BMW 520d
Revised M47 with more power and common-rail injection. Swirl flaps in the intake tract can stick and cause engine damage — regular inspection recommended.
Turbo diesel
Upgraded M47 — stronger, but still a pure daily-driver engine.
Engine Weaknesses 5
The timing chain can stretch or the chain tensioner can fail. Compared to the N47 the M47 is considered more robust, but timing chain problems occur at high mileages and with neglected maintenance.
Symptoms: Rattling on cold start from the front of the engine, easing after warm-up. With heavy stretching, engine damage through chain jump.
The metal swirl flaps in the intake manifold work loose through carbon deposits and can break off. An ingested flap blade causes immediate total damage to valves and pistons.
Symptoms: Engine stumbling, sudden severe power loss, loud metallic noise from engine, engine failure.
The aluminium cylinder head of the M47TU tends to develop hairline cracks between valve seats and glow plug bores at high mileages. The cause is the different thermal expansion coefficient of the aluminium head and cast iron block.
Symptoms: White smoke from exhaust, rising oil level through coolant contamination, coolant loss without visible leakage.
The turbocharger of the M47TUD20 is susceptible to damage through oil starvation or oil sludging. A blocked oil separator increases crankcase back pressure.
Symptoms: Whistling noise under acceleration, power loss especially at higher revs, blue smoke under load
The exhaust gas recirculation valve carbons up over time and no longer opens/closes correctly. The coking accelerates especially with lots of short-trip/city driving.
Symptoms: Power loss, increased fuel consumption, rough idle, fault memory entry EGR.
Vehicle Weaknesses 8
E61 Touring has air suspension as standard. Compressor and air bellows fail frequently — repair costs can exceed the vehicle's value. A new system from BMW costs around 700 € in parts alone.
The optional active steering can rotate the steering wheel up to 90 degrees or lock the steering due to AFS control unit faults. Recalibration or control unit replacement (over 1,000 €) required.
On the E61 Touring with optional air suspension, compressor and air bellows fail regularly. Often both sides at the same time. Rear sags, fault message appears.
Rust bubbles form in the seam between the rear window and boot lid. Occurs even on well-maintained garaged vehicles because moisture gets trapped in the hemmed edge.
The iDrive infotainment system overheats due to a failed cooling fan — system no longer starts or runs with limited function. Fan runs continuously and drains the starter battery.
Aluminium front control arms on the E60/E61 are particularly prone to wear. Regular inspection is necessary as wear affects handling and tyre wear.
Valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket become porous on older E60s. Oil smell in engine bay and visible oil traces. On the M57N2 diesel, crankcase ventilation often also causes oil burning.
Rubber bushings in the rear integral arms wear from around 120,000 km and produce creaking noises. Worn shock absorbers and axle bearings are typical age-related issues.