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More servicesBMW 3 Series F30 (2012–2019): Common Problems and What to Check
24 June 2026 · 6 min read
Why the F30 is so common in our workshop
The F30 saloon and F31 Touring were on sale from 2012 to 2019, and the 318d and 320d versions sold in huge numbers as company cars. Many are now on their second or third owner, often with high mileage and a service history that has gaps in it. That combination is exactly when the known faults start to show.
None of this means the F30 is a bad car. It is comfortable, economical and good to drive. But knowing what to look for means you can deal with problems while they are cheap, rather than after they have caused damage elsewhere.
N47 timing chain on earlier diesels
Cars built from 2012 until around 2015 with the 318d or 320d use the N47 diesel. Its timing chain sits at the back of the engine, next to the gearbox, and the chain, guides and tensioner can wear. The sign is a rattle or whine from the rear of the engine, often loudest at idle or on a cold start.
This is the one fault we would never advise living with. If the chain snaps, the engine is usually badly damaged. Replacing the chain means taking the engine out, so it is not a small job, but it is far cheaper than a new engine. From around 2015 the F30 switched to the B47 engine, which is much better in this respect.
EGR cooler leaks and the recall
BMW diesels of this era use an EGR cooler to cool exhaust gas before it goes back into the engine. The cooler can crack internally and leak coolant into the intake. The first sign is usually a coolant level that keeps dropping with no drip on the drive. You may also notice a sweet smell or white smoke.
BMW recalled a large number of diesels to deal with this, because the residue left in the intake could overheat. If you own an F30 diesel, it is worth checking the recall has been done. When one comes into our workshop losing coolant, we check the recall status first and tell you if a free dealer fix is still open.
DPF problems on short-journey cars
Like every modern diesel, the 320d has a diesel particulate filter that needs regular longer runs to burn off soot. Cars used mainly for school runs and short trips around town struggle to regenerate the filter and end up with a DPF warning and reduced power.
Often a forced regeneration or a professional clean sorts it. What we avoid is simply clearing the code and sending the car away, because the filter will block again. We look at the live soot readings and talk to you about how the car is used.
Other things worth checking
Petrol F30s with the electric water pump can suffer pump failure, which brings on a temperature warning and reduced power, often without any visible leak. Suspension bushes, particularly at the front, wear on cars that spend their lives on potholed roads, and show up as knocks or vague steering.
Servicing matters too. BMW long-life service intervals are long, and oil that is left in too long does the timing chain no favours. Many owners who plan to keep the car choose to change the oil more often than the dashboard suggests.
F30 checks in West Bromwich
If your 3 Series is showing any of these signs, or you are buying one and want it looked over, we can help. We read BMW fault codes across all the control units, not just the engine, and we quote before any work starts.
Call Urban Autohaus on 07498 392333 or book online. We are on Cornwallis Road, West Bromwich, B70 9BY, close to M5 Junction 1.