 2.0d (BMW N47) engine?
BMW 3 Series (F30), BMW X1 (E84), BMW 5 Series (F10), BMW 1 Series (F20), MINI Hatch (R56), BMW X3 (F25) and 16 more.
Sources and notes
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.
Updated 08/10/2026