MT Auto Parts Blog | Expert Tips for BMW enthusiasts on BMW Parts, Accessories, Engines and More

Photo by Rana Singh on Unsplash The BMW B47 diesel is one of the more important engines in the current used BMW market. It powers more models than almost any other unit in BMW's lineup, from the entry-level 318d to the X5 30d. Most buyers know the B47 as 'the diesel that replaced the N47 and fixed the timing chain problem.' That's accurate as far as it goes, but there's more to the B47 story, and the B47TU (Technical Update) is a significant revision that many owners don't know they have. This guide covers which cars have the standard B47, which have the B47TU, what changed between them, what goes wrong on each, and whether the reliability improvements are as meaningful as BMW claims. B47 vs B47TU: What's the Difference? The original B47 (2014–2018) BMW introduced the B47 in 2014 as the direct replacement for the N47 diesel. The headline improvement was the timing chain, moved from the rear of the engine to the front, making it significantly cheaper and easi...

  Image: BMW B47C20B complete engine with just 50K miles for sale at MT Auto Parts for £3,199.99 The B47 is BMW's answer to one of its own mistakes. When the N47 diesel developed a reputation for catastrophic timing chain failures, chains snapping at the back of the engine, behind the flywheel, turning reliable diesel cars into very expensive paperweights, BMW went back to the drawing board. The B47 engine arrived in 2014. It moved the timing chain to the front of the engine, where it belongs. It improved fuel efficiency. It met Euro 6 emissions standards. And it built a reputation as one of the better modern diesel engines in its class. That reputation is mostly deserved. But the B47 is not without its own problems, and some of them are serious enough that anyone buying a used car with one fitted should know about them before handing over any money. This guide covers what actually goes wrong, when, and what it costs to fix. What the B47 Is and Where It's Fitted The B47 is a 2...

  Photo by Christian Wiediger on Unsplash The BMW F30 3 Series, built from 2012 to 2019, is one of the most popular used BMWs on the road in the UK, and for good reason. It looks good, drives well, and covers serious mileage when maintained properly. But like any car with age and miles behind it, the F30 has a handful of well-known weak spots. None of them is surprising if you know what to look for. Here’s the honest guide to the BMW F30's most common problems and what they actually mean for you as an owner. 1. Timing Chain — The Big One for Early Cars This is the problem most F30 owners hear about first, and it’s worth taking seriously, particularly on early diesel models. F30 diesel (320d, 318d): the N47 engine F30 diesels built before around 2015 use the BMW N47 engine , which has a rear-mounted timing chain with a well-documented history of premature wear. The chain sits behind the engine, next to the gearbox, which makes access difficult and replacement expensive. Warning sign...