BMW 325d (F30) engine: which one, problems and replacement

The BMW 325d in the sixth 3 Series generation (F30, built 2011–2019) was built with one engine, the N47D20T1: a 2.0 L diesel inline-4 with 218 hp.

This guide tells you which engine your 325d has, what goes wrong with it, what a replacement costs from our stock and what else to plan for when you fit one.

• Generation: sixth 3 Series, 2011–2019
• Body styles: F30 (saloon)
• Engines: N47D20T1
• Output: 218 hp
• Replacement engines in stock: 3 from 1.614,00 €

Which engine is in your 325d?

N47D20T1 in the 325d

The N47D20T1 was used in the F30 325d, built 2011–2015. It is a 2.0 L turbocharged diesel inline-4 with 218 hp and 450 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; T1 identifies the version or output stage.

325d engines by model year

The 325d kept the same engine for the whole F30 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 325d

A replacement engine does not have to come from another 325d. 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.

N47D20T1: BMW F20 125d.

How to confirm your engine code

The 325d only used the N47D20T1, 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 325d engine problems

The N47D20T1 in the 325d 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 325d

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 325d 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 325d: checklist

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Warranty terms in writing. Read what the warranty covers, how long it runs and what fitting conditions apply. Most warranties require a qualified workshop, new fluids and filters, and replacement of the cooling parts that caused the original failure.
4. 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.
5. Compression or leak-down figures. Even compression across all cylinders tells you more than mileage. Ask for the figures, not just a pass or fail, and compare the highest and lowest readings: a spread above 10 to 15 percent deserves a question.
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 325d replacement engine cost

We currently hold 3 325d engine engines. The cheapest is 1.614,00 €, the most expensive 1.663,00 €, and half of them cost less than 1.636,00 €.

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.

1 of these come from F30 donor cars, priced from 1.636,00 €. 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 325d

These 325d units are in our Hamburg yard right now. Each listing shows real photographs of the engine you receive, its mileage and what is fitted.

BMW N47D20T1 Engine1.614,00 €BMW F20 125d N47D20T1 Complete Engine1.663,00 €BMW F30 325d N47D20T1 Complete Engine1.636,00 €

BMW N47D20T1 Engine — 1.614,00 €, reduced from 2.200,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 10 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW F20 125d N47D20T1 Complete Engine — 1.663,00 €, reduced from 2.200,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 27 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW F30 325d N47D20T1 Complete Engine — 1.636,00 €, reduced from 2.200,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 24 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

Will it fit my 325d?

Will the N47D20T1 fit my BMW F30 325d?

Yes, the BMW F30 325d left the factory with the N47D20T1, so an N47D20T1 from another car is the direct replacement. The sixth 3 Series was built 2011–2019, and the N47D20T1 was produced 2011–2015, 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 F30 325d?

We have 1 N47D20T1 engine from F30 donor cars, priced from 1.636,00 €. 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 325d

These engines were fitted to other versions of the F30 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 N20B20 in my 325d?

It is a full conversion: the N20B20 runs on petrol and the N47D20T1 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 N26B20 in my 325d?

It is a full conversion: the N26B20 runs on petrol and the N47D20T1 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 B46B20 in my 325d?

It is a full conversion: the B46B20 runs on petrol and the N47D20T1 on diesel, so the fuel system, wiring, engine control unit, instrument coding and usually the gearbox change too. The gain is 40 hp and 0 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Fitting a replacement engine in the 325d

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.

325d engine questions

Will the B47D20T engine fit my BMW F30 325d?

Yes, if your BMW F30 325d was built with the B47D20T. BMW used this 2.0 liter (1,995 cc) diesel engine with 170 kW (231 HP) in the F30 325d from about 2015 to 2022.

In our records the B47D20T is the engine for the F30 325d, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.

Also tell us if your F30 has a manual or an automatic gearbox. The flywheel or the flex plate and some sensors depend on it.

Not sure? Send us your VIN and your gearbox code. We match the engine family, the year window and the parts on the engine before anything is reserved, and the check is free.

See all B47 Engines · Search B47D20T in the shop

Delivery, warranty and payment

Before a 325d engine leaves our Hamburg yard it is drained of oil and coolant, every opening is sealed, and it is strapped to a pallet and wrapped. We send photographs of the packed unit and the tracking details.

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.

A 12-month warranty covers eligible internal failure when the engine is fitted by a qualified workshop with new fluids and filters. You can pay by card, bank transfer or crypto and receive the invoice by email straight away.

All F30 engines · N47 engine guide · BMW 325d engines for sale · Send us your VIN