Since 2008, the 3.0-liter BMW N57 diesel engine has been assembled at the Steyr plant and is found in nearly all of the German company’s larger models. There are three variations of the power unit: single, double, or triple turbocharging.
The engine was installed on:
- BMW 3-Series E90 in 2008 – 2013; 3-Series F30 in 2012 – 2019; 3-Series F34 since 2014;
- BMW 4-Series F32 since 2013;
- BMW 5-Series F10 in 2010 – 2017; 5-Series F07 in 2009 – 2017;
- BMW 6-Series F12 in 2011 – 2018;
- BMW 7-Series F01 in 2008 – 2015;
- BMW X3 F25 in 2011 – 2017;
- BMW X4 F26 in 2014 – 2018;
- BMW X5 E70 in 2010 – 2013; X5 F15 in 2013 – 2018;
- BMW X6 E71 in 2010 – 2014; X6 F16 since 2014.
Specifications
| Production years | since 2008 |
| Displacement, cc | 2993 |
| Fuel system | Common Rail |
| Power output, hp | 204 – 245 (N57D30 ver. U0, O0) 258 (N57D30O1 or N57TU) 299 – 306 (N57D30T0 or N57 TOP) 313 (N57D30T1 or N57TU TOP) 381 (N57D30S1 or N57S1) |
| Torque output, Nm | 430 – 540 (N57D30) 560 (N57D30O1) 600 (N57D30T0) 630 (N57D30T1) 740 (N57D30S1) |
| Cylinder block | aluminum R6 |
| Block head | aluminum 24v |
| Cylinder bore, mm | 84 |
| Piston stroke, mm | 90 |
| Compression ratio | 16.5 (except N57S1) 16.0 (N57D30S1 or N57S1) |
| Features | intercooler |
| Hydraulic lifters | yes |
| Timing drive | chain |
| Phase regulator | no |
| Turbocharging | single turbo (N57D30, N57D30O1) bi turbo (N57D30T0, N57D30T1) tri turbo (N57D30S1) |
| Recommended engine oil | 5W-30 |
| Engine oil capacity, liter | 6.5 (except N57D30S1) 7.2 (N57D30S1) |
| Fuel type | diesel |
| Euro standards | EURO 5/6 |
| Fuel consumption, L/100 km (for BMW 530d 2011) — city — highway — combined |
7.7 5.2 6.1 |
| Engine lifespan, km | ~300 000 |
Disadvantages of the N57D30 engine
The quality of the fuel and oil used has a significant impact on this diesel engine’s service life.
Soot and jam accumulate first on the intake manifold swirl flaps;
The engine will start to run unevenly if the EGR valve is not cleaned because soot will clog the intake;
The crankshaft damper gradually collapses and starts to make noise closer to 100,000 kilometers;
The turbine and timing chain have a resource of roughly 200,000 km with lengthy oil change intervals.