Common problems · engines and gearboxes

BMW N47 Timing Chain Problems and Recall

The N47 is the 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel BMW fitted across its range, and in some MINIs, until the mid-2010s. These are the problems reported on it and the recall issued for it.

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Recall · MINI (BMW Group)Emissions, DPF & AdBlue
Recall: emissions hardware and software update (N47 diesel)
BMW Group has recalled first-generation MINI Countryman and Paceman diesels for a package of hardware and software changes to the emission control system. Dealers fit the parts and update the engine software. The recall notice does not describe a fault the driver would notice.
Applies to: First-generation MINI Countryman (R60) and Paceman (R61) with the N47 diesel, built 2010–2014
The recall covers particular build batches, identified by VIN.
Source
- DVSA – Check vehicle recalls (GOV.UK) — Adaption Measure for the Emission Control System R60 / R61 N47T (R/2026/284)

Model pages: Mini Countryman

Reported by 3 publishersTiming belt / chain
2.0 diesel (N47): timing chain and tensioner wear
The N47 2.0 diesel's timing chain sits at the back of the engine, and its chain and tensioner can wear and stretch, especially where oil changes have been stretched out. A rattle or metallic ticking from the back of the engine, often on start-up, is the warning. Left alone the chain can snap and wreck the engine; replacing it is a four-figure job because the chain is so hard to reach.
Applies to: BMW 1, 3, 4 and 5 Series, X1, X3 and X5 with the N47 2.0 diesel, built 2012–2015
DVLA records 1,995cc for both the N47 and the B47 that replaced it from 2014–2015, so on a car built in those years this applies only if it has the older N47. What Car? and Parkers say the later B47 suffers less.
9 sources

Model pages: BMW 1 Series, BMW 3 Series, BMW X1

Reported by 2 publishersTiming belt / chain
Diesel (BMW N47): timing chain wear
The BMW-sourced diesels in the second-generation MINIs can suffer premature timing chain wear and, at worst, chain failure. A rattle at idle after starting is the warning; the chain sits at the back of the engine, so the repair is often an engine-out job and expensive.
Applies to: MINI Convertible (R57) Cooper D and Cooper SD diesels, built 2012–2015
2 sources
- What Car? — Used Mini Convertible 2009-2015 – reliability & common problems
- Parkers — BMW X1 (2015–2022) used review

These describe the model, not one car. Plenty of cars never have the problems their model is known for, and a recall may already have been done on yours. Every problem links to its sources; a reported problem needs two independent publishers before we list it.

Recalls are listed by DVSA for the model around its build date — check a specific car by VIN at GOV.UK. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.

Common questions

What are the common BMW N47 diesel problems?

Recall: emissions hardware and software update (N47 diesel); 2.0 diesel (N47): timing chain and tensioner wear; Diesel (BMW N47): timing chain wear. Each is listed above with the models it applies to and its sources.

Does my car have one of these problems?

Not necessarily — these describe the engine or gearbox, and many cars never have them. Enter your registration in the common problems checker to see what applies to your exact car, and a service history check to see whether the work has been done.

BMW N47 Timing Chain Problems and Recall

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