Faults and recalls.

Engine / equipment

N47 2.0 diesel (116d–123d, 316d–325d, 520d, X1/X3 18d-20d)

Period mentioned

2007–2015 (improved from 2011)

Symptoms

Rattling from the rear of the engine (gearbox side) on a cold start, getting worse over time. In extreme cases the engine cuts out while driving.

Possible cause described

The timing chain sits at the rear of the engine; its guides are poorly lubricated and the chain stretches. If it jumps or snaps, the valves hit the pistons and the engine is destroyed.

Check for the garage

Listen with the engine fully cold, ideally with a mechanic's stethoscope on the rear of the block.

Cost cited in the source

Approx. €2,000–4,000 at an independent garage (engine must come out)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

N20 / N26 2.0 turbo petrol (118i–125i, 320i/328i, 520i/528i, X1/X3 20i-28i, Z4)

Period mentioned

Approx. 2012–2015

Symptoms

High-pitched whine from the engine that rises with revs, rattle on a cold start.

Possible cause described

The plastic chain guides become brittle and break. The chain goes slack and can jump, or the fragments block the oil pump.

Check for the garage

Check the guides through the oil filler opening and listen for the whine with the bonnet open.

Cost cited in the source

Approx. €1,700–3,300A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

N20 / N26 and other BMW engines with an aluminium oil filter housing

Period mentioned

2011–2017

Symptoms

Oil leak at the front of the engine, oil on the auxiliary belt (squeal or burning smell), sometimes oil and coolant mixing.

Possible cause described

The oil filter housing gasket hardens with heat cycles and cracks. Together with the valve cover gasket, it is the most common BMW oil leak.

Check for the garage

Visual inspection of the filter housing area, the belt and the bottom of the engine.

Cost cited in the source

€400–900A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 80,000–130,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

N57 3.0 diesel (325d/330d/335d, 525d/530d/535d, 730d, X3/X5/X6 30d-40d)

Period mentioned

2008–2018 (most cases 2008–2011)

Symptoms

Chain rattle for the first 5–10 seconds after starting; on engines with low oil pressure, noises and oil pump damage.

Possible cause described

Rear-mounted single-row chain with plastic guides and a tensioner; it stretches, especially with long oil change intervals. Far more durable than the N47's, with most lasting beyond 200,000 km.

Check for the garage

Listen to a cold start and check the oil change history. The gearbox must come off to replace it.

Cost cited in the source

€2,500–4,500A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: from 200,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

M47TU 2.0 diesel with swirl flaps (318d/320d E46 from 2001, 118d/120d E87, 320d E90 and 520d E60 until 2007, X3 2.0d)

Period mentioned

2001–2007

Symptoms

Loss of power, smoke or knocking, often with no prior warning: one of the flaps comes loose and drops into the cylinder.

Possible cause described

The small swirl flaps in the intake manifold work loose with vibration and can break off into the cylinder, damaging the piston, valves and turbo. BMW strengthened the flaps in 2006.

Check for the garage

Check whether they have already been removed or replaced with blanking plugs and inspect the intake manifold.

Cost cited in the source

€4,000–6,000 if the failure damages the engine; prevention costs far lessA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

S54 (M3 E46, Z4 M), S65 V8 (M3 E90/E92/E93) and S85 V10 (M5 E60, M6 E63)

Period mentioned

2000–2013

Symptoms

Little prior warning; once wear is advanced, a metallic rod knock that rises with revs. On the S65 and S85, also jerking and limp mode from failing throttle actuators.

Possible cause described

Very tight rod bearing clearances and soft bearing material, made worse by cold oil, revving the engine before it is warm and poor maintenance. Catastrophic failure is rare, but premature wear is common.

Check for the garage

Oil analysis and bearing replacement history. Indicative preventive replacement: S54 around 130,000–160,000 km, S65 around 100,000–130,000 km and S85 around 80,000–110,000 km.

Cost cited in the source

Preventive replacement: approx. €2,800–5,500 (converted from dollars); a spun bearing costs far moreA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 80,000–160,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

S55 3.0 twin-turbo (M3 F80, M4 F82/F83, M2 Competition and CS F87)

Period mentioned

2014–2021

Symptoms

Engine or drivetrain warning, rough running, or the engine cranks but won't start because the ECU blocks it after detecting timing deviation.

Possible cause described

The crank hub that drives the chain is held only by friction from one bolt, with no key. Under high load (aggressive high-rev downshifts or extra power from tuning) it can slip and throw the timing out, risking valve-to-piston contact. It is more common on modified cars.

Check for the garage

Read camshaft deviation with a diagnostic tool and check whether the hub has moved. The permanent fix is a pinned or keyed hub.

Cost cited in the source

Pinned hub: approx. €900–1,000 plus labour; repair after a slip: approx. €750–2,300 (converted from dollars)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

N54 3.0 twin-turbo (135i E82/E88, 335i E90-E93 until 2010, 535i, 1 M Coupé, Z4 35i)

Period mentioned

2006–2013

Symptoms

Long cranking, hesitation, engine light and limp mode (high-pressure pump); metallic rattle at idle or between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm and low boost (wastegates); misfires from injectors.

Possible cause described

Faulty high-pressure fuel pump (BMW extended its US warranty to 10 years or 120,000 miles for 2007–2010), worn turbo wastegate bushings and piezo injectors with many revisions.

Check for the garage

Read fuel pressure and boost codes, listen at idle and confirm by VIN that the revised pump is fitted.

Cost cited in the source

High-pressure pump: approx. €500–1,000 (estimate); two turbos for the wastegates: the most expensive repairA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

N63 4.4 V8 twin-turbo (550i, 650i, 750i, X5/X6 50i, M550i) and its M version, the S63 (M5, M6, M8, X5 M, X6 M)

Period mentioned

2008–2026 (most cases on 2008–2013 N63)

Symptoms

High oil consumption, blue or white smoke on start-up, misfires, chain rattle and a battery that drains.

Possible cause described

The turbos sit inside the engine's V and the heat hardens valve stem seals, hoses and plastic chain guides. In 2014 BMW launched the N63 “Customer Care Package” (injectors, chain, seals, battery). The 2012 N63TU reduced oil consumption without eliminating it. On the S63, rod bearings are also worth monitoring.

Check for the garage

Oil consumption test, confirm by VIN that the Customer Care Package was done and listen for the chain on a cold start.

Cost cited in the source

Valve stem seals: approx. €6,500–8,300 (converted from dollars); chain: several thousand eurosA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

B47 and B57 diesel and B48 and B58 petrol modular engines (BMW from 2014–2015 and MINI from 2014)

Period mentioned

2014–2026

Symptoms

Coolant loss with a low-level warning, coolant or oil residue at the rear of the engine; on diesels, internal coolant loss with no visible leak (EGR cooler).

Possible cause described

On the B48 and B58 the water pump leaks (from its weep hole) and the oil filter housing with heat exchanger can crack; on 2017–2021 B58s the crankcase ventilation valve also fails. On the diesels the EGR cooler can leak internally and mix coolant with soot: BMW issued a recall over the risk of the intake manifold catching fire.

Check for the garage

Check the coolant level, look for leaks under the water pump and at the oil filter housing, and on diesels confirm by VIN whether the EGR cooler campaign was done.

Cost cited in the source

Water pump: relatively cheap to replace; oil filter housing: more labour-intensive; EGR cooler: free if covered by the campaignA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 80,000–195,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

BMW 330e, 530e, X3 xDrive30e, X5 xDrive45e, 745e, i8 and MINI Countryman SE ALL4 plug-in hybrids

Period mentioned

2020–2021

Symptoms

Usually none before failure. In rare cases, a battery short-circuit with a fire risk, especially while charging.

Possible cause described

During cell production (supplier Samsung) welding debris got into some cells, which can cause a short-circuit. BMW recalled about 26,900 cars worldwide and, until a fix was ready, asked owners not to charge them.

Check for the garage

Confirm by VIN with BMW that the battery recall has been done; if not, do not charge the car until it is checked.

Cost cited in the source

Free under the recall: inspection and module replacement if neededA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

BMW petrol engines with an electric water pump: N52, N53, N54, N55, N20 and others from 2004–2016

Period mentioned

2004–2016

Symptoms

Temperature warning and limited power with no prior warning (water pump); burning oil smell or smoke from leaks onto the exhaust or belt; rough idle and VANOS codes (2A82, 2A87).

Possible cause described

The water pump is electric and its electronics fail, often without warning, between 95,000 and 160,000 km. The valve cover and oil filter housing gaskets harden and leak; the latter can drip onto the belt. The VANOS solenoids get dirty and fail.

Check for the garage

Check the water pump and thermostat history, look for leaks at the valve cover and oil filter housing, and read VANOS codes.

Cost cited in the source

Water pump: approx. €550–1,100 fitted; oil filter housing gasket: €275–550; valve cover: €370–740 (converted from dollars)A rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Mileage cited in the database: 95,000–160,000 km. This is not a maintenance interval and does not predict a failure.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

N43 four-cylinder petrol (116i, 118i, 120i E87 and 318i, 320i E90, 2007–2011) and N13 (114i, 116i, 118i F20 and 316i F30, 2011–2016)

Period mentioned

2007–2016

Symptoms

Chain rattle on cold starts, VANOS engine light, rising oil consumption and, in severe cases, the engine seizing with no prior warning.

Possible cause described

On the N43 the plastic chain guides break and their debris can block the oil pump strainer, starving the engine of oil. On the N13 the chain stretches and the tensioner fails (BMW improved it on later engines), and the turbo diverter valve, the valve cover ventilation membrane and the VANOS solenoids also fail.

Check for the garage

Listen to a cold start, check the oil filler cap for plastic debris and read VANOS codes.

Cost cited in the source

Chain kit: several hundred to over a thousand euros depending on the garage; a seized engine, far moreA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

FRM3 footwell module (lights, indicators and windows): 1 Series E81 to E88, 3 Series E90 to E93, X1 E84, Z4 E89, X5 E70, X6 E71 and E72 and MINI R55 to R61

Period mentioned

2004–2015

Symptoms

After a flat battery, a battery change or disconnection, or a jump start: lights, indicators or windows stop working, side or dipped lights stay on and diagnostics cannot communicate with the module (for example code 00A3C1).

Possible cause described

The module's EEPROM gets corrupted by low or unstable voltage: a flat battery, jump starting, overcharging from a faulty alternator or loose terminals. It is a module software fault, not a wiring fault.

Check for the garage

Check the battery and charging and try communicating with ISTA. If the module does not respond, it can be repaired by rewriting its EEPROM (specialist services or programmers) instead of being replaced, then coded. Use a voltage maintainer when working on the car.

Cost cited in the source

Repair by a specialist service: from about €20–60 plus postage; new module with dealer coding: considerably moreA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database

Engine / equipment

ZF 8HP automatic gearbox in rear-wheel-drive BMWs from 2009 (1 to 8 Series and X: F20, F30, F10, G20, G30, X3, X5…)

Period mentioned

2009–2026

Symptoms

Harsh shifts (especially engaging D and 1st to 2nd), slipping or jerking; oil leaks from the pan, the mechatronic connector sleeve or the seals.

Possible cause described

BMW's diagnostic guide says an incorrect oil level is a frequent cause of shift complaints and asks for it to be checked every time, even with no visible leaks; the pan can be damaged by impacts. The sealing sleeve between gearbox and mechatronic lets oil through to the connector. The oil, sold as lifetime, degrades.

Check for the garage

Check the oil level with the official procedure (correct temperature and engine running), look for leaks at the pan, connector sleeve and seals, inspect the pan for impact damage and review adaptation values with ISTA.

Cost cited in the source

Oil change with pan and filter: maintenance; sleeve or seals: minor repair; mechatronic: expensive repairA rough figure from the original database, not an up-to-date quote.

Sources from the original database