M51 vs M57

Side-by-side reliability comparison

Higher reliability score
M57 BUY 84/100
+16 points over M51
0 / 100
ACCEPTABLE M51 BMW
0 / 100
BUY M57 BMW

Specifications

M51
M57
Brand
BMW
BMW
Verdict
ACCEPTABLE
BUY
Reliability
68
84
Years
1991--2000
1998--2012
Displacement
2497 cc
2993 cc
Layout
I6
I6
Type
Diesel
Diesel
Power
115--143 hp
184--286 hp
Known Issues
2
0
Total Risk Cost
€1,500--€3,700
€0--€0

Character

M51

"Pre-common-rail indirect injection diesel. Cast iron tractor engine. Injection pump main failure at 250k+ km. No swirl flaps. No DPF."

M57

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

Issues Comparison

M51 2

▲ HIGH
Injection pump hot start failure €500--€1,200 200,000 km--350,000 km
▲ HIGH
Cylinder head cracking €1,000--€2,500 200,000 km--350,000 km

M57 0

No documented issues.

Models

M51 3

3 Series E36 1991--1996 5 Series E39 1996--2000 3 Series E36 1993--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 M51 Report Full M57 Report