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Which is the best BMW diesel engine?

Author

Jessica Burns

Published Feb 23, 2026

Which is the best BMW diesel engine?

The BMW 125d M Sport is the most expensive diesel 1 Series in Europe, but it's also the most powerful and therefor the most fun. If it's the most fun diesel powered 1 Series, which is one of the most fun BMWs on the market, then it's one of the best diesels in the Bavarian stable.

Just so, are BMW diesel engines reliable?

BMW 3 liter diesel engines are bulletproof. They are very reliable and have great fuel economy. The N57 has timing chain issues too!

Beside above, how long do BMW diesel engines last? A report from Automotive News quotes Frohlich declaring that the diesel engine still has at least 20 more years, and the gasoline engine, at least 30 years.

Thereof, which BMW engine is the best?

Best BMW Engines Of All-Time

  1. S70/2 (6.1 Liter Naturally Aspirated V12)
  2. M88 (3.5 Liter Naturally Aspirated I6)
  3. S65 (4.0 Liter Naturally Aspirated V8)
  4. S63 (4.4 Liter Twin Turbocharged V8)
  5. S55 (3.0 Liter Twin Turbocharged I6)

Are BMW engines reliable?

BMWs are performance, luxury vehicles, and they are meant to be maintained well and owners should stick to the maintenance schedule on newer models. On the otherhand, BMW engines are amazingly reliable when they are properly maintained. BMW maintenance gets most owners on the little stuff.

What is the most reliable BMW engine?

The most reliable modern BMW I can think of would be the E90 chassis, specifically the 2008–2011 328i Sedan or 2008–2013 E92 328i Coupe. The N52 engines found in these cars are pretty much bulletproof as modern BMWs go.

Should I buy a diesel BMW?

By some estimates, diesel engines are 30 percent more efficient than their gas counterparts. This makes them a particularly good choice for drivers who must deal with long daily commutes. When you're tired of frequent stops at the fuel pump, you should consider a BMW model with a diesel engine.

Does BMW still make diesel cars?

If you fancy a new, diesel-powered BMW, better act fast. The German automaker will likely cease diesel vehicle sales in the US after the 2018 model year. One of the most popular diesel-powered US-spec BMWs has been the X5 SUV. But when the new 2019 X5 launches this fall, it'll be a gasoline-only affair.

Are diesel engines reliable?

Both Gasoline and Diesel engines are extremely reliable if you take care of them and you do the service checks on time. It simply depends on how much you drive, where you drive, and how you drive.

Is BMW 535d reliable?

BMW 535d Repair in Austin
The BMW 535d is the perfect testament to the reliability of a diesel engine. Other than the recall mentioned above there have been very few repairs reported. The most common BMW 535d repairs in Austin are: Thermostat failure.

Are turbo diesels reliable?

Turbocharged gasoline engines are getting close to the maintenance costs of turbocharged Diesel engines, but they're still easier to maintain. Both Gasoline and Diesel engines are extremely reliable if you take care of them and you do the service checks on time.

What cars have n47 engines?

The N47 engine debuted in March 2007 in the facelifted 1 Series BMW E87 and E81 and was available in the 1 Series BMW E82 and E88, which were introduced later in the same year. The engine is a four-cylinder common rail diesel engine that has many improvements over its predecessor, the M47.

What year BMW is most reliable?

most reliable 3-series BMW goes to the e36. 325i and that is equipped with a manual gearbox. so that run would be in the 1991 to 1995 years and was actually a very sporting car in its day still to this day it has a very spunky engine with a hundred and eighty nine horsepower in a manual gearbox.

How long do BMW engines last?

BMW engines can and will run into the 200k miles range as long as you maintain them above BMW standards. I've seen an E30 325 with 280k miles and the engine was all original. It is possible as long as you do the proper maintence, its the electronic stuff that wont last that long.

Why is a BMW so expensive?

Basically, BMW cars are more luxurious because you're paying for exclusivity. The more high-class (fewer models sold) the car, the more the automaker has to charge each buyer for their design, development, and assembly costs. This also the reason that BMW cars are more expensive as compared to other luxurious cars.

Is the BMW m6 faster than the m5?

I have also driven both an M5 and M6 at VIR, and the M6 was much more capable on the track, and the aerodynamics allow the M6 to have a higher top speed than the M5 if there is no electronic limit.

Who makes engines for BMW?

In July Force Motors, maker of vans, tractors and auto parts, opened a factory close to the southern Indian city of Chennai to assemble and test engines exclusively for BMW cars and sport utility vehicles. Built for $30 million, the plant can churn out 20,000 engines annually. Chairman Abhay Firodia (No.

How much does it cost to replace a BMW engine?

Many BMW engines are in the $3,000-range. Some mid-1990s Honda engines can be replaced for several hundred dollars. A 1990s-model Dodge pickup engine is listed for $1,200. All figures are as of 2010.

How good is BMW n52 engine?

BMW's N52 engine is one of its most successful, and most produced inline-6 engines. The N52 was predominately found in the E90 325i, 328i and 330i, and the E60 525i and 528i models, as well as various others such as the 128i, X1, and Z4 to name a few. The engine even won top 10 best engines in both 2006 and 2007.

Is Audi better than BMW?

Audis have better fit and finish than BMWs as well as better designed user interfaces. BMW wins hands down. Audi shares the same front wheel platform with other VW group cars. BMW develops its own rear wheel drive platforms which are much more fun to drive than Audi's.

Is 200k miles alot for a diesel?

Generally speaking, diesel trucks are sold with higher mileage than the typical used vehicle. It is not uncommon to see a used diesel truck for sale with over 200,000 miles on it. Granted, diesel engines typically have better reliability than a gasoline equivalent, but high mileage remains a concern.

Why is BMW bad?

BMWs get a bad reputation for reliability and quite unfairly. BMW cars, though, are much more reliable than some would let you believe. The thing with BMW, and any premium car for that matter, is that they require maintenance. If you want to own a BMW you're going to have to take care of it as if it were a child.

Why BMW depreciate so fast?

There are many reasons here, but it is not just limited to BMWs. Almost all high-volume German-made cars depreciate relatively quickly. The main reason is related to the fact that the German government mandates the use of natural, biodegradable rubber in almost every part of the car.

Is a high mileage BMW worth buying?

A high mileage BMW is a BMW that someone else really liked (or it wouldn't be high mileage), and decided to get rid of before it became a bigger pain than it was worth. If you do a lot of the work yourself, they're probably just fine, but if you're having a shop do work, it's likely to be really quite expensive.

How many miles is good for a used BMW?

High-mileage cars and low-mileage cars are not necessarily polar opposites. In general, it's a good idea to assume the typical driver puts on about 12,000 miles per year, which can be a good guideline for determining the value of a prospective used car.

What are common problems with BMW?

Below, we dive into some of the top common problems with BMW cars.
  • Steering Wheel Vibrates When Applying Brakes. BMW cars look sporty and speed away when you put your foot on the gas.
  • Oil Leaks.
  • Power Steering Leak.
  • Sputtering.
  • Stiff Windows.
  • Alternator Bracket Seal Failure.
  • Electronic Problems.
  • Coolant Leak.

Why is BMW so unreliable?

If you don't, things can go wrong. If you keep on top of its maintenance, a BMW can theoretically last a long time – perhaps forever. But as we've pointed out, it's the little stuff that can often bring a BMW down. And it's this that frustrates buyers and which contributes to its reputation as an unreliable car maker.

Should I buy a BMW with 100k miles?

High miles is no real problem especially for a BMW but saying that the car has to have been looked after well and regularly serviced with some if not full service history but most components do need replacement after 100000 miles on BMW cars so make sure to do thorough checks on one around that mileage.

Is buying a used BMW a bad idea?

When purchasing a used BMW, it's important to be aware of the depreciation. BMWs can be more expensive to maintain than non-luxury cars and older model parts can be hard to come by. Remember, luxury vehicles, no matter the year, require higher quality gasoline, oil, and tires than most other vehicles.

Why are used BMWs so cheap?

Used BMWs are cheap because they depreciate significantly faster than most other cars.

Is it worth buying a BMW?

If you look at a BMW as being more than just a car, then yes, they are worth it. Even if it breaks at your expense. If its just another object of transportation in your eyes, then no, why spend so much money when a Suzuki or Chevrolet can do the same thing your BMW can do.

Why are German cars so unreliable?

Some of the answers that you've received here are exactly why German luxury cars are so unreliable: because the buyers don't care. All cars will need repairs at some point, but the frequency with which some German cars need repairs is problematic. First off, even the less-powerful German cars have higher running costs.

What makes BMW so good?

BMW serves purely as a status symbol for some, while for others it's a belief in the mantra “The Ultimate Driving Machine” and philosophy of high revving engines. With that in mind, some are not only attracted to the BMW brand just because they produce great cars, but also because of their way of doing things.

Is BMW expensive to maintain?

Owning a car can be pretty expensive beyond the price of the vehicle itself. According to their data, BMWs were the most expensive to maintain by far, with a 10-year cost of $17,800. They found the luxury brands were the most expensive in general, but many budget vehicles ranked high, too.