BMW 318d (E90) engine: which one, problems and replacement

The BMW 318d in the fifth 3 Series saloon generation (E90, built 2005–2012) was built with one engine, the N47D20C: a 2.0 L diesel inline-4 with 143 hp.

This guide tells you which engine your 318d has, what goes wrong with it, what a replacement costs from our stock and what else to plan for when you fit one.

• Generation: fifth 3 Series saloon, 2005–2012
• Body styles: E90 (saloon)
• Engines: N47D20C
• Output: 143 hp
• Replacement engines in stock: 370 from 781,00 €

Which engine is in your 318d?

N47D20C in the 318d

The N47D20C was used in the E90 318d, built 2007–2015. It is a 2.0 L turbocharged diesel inline-4 with 143 hp and 320 Nm.

Reading the code: N marks an N-series code, the generation of BMW engines introduced from 2001; 47 is the family number; D stands for diesel; 20 is the capacity in decilitres, so 2.0 litres; C identifies the version or output stage.

318d engines by model year

The 318d kept the same engine for the whole E90 run, which makes ordering simple: any unit with the same code fits, subject to the gearbox, drive type and sump.

Other cars with the same engine as the 318d

A replacement engine does not have to come from another 318d. These models left the factory with the same engine code, so a unit from any of them is a candidate donor once the sump, mounts and ancillaries are matched to your car.

N47D20C: BMW F30 318d, BMW E84 X1 18d.

How to confirm your engine code

The 318d only used the N47D20C, but the exact version can still change with the build date, gearbox and market. Send us the last seven characters of the VIN and we read the engine code from BMW's records, or look for the code stamped on the block. How to find your BMW engine code.

Known 318d engine problems

The N47D20C in the 318d shares the known weak points of the N47 family. Full N47 guide.

Timing chain. The timing chain stretches and in the worst case breaks, causing major engine damage. Engines built before 2011 are most affected.

Swirl flaps. Swirl flaps can stick or break.

EGR cooler. The EGR cooler can leak coolant; BMW issued a recall for some cars.

Diesel particulate filter. The DPF clogs on short-trip cars.

Injectors. Injectors leak or fail.

Symptoms to watch for on the 318d

Rattle for a few seconds after a cold start. The classic sign of a weak timing chain tensioner or stretched chain. It must be checked quickly: a chain that jumps a tooth can bend valves.

Rattle or whine from the gearbox end. On engines with the timing chain at the rear, a rattle or whine from the back of the engine is the warning sign of chain stretch or guide wear.

Whistle, loss of boost or limp mode. A split charge pipe, a sticking wastegate or worn turbo bearings. Check the pipes first, then the turbo shaft for play.

Black smoke under acceleration. Too much fuel for the air available: boost leaks, a sticking EGR valve, a dirty air mass meter or a leaking injector.

Hard starting when cold. Glow plugs or the glow plug control unit. On older diesels, also check the injection pump and fuel lines for air leaks.

Particulate filter warning. Short trips stop the DPF from regenerating. A long motorway run often clears it; a filter that keeps blocking may be covering an injector, EGR or turbo problem.

Sudden metallic noise followed by misfire. On diesels with swirl flaps, a broken flap or screw can enter a cylinder. Stop the engine immediately; continued running usually destroys the piston and head.

Looking after the 318d engine

• Oil: 5W-30 BMW Longlife-04, about 5.25 litres.
• Service interval: Oil every 10,000 to 15,000 km.
• Timing drive: Timing chain at the rear (gearbox end).
• Workshop notes: Replace the timing chain and guides when fitting a used N47 unless they were recently done.

Buying a used engine for the 318d: checklist

1. Look at the oil and coolant. Clean oil without metal particles and coolant without oil are good signs. Milky oil, oily coolant or a burnt smell mean the engine needs further checks before it is fitted.
2. Gearbox and flywheel match. Manual and automatic engines differ at the flywheel or flexplate, and sometimes at the crankshaft spigot. Make sure the engine you buy matches your gearbox or that you transfer the right parts.
3. Photographs from every side. Good suppliers photograph the actual engine you will receive. Look for the block stamp, the sump, the timing cover and any broken brackets or connectors in the pictures.
4. Sump, oil pickup and drive variants. Rear-drive, xDrive and front-drive cars can use different sumps, oil pickups and engine mounts even with the same engine code. Check that the sump matches your subframe and front axle.
5. Why your old engine failed. Before fitting a replacement, find out why the original failed. An overheating radiator, a blocked intercooler or a failed turbo can destroy a second engine if they are not fixed.
6. Turbocharger shaft play and oil. Rotate the compressor wheel by hand. A small amount of side play is normal; in-and-out play or wheel contact with the housing is not. Oil pooled in the intake or intercooler pipes points to worn seals.
7. Injector correction values. On a diesel that can be run before removal, the injector correction values show whether one injector is delivering more or less fuel than the others. Large deviations mean an injector is on its way out.
8. Particulate filter and EGR history. Short-trip diesels clog their DPF and EGR systems. The engine may be fine, but ask whether the donor car had DPF warnings, and plan to clean or check your own filter before fitting.
9. Swirl flaps. Check whether the swirl flaps are in place, blanked or removed. Broken swirl flaps are a known cause of engine failure on several BMW diesels, so many owners fit blanking plates when the intake is off.
10. Timing chain noise. Listen for a rattle at the front of the engine for the first seconds after a cold start. On an engine that cannot be run, look at the chain guides through the oil filler or with the valve cover off.
11. Gearbox-end timing chain. On this engine the timing chain sits at the gearbox end, so replacing it normally means removing the engine. If the chain has not been replaced, the time to do it is before the engine goes into your car.

BMW 318d replacement engine cost

Across 370 318d engine units in our stock today, prices start at 781,00 € and reach 4.558,00 €. The median — the price in the middle of the range — is 1.887,00 €.

Prices depend on the exact version, the donor's mileage, how complete the engine is and the demand for that code. Higher-output versions, low mileage and dressed engines with turbo, injectors and ancillaries cost more; long blocks and higher mileage cost less.

318d engine prices by model year

Engines from 2005–2009 have a median of 2.424,00 €, while units from 2020–2024 sit at 2.054,00 €. Newer engines usually cost more because they come from younger donor cars with lower mileage and later updates.

318d engine prices by mileage

Mileage matters less than history on a well-maintained BMW engine, but it is a useful guide. A low-mileage unit from a younger car gives you more life for a modest premium.

9 of these come from E90 donor cars, priced from 934,00 € to 3.700,00 €. An engine from the same body is the most direct swap because the sump, mounts and ancillaries already match.

On top of the engine, budget for the workshop's labour and the parts that are best replaced while the engine is out: engine mounts, the rear main seal, cooling parts, a clutch or converter seal, fluids and filters.

Replacement engines in stock for the 318d

Here is a selection of 318d engines currently on our shelves, photographed in the yard. Click any of them for the full photographs, mileage and specification.

BMW E90 320d N47D20C Engine 2010934,00 €BMW E90 318d N47D20C Engine 20111.358,00 €BMW 320d E90 N47D20C Engine 20071.543,00 €BMW 318d E90 N47D20C Engine 2008 · 238,000 km3.700,00 €BMW E90 318d N47D20C Complete Engine1.004,00 €BMW 320d E90 N47D20C Engine 2005 · 139,000 km1.310,00 €BMW 320d E90 N47D20C Engine 20102.792,00 €N47D20C Engine For Sale BMW 320d E902.633,00 €BMW E90 320d N47D20C Engine 20111.185,00 €

BMW E90 320d N47D20C Engine 2010 — 934,00 €, reduced from 1.250,00 €. It comes from a 2010 donor car, and 26 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E90 318d N47D20C Engine 2011 — 1.358,00 €, reduced from 2.000,00 €. It comes from a 2011 donor car, and 29 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW 320d E90 N47D20C Engine 2007 — 1.543,00 €, reduced from 2.400,00 €. It comes from a 2007 donor car, and 5 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW 318d E90 N47D20C Engine 2008 · 238,000 km — 3.700,00 €, reduced from 4.200,00 €. It comes from a 2008 donor car with 238,000 km, and 10 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E90 318d N47D20C Complete Engine — 1.004,00 €, reduced from 1.600,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 22 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW 320d E90 N47D20C Engine 2005 · 139,000 km — 1.310,00 €, reduced from 1.900,00 €. It comes from a 2005 donor car with 139,000 km, and 16 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW 320d E90 N47D20C Engine 2010 — 2.792,00 €, reduced from 3.150,00 €. It comes from a 2010 donor car, and 23 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

N47D20C Engine For Sale BMW 320d E90 — 2.633,00 €, reduced from 2.900,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 29 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E90 320d N47D20C Engine 2011 — 1.185,00 €, reduced from 1.700,00 €. It comes from a 2011 donor car, and 19 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

Will it fit my 318d?

Will the N47D20C fit my BMW E90 318d?

The N47D20C is the original engine for the BMW E90 318d, which makes it the straightforward choice. The fifth 3 Series saloon was built 2005–2012, and the N47D20C was produced 2007–2015, so check that your car's build date falls inside that window. Confirm the drive type (rear-drive or xDrive), the gearbox (manual or automatic) and the emissions standard, because these can change the sump, the flywheel and the software. Send us the VIN and we check all of it for you.

How much is a replacement engine for a BMW E90 318d?

We have 9 N47D20C engines from E90 donor cars, priced from 934,00 € to 3.700,00 €. Delivery to your door is included, and the engine carries a 12-month warranty when fitted by a qualified workshop. Add fitting labour and the parts you replace at the same time — seals, cooling parts and mounts — to estimate the total.

Engine swaps and upgrades for the 318d

These engines were fitted to other versions of the E90 at the factory, which makes them the most practical upgrades: the body was designed around them and many parts are shared.

Can I fit the N46B20 in my 318d?

It is a full conversion: the N46B20 runs on petrol and the N47D20C on diesel, so the fuel system, wiring, engine control unit, instrument coding and usually the gearbox change too. The gain is 7 hp and 0 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Can I fit the N43B20 in my 318d?

It is a full conversion: the N43B20 runs on petrol and the N47D20C on diesel, so the fuel system, wiring, engine control unit, instrument coding and usually the gearbox change too. The gain is 27 hp and 0 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Can I fit the N45B20S in my 318d?

It is a full conversion: the N45B20S runs on petrol and the N47D20C on diesel, so the fuel system, wiring, engine control unit, instrument coding and usually the gearbox change too. The gain is 30 hp and 0 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Fitting a replacement engine in the 318d

1. Inspect or replace the timing chain parts. Look at the guides and tensioner. On high-mileage engines, replacing them now costs far less than doing it later.
2. Replace the rear timing chain if in doubt. On engines with the chain at the gearbox end, chain work needs the engine out. If the history is unknown, replace the chain, guides and tensioner before fitting.
3. Prepare the turbo. Fit new oil feed and return seals, clean the intercooler and pipes of any oil or debris from the old engine, and prime the turbo with oil before starting.
4. Code the injectors and bleed the fuel. Enter the injector correction codes into the ECU, check the glow plugs and bleed the fuel system so the engine does not crank dry.
5. Check the particulate filter. If the old engine failed with oil or coolant entering the exhaust, the DPF may be contaminated. Check its back-pressure before relying on it.
6. Fill with the right oil and prime it. Fill with new oil of the correct specification and a new filter. Crank with the fuel and ignition disabled until oil pressure builds.
7. Coding and adaptations. On modern BMWs, the engine ECU must be matched to the car's immobiliser (CAS, FEM or BDC). Reset adaptations, register the battery and clear faults with diagnostic software.
8. First start and leak check. Start the engine, let it idle and watch oil pressure, temperature and fault codes. Check for leaks and bleed the cooling system.
9. First 1,000 km. Drive gently for the first few hundred kilometres, vary the engine speed and avoid full load. Change the oil and filter after about 1,000 km to remove any assembly debris.

The full fitting and first-start procedure.

Delivery, warranty and payment

Every 318d engine we sell is drained, sealed at each opening, strapped to a heat-treated pallet and shrink-wrapped before it leaves Hamburg. You receive photographs of the packed engine and a tracking number.

Door-to-door delivery is included to the address you give at checkout. Typical delivery takes three to five working days within Germany and neighbouring countries and five to ten working days to the rest of Europe and the UK.

Every engine carries a 12-month warranty on eligible internal failure when a qualified workshop fits it with new fluids and filters. Payment is by card, bank transfer or crypto; your invoice is emailed as soon as you order.

All E90 engines · N47 engine guide · BMW 318d engines for sale · Send us your VIN