BMW X5 35d (E70) engine: which one, problems and replacement

The BMW X5 35d in the second X5 generation (E70, built 2006–2013) was built with one engine, the M57D30TU2: a 3.0 L diesel inline-6 with 286 hp.

This guide tells you which engine your X5 35d has, what goes wrong with it, what a replacement costs from our stock and what else to plan for when you fit one.

• Generation: second X5, 2006–2013
• Body styles: E70 (SAV)
• Engines: M57D30TU2
• Output: 286 hp
• Replacement engines in stock: 213 from 835,00 €

Which engine is in your X5 35d?

M57D30TU2 in the X5 35d

The M57D30TU2 was used in the E70 X5 35d, built 2006–2012. It is a 3.0 L twin-turbo diesel inline-6 with 286 hp and 580 Nm.

Reading the code: M marks an M-series code, the naming BMW used for its engine families up to the early 2000s; 57 is the family number; D stands for diesel; 30 is the capacity in decilitres, so 3.0 litres; TU2 identifies the technical update.

X5 35d engines by model year

The X5 35d kept the same engine for the whole E70 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 X5 35d

A replacement engine does not have to come from another X5 35d. 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.

M57D30TU2: BMW E60 535d, BMW E90 335d, BMW E71 X6 35d.

How to confirm your engine code

The X5 35d only used the M57D30TU2, 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 X5 35d engine problems

The M57D30TU2 in the X5 35d shares the known weak points of the M57 family. Full M57 guide.

Swirl flaps. The swirl flaps can loosen and break off, and a broken flap can enter a cylinder and destroy the engine.

EGR valve and cooler. The EGR valve clogs and the cooler can leak.

Injectors. Injectors leak or fail, especially piezo versions.

Turbocharger. Turbos wear and actuators stick.

Thermostat and viscous fan. Thermostats fail and cause slow warm-up.

Symptoms to watch for on the X5 35d

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.

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.

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 X5 35d engine

• Oil: 5W-30 BMW Longlife-04, about 6.5 to 7.5 litres.
• Service interval: Oil every 10,000 to 15,000 km.
• Timing drive: Timing chain at the front.
• Workshop notes: Fit swirl flap blanks when installing a used M57. Conversions need the right sump and wiring.

Buying a used engine for the X5 35d: 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. 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. 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. 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.
5. 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.
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. 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.
9. 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.

BMW X5 35d replacement engine cost

Our X5 35d engine stock runs to 213 units, priced from 835,00 € to 4.347,00 € with a median of 3.239,00 €.

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.

X5 35d engine prices by model year

Engines from 2005–2009 have a median of 3.239,00 €, while units from 2015–2019 sit at 1.607,00 €. Newer engines usually cost more because they come from younger donor cars with lower mileage and later updates.

X5 35d 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.

56 of these come from E70 donor cars, priced from 1.222,00 € to 4.347,00 €. 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 X5 35d

Here is a selection of X5 35d engines currently on our shelves, photographed in the yard. Click any of them for the full photographs, mileage and specification.

BMW X5 E70 M57D30TU2 Engine 20091.906,00 €BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2006, 34,700 km3.639,00 €BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2006, 173,300 km3.802,00 €BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2007, 163,200 km3.718,00 €BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2012, 150,500 km2.886,00 €BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2010, 129,300 km3.314,00 €BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2006, 151,200 km3.240,00 €BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2012, 45,400 km3.211,00 €BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2006, 51,900 km2.673,00 €BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2009, 196,400 km2.957,00 €BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2010, 187,800 km3.529,00 €BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2006, 88,200 km2.561,00 €

BMW X5 E70 M57D30TU2 Engine 2009 — 1.906,00 €, reduced from 2.500,00 €. It comes from a 2009 donor car, and 21 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2006, 34,700 km — 3.639,00 €, reduced from 4.900,00 €. It comes from a 2006 donor car with 34,700 km, and 13 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2006, 173,300 km — 3.802,00 €, reduced from 4.900,00 €. It comes from a 2006 donor car with 173,300 km, and 20 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2007, 163,200 km — 3.718,00 €, reduced from 4.750,00 €. It comes from a 2007 donor car with 163,200 km, and 26 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2012, 150,500 km — 2.886,00 €, reduced from 3.850,00 €. It comes from a 2012 donor car with 150,500 km, and 10 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2010, 129,300 km — 3.314,00 €, reduced from 4.050,00 €. It comes from a 2010 donor car with 129,300 km, and 16 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2006, 151,200 km — 3.240,00 €, reduced from 4.600,00 €. It comes from a 2006 donor car with 151,200 km, and 16 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2012, 45,400 km — 3.211,00 €, reduced from 4.150,00 €. It comes from a 2012 donor car with 45,400 km, and 17 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2006, 51,900 km — 2.673,00 €, reduced from 3.450,00 €. It comes from a 2006 donor car with 51,900 km, and 22 units are available. Ask the desk for compression figures or extra photographs before you order.

BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2009, 196,400 km — 2.957,00 €, reduced from 4.450,00 €. It comes from a 2009 donor car with 196,400 km, and 20 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2010, 187,800 km — 3.529,00 €, reduced from 5.000,00 €. It comes from a 2010 donor car with 187,800 km, and 12 units are available. We can confirm fitment against your VIN the same day.

BMW E70 X5 3.0sd M57D30TU2 Engine 2006, 88,200 km — 2.561,00 €, reduced from 3.750,00 €. It comes from a 2006 donor car with 88,200 km, and 14 units are available. The listing shows every side of the engine and the fitted parts.

Will it fit my X5 35d?

Will the M57D30TU2 fit my BMW E70 X5 35d?

Yes, the BMW E70 X5 35d left the factory with the M57D30TU2, so an M57D30TU2 from another car is the direct replacement. The second X5 was built 2006–2013, and the M57D30TU2 was produced 2006–2012, 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 E70 X5 35d?

We have 56 M57D30TU2 engines from E70 donor cars, priced from 1.222,00 € to 4.347,00 €. 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 X5 35d

These engines were fitted to other versions of the E70 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 N55B30 in my X5 35d?

It is a full conversion: the N55B30 runs on petrol and the M57D30TU2 on diesel, so the fuel system, wiring, engine control unit, instrument coding and usually the gearbox change too. The gain is 20 hp and 0 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Can I fit the N62B48 in my X5 35d?

It is a full conversion: the N62B48 runs on petrol and the M57D30TU2 on diesel, so the fuel system, wiring, engine control unit, instrument coding and usually the gearbox change too. The gain is 81 hp and 0 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Can I fit the N63B44 in my X5 35d?

It is a full conversion: the N63B44 runs on petrol and the M57D30TU2 on diesel, so the fuel system, wiring, engine control unit, instrument coding and usually the gearbox change too. The gain is 121 hp and 20 Nm. In Germany and most of Europe an engine swap must be inspected and registered.

Fitting a replacement engine in the X5 35d

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. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.

X5 35d engine questions

Will the M57D30TU2 engine fit my BMW E83 X3 3.0sd?

Yes, if your BMW E83 X3 3.0sd was built with the M57D30TU2. BMW used this 3.0 liter (2,993 cc) diesel engine with 210 kW (286 HP) in the E83 X3 3.0sd from about 2006 to 2012.

In our records the M57D30TU2 is the engine for the E83 X3 3.0sd, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.

Your car has all-wheel drive or is an X model, so the sump, the oil pickup and some brackets can differ from the rear-drive cars. Tell us the full model so we send the right set-up.

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 M57 Engines · Search M57D30TU2 in the shop

Will the M57D30TU2 engine fit my BMW E70 X5 3.0sd?

Yes, if your BMW E70 X5 3.0sd was built with the M57D30TU2. BMW used this 3.0 liter (2,993 cc) diesel engine with 210 kW (286 HP) in the E70 X5 3.0sd from about 2006 to 2012.

In our records the M57D30TU2 is the engine for the E70 X5 3.0sd, which makes the match simple. Still, check the code on your old engine or send us your VIN.

Your car has all-wheel drive or is an X model, so the sump, the oil pickup and some brackets can differ from the rear-drive cars. Tell us the full model so we send the right set-up.

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 M57 Engines · Search M57D30TU2 in the shop

Which cars use the BMW M57D30TU2 engine?

BMW fitted the M57D30TU2 to the BMW E60 535d, BMW E61 535d, BMW E90 335d, BMW E92 335d, BMW E70 X5 3.0sd and BMW E83 X3 3.0sd. These cars were built with this engine from about 2006 to 2012.

The badge on the boot is not enough to be sure. The same model name can hide two different engines, for example after a facelift or a change in emission rules. Always read the engine code stamped on the block, or look it up with your VIN.

Other engines in the same M57 family are the M57D30TU (218 HP) and M57D25TU (177 HP). They look alike but differ in power, parts and electronics, so they are not always a direct swap.

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 M57 Engines · Search M57D30TU2 in the shop

Delivery, warranty and payment

Every X5 35d 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.

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 E70 engines · M57 engine guide · BMW X5 35d engines for sale · Send us your VIN