What Are Common BMW N47 Engine Problems? (And How to Fix Them)
Photo by Александр Бендус on Unsplash The BMW N47 engine is a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that powered an enormous range of BMWs from 2007 to around 2014. You’ll find it in the 1, 2, 3, 5 Series, X1, and X3 as the 116d, 118d, 120d, 316d, 318d, 320d, 520d, and various other diesel badge variants. On paper, it’s a strong engine. Good fuel economy, decent torque from low revs, and responsive enough for everyday driving. In practice, it has some well-documented problems — one of which is serious enough that it’s changed how many people feel about buying a used BMW diesel from this era entirely. This guide goes through every major issue, explains what causes it, what the warning signs are, and what your options are for fixing it. We’ve drawn on owner forum reports, technical service bulletins, and the experience of BMW independent specialists across the UK. N47 Engine Problems at a Glance Problem Severity Most Affected Builds Rear timing chain failure Critical — can d...