Timing chain wear (rear-mounted)
usually 150,000–280,000 km · High risk
Signs: Whine or rattle from the gearbox end
Fix: Replace chain (gearbox out)
€2,000–4,000
Engine: common problems, timing drive and oil
3.0d (BMW N57)
Diesel · 2,993 cm³ · 150–280 kW
13
model generations
3
known faults
555,000
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 13 model generations, among them: BMW 5 Series (F10), BMW X5 (F15), BMW 3 Series (F30), BMW 4 Series (F32), BMW X6 (F16), BMW 6 Series (F12) and 7 more.
The most expensive known risk is timing chain wear (rear-mounted): it usually appears at 150,000–280,000 km and costs €2,000–4,000 to fix.
Key facts
| Fuel | Diesel |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 2,993 cm³ |
| Power | 150–280 kW |
| Years | 2008–2019 |
| Timing drive | Chain |
| Oil | 5W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~6.5 L · every 15,000 km |
| Engine codes | N57D30 |
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.
EGR cooler recall
usually 60,000–200,000 km · High risk
model years 2011–2017 only
Signs: Coolant leak into the EGR — fire risk
Fix: Check recall status (free)
free / recall
Vacuum pump / oil filter housing leaks
usually 120,000–220,000 km · Wear part
Signs: Oil leaks
Fix: Reseal
€200–600
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 3 Series (E90) 2005–2012BMW 3 Series (E91/E92/E93) 2005–2013BMW 3 Series (F30) 2012–2019BMW 4 Series (F32) 2013–2020BMW 5 Series (F10) 2010–2017BMW 6 Series (F12) 2011–2018BMW 7 Series (F01) 2008–2015BMW X3 (F25) 2010–2017BMW X4 (F26) 2014–2018BMW X5 (E70) 2006–2013BMW X5 (F15) 2013–2018BMW X6 (E71) 2008–2014BMW X6 (F16) 2014–2019
Common questions
Does the 3.0d (BMW N57) engine have a timing chain or a timing belt?
Chain.
What oil does the 3.0d (BMW N57) engine take?
5W-30 · BMW LL-04 · ~6.5 L · every 15,000 km.
What are the known problems with the 3.0d (BMW N57) engine?
The faults with the highest risk: timing chain wear (rear-mounted) (150,000–280,000 km, €2,000–4,000); EGR cooler recall (60,000–200,000 km, free / recall).
Which cars have the 3.0d (BMW N57) engine?
BMW 5 Series (F10), BMW X5 (F15), BMW 3 Series (F30), BMW 4 Series (F32), BMW X6 (F16), BMW 6 Series (F12) and 7 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