Turbos for the 1-Series, 3-Series, 5-Series, X1, X3, X5 and X6 — N47 & B47 2.0d and N57/M57 3.0d diesels (VNT), plus N20, N55 & B38 turbo-petrol units. Compare free quotes from verified suppliers across South Africa.
N47 · B47 · VNT · Illustrative
Variable-nozzle VNT diesels (N47, B47 2.0d and the N57/M57 3.0d six) plus BorgWarner turbo-petrol (N20, N55 and the B38 three-cylinder). Suppliers cover the full 1, 3, 5-Series and X-range.
BMW uses more than one part number per engine — a 320d could be an N47 or a newer B47, and a 330d or 530d may be single- or twin-turbo. Tell us your VIN and we match the exact unit.
Compare tested used pull-offs, reconditioned/exchange units and new aftermarket — and on the VNT turbos check the actuator is included and calibrated, with warranty confirmed by each supplier.
BMW Turbochargers
Indicative SA pricing by engine and turbo code. Send your VIN for an exact match and a free quote.
Diesel Popular Code: TF035 / GTB1752VZ · 2.0d (N47)
Diesel Code: B47 VNT · 2.0d (B47)
Diesel Popular Code: GTB2260VK · 3.0d (N57 / M57)
Petrol Code: BorgWarner twin-scroll · 2.0i (N20)
Petrol Code: BorgWarner · 3.0i (N55)
Petrol Code: B38 turbo · 1.5 (B38)
Product images are illustrative only — the exact turbo varies by supplier, condition and VIN.
Price guide
Indicative ranges by engine and turbo code. Actual quotes depend on condition and whether the unit is used, reconditioned/exchange or new aftermarket — and whether the actuator is included on the VNT units.
| Engine / Turbo | Price Range (ZAR) |
|---|---|
| 118d / 320d / 520d / X1 / X3 2.0d — N47 (TF035 / GTB1752VZ VNT) | R3,000 – R5,500 |
| 120d / 320d / 520d / X3 / X5 25d 2.0d — B47 (VNT) | R4,000 – R7,500 |
| 330d / 530d / 730d / X5 / X6 3.0d — N57 / M57 (GTB2260VK) | R4,500 – R8,000 |
| 320i / 328i / 120i / X1 / X3 2.0i — N20 (BorgWarner) | R4,500 – R8,000 |
| 335i / M135i / X5 / X6 35i / 640i 3.0i — N55 (BorgWarner) | R8,000 – R12,500 |
| 118i / 318i / X1 18i / 216i / 218i 1.5 — B38 | R7,800 – R15,000 |
These are estimates based on current SA market data — request a free quote for an exact price on your specific model and year.
Condition & warranty
The same BMW turbo comes three ways in South Africa. Here's how they compare on price, warranty and what you get — so you can tell suppliers which to quote.
Tested second-hand unit removed from a low-mileage donor vehicle.
Your old core is surrendered; the unit is stripped, rebuilt and balanced.
A brand-new unit — aftermarket or genuine OEM-grade.
Not sure which to pick? Send your VIN and ask suppliers to quote all three — you compare price and warranty side by side.
BMW's diesels run variable-nozzle (VNT) turbos; the petrols run BorgWarner units — and the sixes can be single- or twin-turbo. Find your engine family below, then send your VIN so suppliers quote the exact part.
Vanes & actuator adjust boost — soot makes them stick
The B47 is the newer successor to the N47 — same variable-nozzle design whose vanes and actuator can gum up with soot.
The larger 3.0d unit (GTB2260VK) — came in both single-turbo and twin-turbo (staged) forms depending on output, so confirm which yours runs.
Newer, higher-ticket units — twin-scroll & three-cylinder
The twin-scroll turbo-petrol four — found on the 20i / 28i badges across the 1, 3 and X-range.
The single-turbo N55 straight-six, plus the small B38 1.5 three-cylinder — the newest, higher-ticket petrol units.
A bare CHRA "core" is only the centre cartridge — not a complete turbo with actuator and housings. It's cheaper, but check exactly what's included before you compare prices. On the VNT diesels especially, confirm the actuator is part of the deal.
Still not sure? and suppliers will confirm the exact turbo for you.
Find your model
Pick your model and we'll match the right turbo by engine and VIN. Tap any model to start a free quote.
On the VNT diesels especially, most of these point to sticking vanes or a tired actuator rather than a dead turbo — so get it diagnosed before you replace the whole unit.
A turbo lives or dies on clean oil and heat management. A few habits go a long way on SA roads:
Most people looking for a BMW turbo in South Africa drive a 320d, 520d or an X-model — and most of the demand sits on the diesel 2.0d engines. The four-cylinder 2.0d family runs a variable-nozzle turbo (VNT), where the vanes and actuator adjust boost across the rev range. When those vanes gum up with carbon and soot you get power loss, limp mode and a tell-tale whistle — the single most common reason owners end up here. The older N47 and the newer B47 share this design, while the straight-six 3.0d (N57/M57) is a larger VNT unit that can be single- or twin-turbo depending on output.
The biggest trap is buying the wrong part number. BMW fits more than one turbo per engine, and the model badge alone is not enough — a 320d could be an N47 or a newer B47, and a 330d or 530d may run a single turbo or a staged twin setup. Confirm yours by VIN or engine number before you buy. If you are weighing up the whole engine rather than just the turbo, it is worth comparing a used BMW engine or gearbox at the same time so you can plan the full job — see the related-parts links below.
VNT symptoms — power loss, limp mode, whistling, black smoke — are often the actuator or a stuck vane rather than a completely dead turbo, and worn injectors, EGR or a blocked DPF can mimic exactly the same signs. It pays to have the fault properly diagnosed before committing to a full unit, and to compare a used or reconditioned turbo against an actuator or clean-and-recon. Engine Finder is a marketplace — submit one free quote request and verified BMW turbo suppliers across South Africa come back to you with prices, warranties and availability.
It depends on the engine and condition. The most in-demand is the 2.0d — an older N47 unit runs roughly R3,000 – R5,500 and the newer B47 about R4,000 – R7,500, with used pull-offs at the lower end and new aftermarket or reconditioned units higher. The straight-six 3.0d (N57/M57) sits around R4,500 – R8,000. On the petrol side the four-cylinder N20 runs about R4,500 – R8,000, the six-cylinder N55 roughly R8,000 – R12,500, and the three-cylinder B38 around R7,800 – R15,000 because it is newer with limited used salvage. Submit one quote request and compare verified suppliers for your exact model.
The most common cause on these variable-nozzle (VNT) 2.0d turbos is the vanes and actuator sticking with carbon and soot. That shows up as power loss, going into limp mode, a whistling or whining noise, or black smoke. Sometimes it is just the actuator or a clean and recon rather than a whole turbo, and worn injectors or EGR/DPF issues can mimic the same symptoms, so it is worth having it properly diagnosed before buying a full unit. On the N47 especially, overall engine health (the timing chain is a known N47 talking point) is worth checking at the same time.
The N47 and B47 are the four-cylinder 2.0d family — the B47 is the newer, re-engineered successor to the N47, both using a variable-nozzle turbo. The N57 (and its M57 predecessor) is the straight-six 3.0d, a larger VNT unit that came in both single-turbo and twin-turbo (staged) forms depending on model and output. So a 320d uses a four-cylinder 2.0d turbo, while a 330d or 530d uses the six-cylinder 3.0d unit. Give your model, year and engine when you request a quote so suppliers match the correct turbo.
All three are common in SA. A used pull-off is the cheapest and fine if it has been tested and comes with some warranty. A reconditioned or exchange unit (you surrender your old core) is usually quote-only and carries a longer warranty. New aftermarket or OEM-grade units cost the most but are brand new. On the VNT diesels especially, check whether the actuator is included and calibrated. Watch out for cheap "CHRA core" listings — a bare centre cartridge is not a complete turbo with actuator and housings.
Confirm it by VIN or engine number — BMW uses more than one part number per engine, and the model badge alone is not enough. A 320d could be an older N47 or a newer B47 depending on year, and a 330d or 530d could be single- or twin-turbo depending on output. Tell us your model, year and engine (and ideally your VIN) when you request a quote and verified suppliers will confirm the exact unit before you commit.
It varies by supplier. Tested used units typically carry a 30–90 day warranty; reconditioned and new aftermarket units usually 6–12 months. Because a failed turbo can be caused by oil-supply, EGR or DPF issues, a good supplier will also advise on fitting the correct oil feed/return and priming the unit. Always get the warranty terms in writing and confirm whether fitment at a qualified workshop is required.
Doing a bigger job than just the turbo? Compare quotes on these too.
Send us your BMW model, year and engine — and your VIN if you have it. We'll get verified suppliers to quote you on used, reconditioned and new-aftermarket turbochargers.
