BMW 520d (E60) engine: which one, problems and replacement

The BMW 520d in the fifth 5 Series generation (E60, built 2003–2010) was built with one engine, the N47D20: a 2.0 L diesel inline-4 with 184 hp.

Below you will find how to identify the engine in your 520d, the faults to look for, current prices for a replacement and the swap options that make sense.

• Generation: fifth 5 Series, 2003–2010
• Body styles: E60 (saloon)
• Engines: N47D20
• Output: 184 hp
• Replacement engines in stock: 3 from 894,00 €

Which engine is in your 520d?

N47D20 in the 520d

The N47D20 was used in the E60 520d, built 2007–2016. It is a 2.0 L turbocharged diesel inline-4 with 184 hp and 380 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.

520d engines by model year

The 520d kept the same engine for the whole E60 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 520d

A replacement engine does not have to come from another 520d. 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.

N47D20: BMW E90 320d, BMW F30 320d, BMW F20 120d, BMW E84 X1 20d, BMW F25 X3 20d.

How to confirm your engine code

The 520d only used the N47D20, 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 520d engine problems

The N47D20 in the 520d 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 520d

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 520d 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 520d: checklist

1. Ask how the donor car was damaged. Most good used engines come from cars with body damage. A front-end impact can crack sensors, the timing cover or the sump; a rear or side impact usually leaves the engine untouched. The yard records the damage on each unit.
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. 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.
4. List of what is fitted. Engines are sold with different ancillaries: some have the turbo, injectors, manifolds, alternator and starter, others are long blocks. Agree the list in writing so you know which parts must come from your old engine.
5. 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.
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 520d replacement engine cost

We currently hold 3 520d engine engines. The cheapest is 894,00 €, the most expensive 3.005,00 €, and half of them cost less than 1.625,00 €.

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.

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 520d

Here is a selection of 520d engines currently on our shelves, photographed in the yard. Click any of them for the full photographs, mileage and specification.

BMW N47D20 Engine1.625,00 €BMW E91 320d N47D20 Engine 2011894,00 €

BMW N47D20 Engine — 1.625,00 €, reduced from 2.200,00 €. It comes from a recorded donor car, and 30 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E91 320d N47D20 Engine 2011 — 894,00 €, reduced from 1.200,00 €. It comes from a 2011 donor car, and 13 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

Will it fit my 520d?

Will the N47D20 fit my BMW E60 520d?

Yes, the BMW E60 520d left the factory with the N47D20, so an N47D20 from another car is the direct replacement. The fifth 5 Series was built 2003–2010, and the N47D20 was produced 2007–2016, 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 E60 520d?

We have 3 N47D20 engines in stock, priced from 894,00 € to 3.005,00 €. 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 520d

These engines were fitted to other versions of the E60 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 N53B25 in my 520d?

It is a full conversion: the N53B25 runs on petrol and the N47D20 on diesel, so the fuel system, wiring, engine control unit, instrument coding and usually the gearbox change too. The gain is 6 hp and 0 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Can I fit the M54B25 in my 520d?

It is a full conversion: the M54B25 runs on petrol and the N47D20 on diesel, so the fuel system, wiring, engine control unit, instrument coding and usually the gearbox change too. The gain is 8 hp and 0 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Can I fit the N52B25 in my 520d?

It is a full conversion: the N52B25 runs on petrol and the N47D20 on diesel, so the fuel system, wiring, engine control unit, instrument coding and usually the gearbox change too. The gain is 34 hp and 0 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Fitting a replacement engine in the 520d

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.

520d engine questions

Will the M47D20TU2 engine fit my BMW E60 520d?

Yes, if your BMW E60 520d was built with the M47D20TU2. BMW used this 2.0 liter (1,995 cc) diesel engine with 120 kW (163 HP) in the E60 520d from about 2001 to 2007.

Some E60 520d cars were built with a different engine: the N47D20A. These look alike from the outside, so check the code on your engine or send us your VIN.

Also tell us if your E60 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 M47 Engines · Search M47D20TU2 in the shop

How much is a replacement M47D20TU2 engine for a BMW E60 520d?

A used M47D20TU2 for the BMW E60 520d costs from about 1.050 € to 1.850 € in our yard. The price depends on the year, the mileage and the parts that come with the engine.

Shipping is a flat 249 € per order. It is added once at checkout and printed on the invoice, so there is no extra fee later. Inside the EU there is no import duty. Outside the EU, the receiver pays local duty and VAT.

A replacement engine is often much cheaper than rebuilding a damaged one, and much faster. The M47D20TU2 you buy is photographed and checked in Hamburg before it is listed.

Eligible engines come with a 12 months warranty from the delivery date. It covers internal mechanical failure under normal use and correct fitting by a qualified mechanic or workshop. 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 M47 Engines · Search M47D20TU2 in the shop

Delivery, warranty and payment

Before a 520d 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.

Delivery is door to door and included in the price. Most European addresses receive the engine within five to ten working days; Germany and its neighbours are usually faster.

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 E60 engines · N47 engine guide · BMW 520d engines for sale · Send us your VIN