Carsieve At a glance
- What it is: BMW 3.0 six-cylinder diesel, built 2008 to 2020. Codes N57D30A, N57D30B, N57D30 and N57D30C. Found in the 3, 5, 6 and 7 Series, X3, X5 and X6.
- Main faults: the crankshaft vibration damper (the pulley on the front of the crank) can fail and damage the bottom end (crankshaft and bearings). The timing chain stretches. The EGR cooler (exhaust gas recirculation cooler) leaks coolant, and it is under recall.
- Reliability: 2/5. A chain job means an engine-out repair, and a failed chain can end the engine.
- DIY: 1/5. The chain needs the engine or gearbox out.
- Prefer: a car with proof of the EGR cooler recall work, a chain inspection or job record, and regular oil changes. Avoid: a cold-start rattle, and a six-cylinder from the recall build years with no recall proof.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crankshaft vibration damper failure | All N57 engines | 100,000-150,000 km | No confirmed price |
| Timing chain stretch and wear | All N57 engines | More than 200,000 km | No confirmed price |
| EGR cooler leaks and recall | All N57 engines in the recall build range (sources disagree on the range) | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Swirl flap and intake manifold carbon | All N57 engines | About 100,000 km (cleaning advice) | No confirmed price |
| EGR valve clogging | All N57 engines | About 100,000 km | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- Chain (cold-start test, invoice). Listen for a rattle on a cold start. Ask for a chain job invoice. Bad: a rattle, or no chain record past 100,000 km.
- Damper (look under the pulley). Check the rubber ring of the crankshaft pulley for cracks or a loose ring. Ask for a damper replacement receipt. Bad: visible cracks, or no record on a car over 100,000 km.
- EGR recall (check the VIN). Check the VIN with a BMW dealer or the KBA recall list (reference 008124). Bad: an open campaign, or a cooler replaced with no record.
- Swirl flaps and intake (ask for records). Ask whether the intake was cleaned and the flaps checked. Bad: no record at about 100,000 km, or a flap removed with no proof.
- EGR and flap faults (scanner needed). Read the fault memory for EGR or swirl flap errors. Bad: any such error, or the engine warning light.
- Oil history (paperwork). Check the service book for regular oil changes. Bad: long gaps between oil changes.
Models with this engine
| Brand | Model | Generation | Production years | Power | Engine codes | ADAC versions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMW | 3er-Reihe | E90/E91/E92/E93 | 2008–2010 | 245 PS (180 kW) | N57D30A | 12 |
| BMW | 3er-Reihe | E90/E91/E92/E93 facelift | 2008–2014 | 204–245 PS (150–180 kW) | N57D30A | 82 |
| BMW | 3er-Reihe | F30/F31/F34/F80 | 2012–2016 | 258–313 PS (190–230 kW) | N57D30A, N57D30B | 87 |
| BMW | 3er-Reihe | F30/F31/F34/F80 facelift | 2015–2020 | 258–313 PS (190–230 kW) | N57D30A, N57D30B | 127 |
| BMW | 4er-Reihe | F32/F33/F36/F82/F83 | 2013–2017 | 258–313 PS (190–230 kW) | N57D30A, N57D30B | 56 |
| BMW | 4er-Reihe | F32/F33/F36/F82/F83 facelift | 2017–2020 | 258–313 PS (190–230 kW) | N57D30A, N57D30B | 116 |
| BMW | 5er-Reihe | F07/F10/F10M/F11 | 2009–2013 | 204–381 PS (150–280 kW) | N57D30A, N57D30B, N57D30C | 37 |
| BMW | 5er-Reihe | F07/F10/F10M/F11 facelift | 2013–2017 | 258–381 PS (190–280 kW) | N57D30A, N57D30B, N57D30C | 50 |
| BMW | 6er-Reihe | F06/F12/F13 | 2011–2014 | 313 PS (230 kW) | N57D30 | 6 |
| BMW | 6er-Reihe | F06/F12/F13 facelift | 2015–2018 | 313 PS (230 kW) | N57D30 | 24 |
| BMW | 7er-Reihe | F01/F02 | 2008–2012 | 245–306 PS (180–225 kW) | N57D30A, N57D30B | 8 |
| BMW | 7er-Reihe | F01/F02 facelift | 2012–2015 | 258–381 PS (190–280 kW) | N57D30A, N57D30B, N57D30C | 27 |
| BMW | X3 | F25 | 2011–2014 | 258–313 PS (190–230 kW) | N57D30A, N57D30B | 2 |
| BMW | X3 | F25 facelift | 2014–2017 | 258–313 PS (190–230 kW) | N57D30A, N57D30B | 10 |
| BMW | X4 | F26 | 2014–2018 | 258–313 PS (190–230 kW) | N57D30A, N57D30B | 10 |
| BMW | X5 | E70 facelift | 2010–2013 | 245–381 PS (180–280 kW) | N57D30A, N57D30B, N57D30C | 9 |
| BMW | X5 | F15/F85 | 2013–2018 | 258–381 PS (190–280 kW) | N57D30A, N57D30B, N57D30C | 24 |
| BMW | X6 | F16/F86 | 2014–2019 | 258–381 PS (190–280 kW) | N57D30A, N57D30B, N57D30C | 19 |
In detail
Crankshaft vibration damper failure
Symptoms. The rubber ring of the damper cracks or tears apart. Noise from the front of the engine can come first.
Cause. The damper is a rubber ring on the crank pulley. It damps vibration. When the ring tears, the vibration can reach the crank and the bearings.
Which cars. All N57 engines. Sources do not split this by model.
Fix. Replace the damper, and check the belt and pulleys. Garages warn that a failed damper can crack the crankshaft.
Cost. No confirmed price.
Sources: otoba.ru, N57 overview, motorist.expert, N57D30 family, PistonHeads, N57 bad rattle
Timing chain stretch and wear
Symptoms. A metal rattle on a cold start. The rattle can come back under load. The engine warning light can come on.
Cause. The chain stretches with age. The tensioner can fail, and then the chain can break. The chain sits at the flywheel end of the engine.
Which cars. All N57 engines.
Fix. The chain is replaced with its tensioner and guide rails. The engine or gearbox must come out, so this is a large job.
Life. Two Russian garage sites say the chain lasts more than 200,000 km.
Sources: CarWiki, BMW N57 engine, otoba.ru, N57 overview, motorist.expert, N57D30 family
EGR cooler leaks and recall
Symptoms. The EGR cooler leaks coolant inside. The coolant can mix with soot and melt parts of the intake manifold. Auto Motor und Sport calls a fire a very rare result.
Cause. The EGR cooler sends exhaust gas back to the intake to cut emissions. Over time the cooler can leak coolant internally.
Which cars. The recall covers BMW six-cylinder diesels, which means the N57 in this period. The German sources give different build years. Autohaus.de says August 2010 to January 2017. Auto Motor und Sport says July 2012 to June 2015. gebrauchtwagenberater.de says August 2010 to August 2017. Check the VIN.
Fix. The EGR cooler is replaced with a part from another supplier, even if the leak test is clean. Autohaus.de says the intake manifold is checked, and any faulty part replaced. A newer cooler has been built since 2022.
Cost. No confirmed price.
Sources: Auto Motor und Sport, EGR recall, Autohaus.de, EGR recall, gebrauchtwagenberater.de, N57 problems, NHTSA, bulletin 21V-907
Swirl flap and intake manifold carbon
Symptoms. Soot builds up on the swirl flaps (intake flaps) and they stop moving. Fault codes follow, and the engine can lose power.
Cause. Exhaust soot and carbon coat the flaps and the intake manifold. The flaps then stick.
Which cars. All N57 engines.
Fix. The intake manifold is removed and cleaned. Garages say the flaps can be removed and blanked, and the ECU then needs a reflash. otoba.ru says the intake should be cleaned every 100,000 km.
Cost. No confirmed price.
Sources: otoba.ru, N57 overview, motorist.expert, N57D30 family, E90-Forum, N57 problems
EGR valve clogging
Symptoms. The EGR valve clogs with soot and carbon. Press advises cleaning it before it causes wider damage.
Cause. Soot and carbon deposits block the valve.
Which cars. All N57 engines. motorist.expert says it often clogs by about 100,000 km.
Fix. Clean the valve. Some owners block the EGR and reflash the ECU. gebrauchtwagenberater.de calls disabling the EGR illegal.
Cost. No confirmed price.
Sources: gebrauchtwagenberater.de, N57 problems, CarWiki, BMW N57 engine, motorist.expert, N57D30 family
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years or build range | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 008124 | Six-cylinder: August 2010 to January 2017 (Autohaus.de), July 2012 to June 2015 (Auto Motor und Sport), or August 2010 to August 2017 (gebrauchtwagenberater.de). Extended 2018, 2020 and 2024. | EGR cooler replaced with a part from another supplier. Intake manifold checked. |
US recalls 18V-755 and 21V-907 cover the same cooler fault on US cars. They confirm the fault, but they are not European campaigns. Check the VIN for open campaigns.
Maintenance
- Intake and swirl flaps: clean the intake about every 100,000 km, according to otoba.ru.
Sources
English
German
- Auto Motor und Sport, EGR recall
- Autohaus.de, EGR recall
- gebrauchtwagenberater.de, N57 problems
- CarWiki, BMW N57 engine
- E90-Forum, N57 problems