F25 · 2010–2014

BMW X3 xDrive20d F25 · 184 hp (2010 to 2014)

The BMW X3 xDrive20d of the F25 generation uses the N47D20 diesel engine with 184 hp. Oil, timing drive and known issues of this engine are covered in the “Engine” block on this page.

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Technical specifications

Fuel
Diesel
Power
184 PS / 135 kW
Displacement
1 995 cm³
Cylinders
4
Engine code
N47D20
Period covered
2010–2014
Documented market
Europe

Transmission

  • Manual · 6 speeds
  • Automatic · 8 speeds

Figures apply to the cited configuration and market; equipment and transmissions may vary by production date.

Specification source : [1] AutoKarnet

This version

184 hp (135 kW), xDrive all-wheel drive, 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic. Built from 2010 to 2014.

AutoKarnet advice

In the range

It sits between the sDrive18d (150 hp) and the xDrive20d (190 hp). The N47D20 engine is also fitted to: BMW X1 (E84), BMW X3 (E83), BMW X4 (F26), BMW X5 (F15).

AutoKarnet advice

BMW N47 diesel engine (2.0 l)

This applies to every car fitted with the N47 engine.

What the N47 is

A 1,995 cc inline four-cylinder diesel with an aluminium crankcase, common-rail direct injection and a variable-geometry turbocharger, with a particulate filter as standard. BMW launched it in March 2007 in the 1 Series (118d and 120d). The N47S of the 123d (2007) adds two-stage Variable Twin Turbo charging and piezo injectors at 2,000 bar. According to BMW, quoted by AUTO BILD, the N47 also exists as a 1.6 and was fitted to the 1, 3 and 5 Series among others. BMW’s 2014 data sheets name the last versions N47D20U1, O1 and T1; in 2017 the facelifted 2 Series switched to the B47.

Source : [3] [5] [4] [11] [12] [10]

Engine oil

Use oil approved to BMW Longlife-04: BMW requires it for diesels with a particulate filter, because its additives form less ash that would clog the filter. Viscosity alone is not enough. Oil change with filter: 5.2 l for the N47 and N47S D20 according to TIS data, a figure BMW also gives for the F30 316d/318d (2012) and for the N47D20U1/O1/T1 of the 2 Series (2014).

Source : [2] [6] [11] [13]

Timing drive

Chain-driven, with a tensioner piston, located at the rear of the engine on the gearbox side. To remove the rear timing case cover, BMW’s procedure starts by removing the engine, the flywheel, the cylinder head and the oil pan: any work on the chain is a major job, not routine maintenance.

Source : [7] [8]

Timing chain reputation

The N47 is known for chain noise. In August 2013 BMW told AUTO BILD that the scraping of some N47s built from 2007 to 2011 came from unfavourable tolerances and a manufacturing fault in the crankshaft sprocket, calling it an acoustic issue with no consequential damage. AUTO BILD nevertheless reports that the workshop instruction calls for optimised chain guide rails and a new crankshaft on engines built before 5 January 2009 (about €4,000), and that broken chains have been reported at high mileage. The Darmstadt regional court (2015, upheld on appeal in 2017) ruled that chain noise without loss of function was a comfort issue, not a defect. In practice: a metallic scraping or whine from the gearbox end deserves a diagnosis straight away; when buying, ask whether the chain has been replaced.

Source : [10] [9] [8]

Maintenance and records

Oil and filter change

Per CBS, at the latest 24 months

24 months

Due date calculated by the car from use. BMW Longlife-approved oil suited to the engine.

Source [1]

Pads and discs

Per wear sensors

Front and rear tracked separately by CBS.

Source [1]

Brake fluid

Every 24 months

24 months

Time-based replacement, whatever the mileage.

Source [1]

Questions about this version (2)

Which engine is in the BMW X3 xDrive20d F25?

The N47D20 diesel engine (1 995 cc), 184 hp (135 kW).

AutoKarnet advice

Which oil for the BMW X3 xDrive20d?

A BMW Longlife-approved oil suited to the N47D20 engine. The “Engine” block on this page and the vehicle’s handbook give the exact approval.

AutoKarnet advice

Documentary sources

  1. [1] Rédaction AutoKarnet

    AutoKarnet · FR · Europe · Synthèse éditoriale AutoKarnet · Accessed 09/10/2026

  2. [2] BMW TIS — BMW Quality Longlife-04

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · SI 11 03 04 (156) · revision 09/2005 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  3. [3] BMW Media Information 1/2007 — The new BMW 1 Series

    BMW Group · EN · Germany · PDF pp. 4–5 (five-door engines), p. 34–35 (five-door specifications, German market) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  4. [4] BMW 123d: EfficientDynamics reach a new dimension

    BMW Group · EN · Europe · Engine and performance (5-door: 0–100 km/h in 7.0 s) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  5. [5] BMW TIS — Modifications to “Condition Based Service”

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Worldwide · SBT 00 04 06 (148) · 03/2007 · pp. 1–2 (E87 03/07; DPF display: E87/E81 N47 OL+UL 03/07) · Accessed 08/10/2026

  6. [6] BMW TIS — Oil Supply N47 / N47S D20

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · TD 11 40 · oil change volume with oil filter · Accessed 08/10/2026

  7. [7] BMW TIS — Chain tensioner piston (N47/N47S)

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · RA 11 31 · N47/N47S · Accessed 08/10/2026

  8. [8] BMW TIS — Timing case cover at rear (N47/N47S)

    BMW AG — TIS (archive) · EN · Europe · RA 11 14 · N47/N47S · Accessed 08/10/2026

  9. [9] LG Darmstadt, 30.01.2015, 27 O 100/13 (OLG Frankfurt a. M., 21.04.2017, 24 U 26/15) — BMW X1 sDrive18d N47, Steuerkette

    autokaufrecht.info (résumé de jugement) · DE · Germany · Gutachten; Entscheidungsgründe · Accessed 08/10/2026

  10. [10] BMW: Steuerkette schleift bei Vierzylinder-Dieseln

    AUTO BILD · DE · Germany · Statement by BMW to AUTO BILD on N47 diesels built 2007–2011 · Accessed 08/10/2026

  11. [11] BMW UK Technical data — 2 Series Coupé [F22], March 2014

    BMW Group UK · EN · United Kingdom · Engine type (N20B20U0, N55B30O0, N47D20U1, N47D20O1, N47D20T1), output, torque, gearbox, “Engine oil — exchange quantity” · Accessed 08/10/2026

  12. [12] BMW UK Technical data — 2 Series Coupé LCI [F22LCI]

    BMW Group UK · EN · United Kingdom · Effective production week 44/2017 · engine type (B58B30M0, B47D20U0, B47D20O0, B47D20T0), gearbox, “Engine oil (filling quantity)” · M2 Coupé LCI · Accessed 08/10/2026

  13. [13] BMW — 316d et 318d berline, 03/2012

    BMW Group · EN · Europe / marchés ACEA · 2 pages : 85/105 kW, 116/143 ch, 1 995 cm³, 260/320 Nm, huile de vidange 5,2 l. · Accessed 08/10/2026

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