3.0 Td6 diesel — BMW M57D30

Last updated: 18 June 2012

The Td6 was the launch diesel of the L322 (2002-2006), using BMW's well-regarded M57 inline-six turbodiesel. In a class then dominated by V8 petrols, it gave the Range Rover real long-distance economy. The engine itself has an excellent reputation; the ownership risks in this car lie mostly in the gearbox and turbo rather than the block.

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Photo: BMW M57 3.0 Td6 engine bay

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ENGINE QUICK FACTS

Engine code	BMW M57D30
Type	3.0 inline-6 turbodiesel
Power	177 hp
Torque	390 Nm
0-60	13.6 s
Years	2002-2006
Gearbox	GM 5L40-E
Verdict	Economical, slow

AT A GLANCE Engine reliability: ●●●●○ solid BMW six · Performance: ●●○○○ adequate, not strong · Economy: best of the early engines

Strengths	Weaknesses
+ Tough, long-lived BMW diesel	– Only 177 hp in a 2.5-tonne car
+ Far cheaper to run than the V8s	– Weak GM 5-speed auto behind it
+ Responds well to mild tuning	– Turbo & fuel pump wear with miles

Specifications

Engine code	M57D30 (TU variant)
Configuration	Inline-6, turbodiesel
Displacement	2,926 cc (the 2.9-litre M57 derivative)
Fuel system	Common-rail direct injection?Common rail keeps fuel at very high pressure in a shared "rail", letting the ECU inject precisely and multiple times per stroke — quieter, cleaner, more efficient than older diesels.
Turbo	Single variable-geometry turbo?VGT (variable-geometry turbo) has moveable vanes that change the exhaust flow angle, giving good boost at both low and high revs and reducing lag.
Power	approx. 177 hp (132 kW)
Torque	approx. 390 Nm
Gearbox	GM 5L40-E 5-speed automatic
Years in L322	2002-2006

Performance & economy

Manufacturer / period figures; real-world economy is typically lower. Petrols were often LPG-converted to cut fuel costs.

0-60 / 0-62 mph	13.6 sec
Top speed	111 mph (179 km/h)
Economy	~24.9 mpg (combined)
CO₂ emissions	~299 g/km
Kerb weight	~2,440 kg
Displacement	2,926 cc
Cylinders	Inline-6
Torque (alt. figure)	up to ~390 Nm

Power vs the L322 range

This engine	177 hp
Range span	177 hp (Td6) ——— 510 hp (5.0 S/C)

Design & technology

The M57 is one of BMW's most respected diesels, used across the 3, 5, 7, X5 and X6 ranges. It is an iron-block, aluminium-head straight-six with common-rail injection and a variable-geometry turbo. The Range Rover used the 2.9-litre-derived version, which is why its 177 hp sits below the 183 hp of BMW's base 3.0. The straight-six layout is inherently smooth, giving the Td6 refined, quiet running well suited to motorway cruising.

Performance

With 177 hp and 390 Nm hauling around 2.5 tonnes, the Td6 is adequate rather than quick — 0-60 mph takes roughly 13 seconds. Where it shines is economy and refinement: real-world figures comfortably beat the petrol V8s, making it the sensible choice for high-mileage drivers of the era. Many owners chip-tune it to around 210 hp without reliability concerns.

Reliability

The M57 block is famously durable — 400,000 km is documented in BMWs. In the L322 the things that actually fail tend to be bolted to it rather than inside it.

Common faults to check

Issue	Symptom & notes
GM 5L40-E gearbox	The known weak link; can fail from ~150,000 km. Gearbox page.
Turbocharger	VGT vanes stick with carbon; power loss/limp mode. Can go from ~150,000 km.
Low-pressure fuel pump	Wears around 200,000 km; starting/running issues.
Injectors	Wear at higher mileage; rough running, smoke.
Swirl flaps / EGR	Inlet manifold carbons up; clean periodically.

Maintenance notes

Regular oil changes protect the turbo bearings. The turbo is the most common expensive failure.
Service the gearbox fluid (don't treat "lifetime fill" literally) to extend the GM auto's life.
Keep the EGR and inlet tract clean to avoid power loss and limp mode.
Watch the low-pressure fuel pump and injectors as mileage climbs past 200,000 km.

Verdict

VERDICT A tough, economical, refined diesel let down in this car by the weak GM gearbox and turbo. A well-maintained Td6 is a sensible, cheap-to-run classic L322. But budget for gearbox and turbo work. For 2007-on cars the 3.6 TDV8 is a big step up in power and refinement.

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