M41 vs M57

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
M57 BUY 84/100
+12 points over M41
0 / 100
ACCEPTABLE M41 BMW
0 / 100
BUY M57 BMW

Specifications

M41
M57
Brand
BMW
BMW
Verdict
ACCEPTABLE
BUY
Reliability
72
84
Years
1994--1999
1998--2012
Displacement
1665 cc
2993 cc
Layout
I4
I6
Type
Diesel
Diesel
Power
90 hp
184--286 hp
Known Issues
3
0
Total Risk Cost
€650--€1,600
€0--€0

Character

M41

"E36 318tds. Pre-common-rail indirect injection. Simple, economical. No swirl flaps, no DPF. Timing belt. Injection pump can fail at very high mileage. Cast iron block. Reliable and cheap. Low power is the only complaint."

M57

"Legendary diesel six. Powered E46 330d to E90 335d. Smooth, torquey, reliable. Swirl flaps and turbo actuator at high mileage."

Issues Comparison

M41 3

▲ HIGH
Timing belt (interference) €200--€400 60,000 km--90,000 km
● MODERATE
Injection pump (indirect injection) €400--€1,000 200,000 km--350,000 km
○ MINOR
Glow plug failure €50--€200 80,000 km--150,000 km

M57 0

No documented issues.

Models

M41 1

3 Series E36 1994--1999

M57 17

5 Series E39 2000--2003 5 Series E60 2003--2007 X5 E53 2001--2003 3 Series E46 1999--2003 5 Series E39 1998--2000 X5 E53 2003--2006 5 Series E39 2000--2003 7 Series E65 2002--2008 5 Series E60 2003--2007 3 Series E46 2003--2005 3 Series E90 2005--2008 3 Series E90 2006--2010 X5 E70 2007--2010 5 Series E60 2007--2010 5 Series E60 2007--2010 3 Series E90 2006--2008 5 Series E60 2004--2010
Full M41 Report Full M57 Report