BMW M57: Diesel's Best Kept Secret

So, while the US majorly lacks on the diesel car front as compared to the many other countries, the BMW M57 is a glimpse of what we could have if we adopted diesel cars.

The performance is great, the tunability is nearly on par with the N54, the reliability is superb especially for a BMW product, and efficiency blows BMW gas engines out of the water.

In the US we almost exclusively see diesel engines used in heavy duty applications like Ram trucks, GM trucks, Ford trucks, and so on.

While the M57 is vastly different than many of those engines, it certainly deserves more recognition as a well designed and powerful little engine that represents what German diesel engines are capable of as compared to American diesel engines.

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[BCBetS]

Those m57 engines are like a piece of history for BMW. In Europe people with Nissan Patrol (and similarities) swap the engine for those m57 diesel ones. The torque of those engines are just so great

[icemanification]

The Mercedes OM606 diesel was another great engine too. Also known as the 2JZ of the diesel world.

[jrss]

Had an E39 530d with the m57 and yeah this engine is a masterpiece. Awesome dynamics, economical, reliable, very smooth for a diesel engine like all and it sounds pretty decent as well.

[madanto]

M57 the noise it makes from 1st gear (auto)to second (0-10mph) is unreal.

[michaelbayerl]

I met a woman with an X5 35d the other day while fueling up. She and her husband both own M57 X5's, both have been extensively tuned and exhaust deleted. It sounded absolutely glorious when she pulled out.

[vOzidloCZ]

Folks, I have 535d for 3 years. Now it has almost 400k km and a chip up to 350hp. I should say that it's very reliable engine and also 6hp28 transmission.
Consumption is about 6L per 100km on the highway and 7-8L urban.
Transmission can be easily remapped with original sport transmission software (equipped by default from 2008 and with 2TB option) or with xph. Both are great.
Huge amount of torque already from 1300 rmp.

[topproff]

I have owned my 330d M57 for 12 years…never missed a beat. Sat on 206, 000. Same cam chain, 280BHP

[ySpecial]

Shame you didnt mention the E46 and E39 in that list. The 330d and 530d can be real monsters. Theres a guy running almost 300hp and 750nm on a stock 3 liter in an E39 here. Real cool engines

[mofares]

Great review. As an owner of a 2011 335d M Sport since 2013, I absolutely love my diesel sedan. The car is efficient, luxurious, quiet, handles exceptionally well for it's weight. It has been one of the most reliable BMW's I have owned except for the emission components, harmonic balancer, and glow plug module. They are guaranteed to fail around 100k or less unless your driving this car on the highway 90% of the time. The carbon buildup is a serious issue as well in stock form. Despite its shortcomings, the torque, horsepower and mileage are addictive and cannot be compared to any high performance sedans including M cars in the BMW lineup. Having deleted all the components that break down along with a reputable tune, the car is so much more reliable, quicker with improved fuel economy. BMW hit a home run on this motor but the EPA ruined the wallet experience.

[chrismason]

These cars are everywhere here in 🇬🇧 We have a ton of ‘performance diesel' cars here. Lots of people like the torque and boost when you get on it, and the calm low revs from the engine while cruising on motorways. It is turning over like on idle. This particular m57 engine from bmw is by far one of the best. Very easy to make big power with bolt ons and tune. Not hard to find these engines still very happy with 200k miles and up. The reliability is incredible.

[bartselter]

Running an e91 335d m57.

Pushing a smokeless 480hp and 1000nm😎 Stock bottom end, and stock trans with a custom map.

Fresh engine only done 7000 km as we speak👌

[kylekennedy]

I have an E46 330d. Amazingly reliable and powerful. Doubt I’d ever get rid of this car.

[xallyeah]

My 335D is gutted, deleted, trans tuned, ecu tuned, flaps deleted, and it ran a 12.1. Stock turbos, stock injectors, and stock fuel pump. I’m upgrading to the R90 pump, larger injectors, hybrid turbos, and NOS next season.

[slodsl]

I've got a 335d. The transmission tune negates any slow shift complaints from me.

[michaelbayerl]

I bought a new BMW 335d in 2011 and it has been AMAZING! Thanks for reviewing the engine.

[Jon.the.painter]

For anyone with an e39 530D.. the turbo from an e60 530D is a lot bigger and bolt's straight up to the e39! Just file the corner off the engine mount bracket for clearance 👌🏼

[diabol]

Got an e39 530d, when I took it to the mechanic for a check up, he said this is the best engine I could have gotten for this model and/or generation. The m57 is timeless

[binomiallife]

Great video, you’re totally right about the M57 engine. Im in the US, What about the M57Y engine? I have an X5 35D 2011, all deletes have been done, active and passive def tanks are now methanol injection, Engine tune, trans tune, it’s an absolute rocket ship, with 35mpg. No idea what real power numbers are, but it seems happier without all the restrictions. Only problems I’ve ever had with it, are it eats water pumps even with upgraded metal impeller, and also thermostats. I’ve never seen a mechanical water pump actually explode, and eat both belts, several times. It seems they only can go for about 30k miles. I own several BMW’s and this one is my daily, commuter, about 1000mi per week. 160k miles total, and still puts a smile on my face. Most reliable BMW I’ve ever owned. It sounds like an old 7.3, but still luxurious inside, just keep the windows up at red lights, she got a lil coal outback.

[Campletebewakingscameras]

I got one in my x5. Really love it, you only touch it a bit and it flies. Only problem, you don't get the speed experience as a gasoline car. But for road trips it is really great

[omnihein]

Someone recently made an 8-second quarter-mile 118d with this engine swap, stock internals 1020hp 1100ftlbs (I think, lol, it was 1600nm)