Carsieve

BMW B47 2.0 diesel (318d, 320d, 520d): problems, costs and what to check

A solid diesel with a fire-risk recall, so check the recall work and turbo paperwork first.

At a glance

  • What it is: BMW 2.0 four-cylinder diesel from 2014. It replaced the older N47 in the 5 Series and X3 that year. Longitudinal codes B47D20A and B47D20B (rear or xDrive cars), transverse code B47C20B (X1, X2 and front-drive 1 and 2 Series). Longitudinal cars use the ZF 8HP automatic: see the ZF 8HP guide.
  • Main faults: the EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) cooler leaks coolant and is under recall. Turbos fail on some cars. The EGR valve, the injectors and the DPF (diesel particulate filter) wear out.
  • Reliability: 3/5. German press rates it a very good engine, but the EGR recall and turbo faults are real.
  • DIY: 2/5. Access is tight, and the EGR cooler job takes about one working day.
  • Buy: a car with EGR recall work done and turbo paperwork. Avoid: an open EGR recall, or a high-mileage car with no service records.

Known issues

Issue Affects Typical km Repair cost
EGR cooler leaks and recall B47D20A, B47D20B, B47C20B; recalled builds 2014-2020 Not stated No confirmed price; about one working day
Turbocharger damage All B47 engines Over 200,000 km Not stated
EGR valve clogging All B47 engines Not stated Not stated
Injector wear All B47 engines 150,000-200,000 km No confirmed price
DPF wear All B47 engines About 250,000 km (service life) Not stated

Before you buy

  1. EGR recall (VIN check). Check the VIN for open BMW campaigns. Ask for proof that the EGR cooler was checked or replaced. Bad: an open EGR campaign, or no proof on a car built 2014-2020.
  2. Turbocharger (test drive). Ask where the car was driven. Turbo damage is reported mostly on cars used in low outside temperatures, where moisture in the clean-air pipe can freeze. Ask for turbo invoices. Bad: a turbo job with no paperwork. No scanner needed.
  3. Injectors (records). Ask for injector service records on any car above 150,000 km. Bad: no record at that mileage. No scanner needed.
  4. DPF (scanner). On any car above 250,000 km, check for DPF cleaning or replacement records. Bad: no records. A scanner shows stored DPF fault codes.
  5. EGR valve (records). Ask whether the EGR valve was cleaned or replaced. Bad: a car used mostly in heavy traffic with no record. No scanner needed.

Models with this engine

BrandModelGenerationProduction yearsPowerEngine codesADAC versions
BMW1er-ReiheF20/F21 facelift2015–2017150–224 PS (110–165 kW)B47D20A, B47D20B70
BMW1er-ReiheF20/F21 facelift 22017–2019150–224 PS (110–165 kW)B47D20A, B47D20B190
BMW1er-ReiheF402019–2024150–190 PS (110–140 kW)B47C20B39
BMW1er-ReiheF70since 2024150–163 PS (110–120 kW)B47C20B8
BMW2er-ReiheF22/F23/F872014–2017150–224 PS (110–165 kW)B47D20A, B47D20B59
BMW2er-ReiheF22/F23/F87 facelift2017–2020150–224 PS (110–165 kW)B47D20A, B47D20B190
BMW2er-ReiheG42/G872022–2024190 PS (140 kW)B47D20B6
BMW2er-ReiheG42/G87 faceliftsince 2024190 PS (140 kW)B47D20B2
BMW2er-Reihe Active/Gran TourerF45/F462014–2018150–190 PS (110–140 kW)B47C20B70
BMW2er-Reihe Active/Gran TourerF45/F46 facelift2018–2022150–190 PS (110–140 kW)B47C20B160
BMW2er-Reihe Active/Gran TourerU06since 2022150–211 PS (110–155 kW)B47C20B24
BMW2er-Reihe Gran CoupéF442020–2024150–190 PS (110–140 kW)B47C20B23
BMW2er-Reihe Gran CoupéF74since 2025150–163 PS (110–120 kW)B47C20B8
BMW3er-ReiheF30/F31/F34/F802015–2016150–190 PS (110–140 kW)B47D20A30
BMW3er-ReiheF30/F31/F34/F80 facelift2015–2020150–224 PS (110–165 kW)B47D20A, B47D20B365
BMW3er-ReiheG20/G21/G802019–2022150–190 PS (110–140 kW)B47D20B125
BMW3er-ReiheG20/G21/G80/G81 facelift2022–2024150–190 PS (110–140 kW)B47D20B24
BMW3er-ReiheG20/G21/G80/G81 facelift 2since 2024150–190 PS (110–140 kW)B47D20B18
BMW4er-ReiheF32/F33/F36/F82/F832015–2017150–224 PS (110–165 kW)B47D20A, B47D20B104
BMW4er-ReiheF32/F33/F36/F82/F83 facelift2017–2020150–190 PS (110–140 kW)B47D20A152
BMW4er-ReiheG22/G23/G26/G82/G832020–2024190 PS (140 kW)B47D20B10
BMW4er-ReiheG22/G23/G26/G82/G83 faceliftsince 2024190 PS (140 kW)B47D20B15
BMW5er-ReiheF07/F10/F10M/F11 facelift2014–2017150–190 PS (110–140 kW)B47D20A30
BMW5er-ReiheG30/G31/F902017–2020190–340 PS (140–250 kW)B47D20B121
BMW5er-ReiheG30/G31/F90 facelift2020–2024190 PS (140 kW)B47D20B16
BMW5er-ReiheG60/G61/G90/G99since 2023197 PS (145 kW)B47D20B12
BMW6er-Reihe GTG322018–2020190 PS (140 kW)B47D20B8
BMWX1F482015–2019150–231 PS (110–170 kW)B47C20B73
BMWX1F48 facelift2019–2022150–231 PS (110–170 kW)B47C20B64
BMWX1U11since 2022150–211 PS (110–155 kW)B47C20B42
BMWX2F392018–2023150–231 PS (110–170 kW)B47C20B110
BMWX2U10since 2024150–163 PS (110–120 kW)B47C20B12
BMWX3F25 facelift2014–2017150–190 PS (110–140 kW)B47D20A18
BMWX3G01/F972017–2021190–231 PS (140–170 kW)B47D20B33
BMWX3G01/F97 facelift2021–2024190 PS (140 kW)B47D20B5
BMWX3G45since 2024197 PS (145 kW)B47D20B3
BMWX4F262014–2018190 PS (140 kW)B47D20A9
BMWX4G02/F982018–2021190–231 PS (140–170 kW)B47D20B24
BMWX4G02/F98 facelift2021–2025190 PS (140 kW)B47D20B5
BMWX5F15/F852015–2018231 PS (170 kW)B47D20B12
BMWX5G05/F952019–2023231 PS (170 kW)B47D20B6
MINIClubmanF542015–2019150–190 PS (110–140 kW)B47C20B6
MINIClubmanF54 facelift2019–2024150–190 PS (110–140 kW)B47C20B31
MINICountrymanF602017–2020150–190 PS (110–140 kW)B47C20B18
MINICountrymanF60 facelift2020–2023150–190 PS (110–140 kW)B47C20B47
MINICountrymanU25since 2024163 PS (120 kW)B47C20B7
MINIMINIF55/F56/F572014–2018170 PS (125 kW)B47C20B21
MINIMINIF55/F56/F57 facelift2018–2019170 PS (125 kW)B47C20B7

In detail

EGR cooler leaks and recall

Symptoms. Coolant (glycol) leaks from the EGR cooler, the part that cools exhaust gas before it returns to the engine. The leak can melt the intake manifold, and it can cause a vehicle fire.

Cause. The cooler leaks over time. BMW developed a new, optimised cooler with a second supplier.

Which cars. Recall notices in the UK cover 1, 2 Active Tourer, 3, 5 and X1 Series cars built about 2014-2020. German press names four-cylinder 3 Series cars built April 2015 to September 2016, and X3 cars up to March 2017.

Fix. A workshop checks the cooler for leaks and replaces it if it leaks. Some cars also get an engine software update that detects EGR leaks. The job is estimated at about one working day.

Revised parts. Optimised EGR cooler. No part number given.

Cost. No confirmed price. The recall notices estimate about one working day.

Sources: Car-Recalls, 2024 BMW EGR cooler recall extended again, Car-Recalls, UK recall BMW 3 Series 2011-2018 EGR cooler, Car-Recalls, UK recall BMW 2 Series Active Tourer 2014-2018, Gebrauchtwagenberater, B47 known problems and recalls

Turbocharger damage

Cause. Moisture in the clean-air pipe can freeze in cold weather. Turbo damage is reported mainly on cars used at low outside temperatures.

Which cars. All B47 engines. Turbo faults show up at over 200,000 km.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, B47 known problems and recalls, Gebrauchtwagenberater, BMW 3er G20/G21 problems, ZR, BMW 3 Series G20 faults

EGR valve clogging

Cause. Soot and carbon deposits build up on the EGR valve. Cars that spend a lot of time in traffic jams are the ones named most.

Which cars. All B47 engines.

Sources: Gebrauchtwagenberater, BMW 5er F10/F11 problems, ZR, BMW 3 Series G20 faults

Injector wear

Cause. The high-pressure fuel injectors (common rail) wear out. They last 150,000-200,000 km only on good-quality diesel.

Which cars. All B47 engines.

Cost. No confirmed price. New injectors are described as expensive.

Sources: ZR, BMW 3 Series G20 faults, Gebrauchtwagenberater, BMW 3er G20/G21 problems

DPF wear

Cause. The diesel particulate filter (DPF) collects soot from the exhaust. It lasts about 250,000 km, and longer if the car does more highway driving.

Which cars. All B47 engines.

Sources: ZR, BMW 3 Series G20 faults, Gebrauchtwagenberater, BMW 3er G20/G21 problems

Recalls

Country Code Years or build range What is done
UK R/2022/206 3 Series built 2011-2018; 5 Series built 2012-2017 EGR cooler module replaced
UK R/2022/255 1 Series built 2015-2018; 3 Series built 2014-2018; 5 Series G30 built 2016-2020 Engine software updated (EGR leak detection and OBD functions)
UK R/2023/172 2 Series Active Tourer built 2014-2018; X1 built 2018 Warning letter, then EGR cooler replaced
Germany BMW 0011530600, KBA 008124 Notice in 2022; model years 2010-2022 in the 2024 extension Cooler checked, replaced if leaking
Germany KBA 0011370700 Mini models built 2013-2019; engine not stated Cooler checked, replaced with an optimised part if needed
Not stated Not given 3 Series built 2023-2025 (starter-generator connection); engine not stated Not stated
Germany KBA 16790R 3 Series G20, 5 Series G30 and X3 G01 built 2020-2026; engine not stated Not stated

Check the VIN for other open campaigns.

Maintenance

  • Recalls. Check the VIN for open campaigns. Get the EGR cooler checked if one is open.
  • Soot. Heavy traffic clogs the EGR valve. More highway driving helps the DPF last longer.
  • Fuel. Injectors last 150,000-200,000 km only on good-quality diesel.

Sources

English

German

Russian