Since 2015, the German company’s most popular rear and all-wheel drive models have been equipped with a series of 3.0-liter, six-cylinder BMW B57 diesel engines. These power units can be modified with one, two, or four turbines.
The modular series’ six-cylinder diesel engines made their debut on the BMW 7-Series G11 in 2015. They had an aluminum block with plasma-sprayed steel on the cylinder walls, an aluminum 24-valve DOHC head with hydraulic lifters, and a timing chain drive. A Bosch Common Rail fuel system equipped with piezo injectors performed the injection.
The four-turbine version of a series of six-cylinder diesel engines was discontinued in 2020. Two different-sized turbochargers and a new CR Bosch fuel system with an injection pressure increase from 2500 to 2700 bar have been added to the remaining two modifications.
The engine was installed on:
- BMW 3-Series F30, 3-Series G20;
- BMW 4-Series G22;
- BMW 5-Series G30;
- BMW 6-Series G32;
- BMW 7-Series G11;
- BMW 8-Series G15;
- BMW X3-Series G01;
- BMW X4-Series G02;
- BMW X5-Series G05;
- BMW X6-Series G06;
- BMW X7-Series G07.
Modifications to engines with one, two, or four turbines; the first two are still in two generations:
- B57D30O0: 265 – 286 hp and 620 – 650 Nm;
- B57D30T0: 320 – 340 hp and 680 – 700 Nm;
- B57D30S0: 400 hp and 760 Nm.
Specifications
| Production years | since 2015 |
| Displacement, cc | 2993 |
| Fuel system | Common Rail |
| Power output, hp | 265 – 400 |
| Torque output, Nm | 620 – 760 |
| Cylinder block | aluminum R6 |
| Block head | aluminum 24v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 84 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 90 |
| Compression ratio | 16.0 – 16.5 |
| Hydraulic lifters | yes |
| Timing drive | chain |
| Turbocharging | yes |
| Fuel type | diesel |
| Euro standards | EURO 6 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~350 000 |
Disadvantages of the B57D30 engine
Contamination of the intake manifold and its swirl flaps, which causes traction failures and unstable engine operation, is the most well-known issue with this diesel engine. In the most severe situations, the collector needs to be replaced because the dampers’ axis breaks.
The timing chain of engines in the modular series typically lasts 200–250 thousand kilometers or more, but replacements of up to 100,000 kilometers are not unusual for strong diesel engines with enormous torque.
The remaining issues affect nearly all contemporary diesel engines: you must regularly clean the intake manifold and EGR system, keep a close eye on the cooling system’s cleanliness, and assess the quality of the oil and consumables.