BMW N47 2.0 diesel (116d to 520d, Mini Cooper D): problems, costs and what to check

A workable diesel with a costly timing chain weak spot, so buy only with chain proof and check the EGR recall.

Updated 26 October 2026

At a glance

What it is: BMW 2.0 and 1.6 four-cylinder diesel, built 2007 to 2015 (N47D20C, N47D20D, N47D16A), and the Mini N47C16A and N47C20A. Found in the 1, 3 and 5 Series, X1, X3 and Mini R56 and R60. The newer B47 (2014 on) is a different engine.
Main faults: the timing chain stretches and wears, which can ruin the engine. The EGR cooler (exhaust gas cooler) leaks coolant, and the swirl flaps (intake flaps) can break off.
Reliability: 2/5. The chain job is costly and common on 2007 to 2011 builds. Later builds with revised parts carry less risk, not none.
DIY: 1/5. The chain sits at the gearbox end, so the gearbox or engine must come out. Pay a workshop.
Buy: a car with chain invoices, a full oil history and a clean recall check. Avoid: a cold-start rattle, camshaft timing fault codes, and a 2007 to 2011 car with no chain paperwork.

Known issues

Issue	Affects	Typical km	Repair cost
Timing chain stretch and wear	All N47 engines, Mini too; worst on 2007 to 2011 builds	120,000-200,000 km	1,500-2,500 EUR (Germany, year not stated)
EGR cooler leaks and recall	2.0 N47D20 diesels; X3 F25 from 2010	Not stated	No confirmed price
Swirl flaps breaking off	N47 engines	Not stated	No confirmed price

Before you buy

Cold-start rattle (test drive, no scanner). Start the cold engine and listen for a metal rattle at the back of the engine. A rattle that lasts a few seconds is an early warning. Bad: a rattle that stays when warm or under throttle.
Chain job invoice (paperwork). Ask for an invoice for a chain job that includes the tensioners and guide rails. Bad: no invoice on a 2007 to 2011 car. Without one, budget 1,500-2,500 EUR (Germany, year not stated), with the gearbox or engine out.
Timing fault codes (scanner needed). Read the fault memory. Camshaft timing codes, such as P0016 or P0017, point to a stretched chain. Bad: any camshaft timing code or an engine warning light.
EGR recall (check the VIN). Enter the VIN in the KBA or BMW recall check. Recall 14099R covers X3 F25 builds from 2010 to 2014. Bad: an open campaign, or no proof the work was done.
Swirl flaps (scanner needed). Read the fault memory for the engine warning light. Bad: the warning light with lost power.
Oil history (paperwork). Look for oil changes every 10,000 to 15,000 km with BMW LL-04 oil. Bad: long gaps, or only the 30,000 km Longlife interval.
Goodwill (paperwork). Do not count on BMW paying for a chain. Goodwill for chain damage has mostly ended for these builds. Bad: a seller who says BMW will pay.

Models with this engine

Brand	Model	Generation	Production years	Power	Engine codes	ADAC versions
BMW	1er-Reihe	E87	2004–2007	163 PS (120 kW)	N47D20C	4
BMW	1er-Reihe	E81/E87/E82/E88 facelift	2007–2012	115–204 PS (85–150 kW)	N47D20C, N47D20D	88
BMW	1er-Reihe	E82/E88 facelift 2	2011–2013	143–204 PS (105–150 kW)	N47D20C, N47D20D	48
BMW	1er-Reihe	F20/F21	2011–2015	95–218 PS (70–160 kW)	N47D16A, N47D20C, N47D20D	118
BMW	2er-Reihe	F22/F23/F87	2014–2015	143–218 PS (105–160 kW)	N47D20C, N47D20D	29
BMW	3er-Reihe	E90/E91/E92/E93	2005–2010	143–177 PS (105–130 kW)	N47D20C	30
BMW	3er-Reihe	E90/E91/E92/E93 facelift	2008–2014	115–184 PS (85–135 kW)	N47D20C	98
BMW	3er-Reihe	F30/F31/F34/F80	2012–2016	116–218 PS (85–160 kW)	N47D20C, N47D20D	318
BMW	3er-Reihe	F30/F31/F34/F80 facelift	2015–2019	116–218 PS (85–160 kW)	N47D20C, N47D20D	150
BMW	4er-Reihe	F32/F33/F36/F82/F83	2013–2016	143–218 PS (105–160 kW)	N47D20C, N47D20D	88
BMW	5er-Reihe	E60/E61 facelift	2007–2010	163–177 PS (120–130 kW)	N47D20C	40
BMW	5er-Reihe	F07/F10/F10M/F11	2010–2013	184–218 PS (135–160 kW)	N47D20C, N47D20D	19
BMW	5er-Reihe	F07/F10/F10M/F11 facelift	2013–2017	143–218 PS (105–160 kW)	N47D20C, N47D20D	68
BMW	X1	E84	2009–2012	143–204 PS (105–150 kW)	N47D20C, N47D20D	11
BMW	X1	E84 facelift	2012–2015	116–218 PS (85–160 kW)	N47D20C, N47D20D	51
BMW	X3	E83 facelift	2007–2010	143–177 PS (105–130 kW)	N47D20C	20
BMW	X3	F25	2010–2014	143–184 PS (105–135 kW)	N47D20C	6
BMW	X5	F15/F85	2013–2015	218 PS (160 kW)	N47D20D	4
MINI	Countryman	R60	2010–2014	90–143 PS (66–105 kW)	N47C16A, N47C20A	9
MINI	Countryman	R60 facelift	2014–2016	90–143 PS (66–105 kW)	N47C16A, N47C20A	25
MINI	MINI	R56/R57	2009–2010	90 PS (66 kW)	N47C16A	1
MINI	MINI	R56/R57/R58/R59 facelift	2010–2015	90–143 PS (66–105 kW)	N47C16A, N47C20A	36

In detail

Timing chain stretch and wear

Symptoms. A metal rattle on a cold start that lasts a few seconds. Later the rattle stays when warm or under load. The engine warning light can come on. Power and idle fall off. A chain that breaks can destroy the engine.

Cause. The timing chain drives the camshafts. It stretches with age. The hydraulic tensioner loses its grip, and the plastic guide rails wear or break and dissolve in the oil. Sharp sprocket teeth speed up the wear. Late oil changes make it worse.

Which cars. All N47 engines, and the Mini N47C20 too. The highest risk is 2007 to 2011 builds, such as the E90, E87, E60, E84, E83 and Mini R56. BMW revised the tensioner and guide rails from about 2011. That lowers the risk but does not remove it.

Fix. The chain is changed with its tensioners and guide rails. The gearbox or engine has to come out to reach it, so it is a large job. The later BMW tensioner and guide rails are the revised parts.

Cost. Germany, year not stated: 1,500-2,500 EUR for the chain job. BMW goodwill for chain damage ran until about 2013, and it is mostly closed for these builds.

Sources: auto motor und sport, N47 chain problems, AutoScore, N47 engine page, Kfz-Meisterbetrieb Dietrich, N47 chain symptoms, wheelstreet, N47 chain glossary

EGR cooler leaks and recall

Symptoms. Coolant loss from the EGR cooler. Leaking glycol can meet hot soot and raise the fire risk.

Cause. The EGR system feeds exhaust gas back into the intake to cut emissions. Its cooler leaks coolant. The recall covers the cooler and valve together with the hot-film air mass sensor, which measures the air going into the engine.

Which cars. BMW 2.0 diesels, mainly from 2010. Recall 14099R covers the X3 F25 xDrive20d and sDrive18d with N47D20 engines, built 2010 to 2014.

Fix. The recall replaces the EGR cooler with valve, the air mass sensor and sometimes the clean-air pipe. It also cleans the EGR pipe and its temperature sensor, and reprograms the control units.

Revised parts. Not stated.

Cost. No confirmed price in the sources.

Sources: auto motor und sport, KBA recall 14099R, gebrauchtwagenberater, BMW N47 problems, AutoScore, N47 engine page, bimmertoday, BMW N47 tag page

Swirl flaps breaking off

Symptoms. Lost performance and the engine warning light.

Cause. Soot from the EGR system builds up on the swirl flaps and their screws. A flap or screw can break off and get sucked into the engine.

Which cars. N47 engines. The sources do not split this by variant.

Fix. Removing the swirl flaps, with regular maintenance, can help prevent the fault, according to one press report.

Revised parts. Not stated.

Cost. No confirmed price in the sources.

Sources: SlashGear, the worst BMW engine, AutoScore, N47 engine page

Recalls

Country	Code	Years or build range	What is done
Germany	14099R	X3 F25 xDrive20d and sDrive18d, built 2010 to 2014	EGR cooler with valve and air mass sensor replaced, EGR pipe cleaned, control units reprogrammed

Check the VIN for other open campaigns.

Maintenance

Oil: change every 10,000 to 15,000 km. BMW's 30,000 km Longlife interval is named as a cause of chain wear.
Oil spec: BMW LL-04 approved oil, 5W-30. Use the spec in the service book.