EGR cooler leak
Attaches to egr-cooler at component level · Emissions · carried by 54 variants across 18 chassis
Overview
EGR cooler leak is a occasional fault recorded against egr-cooler at component level, typically from 120–250k km. It shows up as coolant loss with no visible external leak, white smoke, sweet smell. Where it's documented, the repair runs €400–€1,000 (cooler replacement at an independent, costs dated 2026-07), and it can be partly checked before you buy. 54 variants across 18 chassis in this database inherit it.
What happens
Symptom. Coolant loss with no visible external leak, white smoke, sweet smell.
Cause. The EGR cooler cracks internally and leaks coolant into the intake. BMW recalled affected diesels over a fire risk from glycol deposits igniting.
Sources. EU-wide recall covering N47 and N57 EGR coolers
How to check it
Paperwork
Check coolant level and look for unexplained top-ups in the service history. Verify the recall was carried out. It's free and searchable by VIN.
On these cars the folder is most of the value.
Every variant that carries this
| Variant | Chassis | Body | Years | Risk | Good buy | Cost as % of good buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 316d N47 | E90 | sedan | 2009–2011 | R5 | €4,200 | 17% |
| 316d N47 | E91 | wagon | 2009–2011 | R5 | €4,450 | 16% |
| 318d N47 | E90 | sedan | 2007–2011 | R5 | €4,100 | 17% |
| 318d N47 | E91 | wagon | 2007–2011 | R5 | €4,350 | 16% |
| 320d N47 | E90 | sedan | 2007–2011 | R5 | €4,400 | 16% |
| 320d N47 | E91 | wagon | 2007–2012 | R5 | €4,650 | 15% |
| 320d N47 | E92 | coupe | 2007–2013 | R5 | €5,050 | 14% |
| 320d N47 | E93 | convertible | 2007–2013 | R5 | €4,950 | 14% |
| 325d N57 | E90 | sedan | 2010–2011 | R3 | €7,200 | 10% |
| 325d N57 | E91 | wagon | 2010–2012 | R3 | €7,650 | 9% |
| 325d N57 | E92 | coupe | 2010–2013 | R3 | €8,300 | 8% |
| 330d N57 | E90 | sedan | 2008–2011 | R3 | €8,500 | 8% |
| 330d N57 | E91 | wagon | 2008–2012 | R3 | €9,050 | 8% |
| 330d N57 | E92 | coupe | 2008–2013 | R3 | €9,000 | 8% |
| 330d N57 | E93 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R3 | €8,750 | 8% |
| 2.0 TDI CJCA | B8 | sedan | 2008–2015 | R3 | €5,200 | 13% |
| 2.0 TDI CJCA | B8 Avant | wagon | 2008–2016 | R3 | €5,500 | 13% |
| 3.0 TDI CCWA | B8 | sedan | 2008–2015 | R4 | €7,500 | 9% |
| 3.0 TDI CCWA | B8 Avant | wagon | 2008–2016 | R4 | €7,900 | 9% |
| C 220 CDI OM651 | W204 | sedan | 2009–2014 | R3 | €5,700 | 12% |
| C 220 CDI OM651 | S204 | wagon | 2009–2014 | R3 | €6,000 | 12% |
| C 320 CDI OM642 | W204 | sedan | 2007–2011 | R3 | €6,600 | 11% |
| C 320 CDI OM642 | S204 | wagon | 2008–2011 | R3 | €6,950 | 10% |
| 1.6 TDI CAYC | Mk6 | hatchback | 2009–2013 | R3 | €5,350 | 13% |
| 116d N47 | E87 | hatchback | 2009–2011 | R4 | €4,050 | 17% |
| 116d N47 | E81 | hatchback | 2009–2011 | R4 | €3,600 | 19% |
| 118d N47 | E87 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R4 | €4,600 | 15% |
| 118d N47 | E81 | hatchback | 2007–2012 | R4 | €4,100 | 17% |
| 118d N47 | E82 | coupe | 2007–2013 | R4 | €4,700 | 15% |
| 118d N47 | E88 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R4 | €4,950 | 14% |
| 120d N47 | E87 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R4 | €5,150 | 14% |
| 120d N47 | E81 | hatchback | 2007–2012 | R4 | €4,600 | 15% |
| 120d N47 | E82 | coupe | 2007–2013 | R4 | €5,250 | 13% |
| 120d N47 | E88 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R4 | €5,550 | 13% |
| 123d N47S | E87 | hatchback | 2007–2011 | R4 | €6,450 | 11% |
| 123d N47S | E81 | hatchback | 2007–2012 | R4 | €5,750 | 12% |
| 123d N47S | E82 | coupe | 2007–2013 | R4 | €6,650 | 11% |
| 123d N47S | E88 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R4 | €6,950 | 10% |
| 2.0 TDI BKD | 8P | hatchback | 2003–2008 | R3 | €3,300 | 21% |
| 2.0 TDI BKD | 8PA | hatchback | 2004–2008 | R3 | €3,400 | 21% |
| 2.0 TDI CBAB | 8P | hatchback | 2008–2013 | R4 | €4,700 | 15% |
| 2.0 TDI CBAB | 8PA | hatchback | 2008–2013 | R4 | €4,800 | 15% |
| 2.0 TDI CBAB | 8P7 | convertible | 2008–2013 | R4 | €4,950 | 14% |
| 1.6 TDI CAYC | 8P | hatchback | 2009–2013 | R3 | €4,150 | 17% |
| 1.6 TDI CAYC | 8PA | hatchback | 2009–2013 | R3 | €4,250 | 16% |
| 1.6 TDI CAYC | 8P7 | convertible | 2009–2013 | R3 | €4,400 | 16% |
| E 220 CDI OM651 | W212 | sedan | 2009–2016 | R3 | €6,300 | 11% |
| E 220 CDI OM651 | S212 | wagon | 2009–2016 | R3 | €6,650 | 11% |
| E 200 CDI OM651 | W212 | sedan | 2010–2016 | R3 | €5,500 | 13% |
| E 200 CDI OM651 | S212 | wagon | 2010–2016 | R3 | €5,800 | 12% |
| E 250 CDI OM651 | W212 | sedan | 2009–2016 | R3 | €7,300 | 10% |
| E 250 CDI OM651 | S212 | wagon | 2009–2016 | R3 | €7,700 | 9% |
| E 350 CDI OM642 | W212 | sedan | 2009–2016 | R3 | €8,750 | 8% |
| E 350 CDI OM642 | S212 | wagon | 2009–2016 | R3 | €9,200 | 8% |
The last column is the point. The same repair is an inconvenience on one variant and a reason to scrap the car on another. A failure costing a quarter of the vehicle's value changes the purchase decision regardless of how rare it is.