Turbo replacement! BMW 520D?

McGilla · 15-04-2014 10:27am #1

Hi all,

My turbo started making a loud whistle sound over night.
(No other symptoms i.e loss of power, grinding noise etc):(

I brought it to a garage (non BMW - highly recommended) and i'm told the bearing in the Turbo is gone...needs to replace the Turbo!:eek:

I'm waiting for a price now!

Anyone have any estimates of what this will cost me?
Is this common in BMW 520 D (its a 2009 with 98k miles)

I'm raging, only have the car a year!
(Bought a BMW so things like this wont happen ...used to be an alfa owner!)

Any help, tips advise?

Thanks in advance:confused

macrubicon · 15-04-2014 10:39am

I had the same happen late last year - 2009 520D with 89k.

Had the work done with a main dealer garage and BMW goodwill covered 50% of the parts but I had to cover the other 50% and the labour.

Will dig out what it cost but from memory it was about €1350. I had some other work done while it was in ( touch up on door dings etc. ) so can't recall the turbo job on it's own.

McGilla · 15-04-2014 10:55am

macrubicon wrote: »

BMW goodwill covered 50% of the parts but I had to cover the other 50% and the labour.

Will dig out what it cost but from memory it was about €1350.

Please tell me that's €1,350 for all work and not just 50%!:eek:

burke027 · 15-04-2014 11:35am

This is a common enough problem but I doubt off BMW the total cost is 1350.

I work in a BMW Indy and the turbo is about 500 so then labour on top of that.

But the price quoted by BMW I'd say is just the turbo.
Also as mentioned google the timing chain issue as this is gona happen next but BMW won't cover that so that will be another nice bill for you to add up. The timing chain job is a engine out also

macrubicon · 15-04-2014 12:24pm

McGilla wrote: »

Please tell me that's €1,350 for all work and not just 50%!:eek:

Yep - €1,350 for 50% of parts, all the labour and the other bits like the oil change needed etc. Will pull the invoice later and double check.

Idbatterim · 15-04-2014 1:45pm

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Bmw-N47-Turbo-N4720da-120d-320d-520d-177-Bhp-/221413601325?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item338d47702d

macrubicon · 16-04-2014 7:26am

macrubicon wrote: »

Yep - €1,350 for 50% of parts, all the labour and the other bits like the oil change needed etc. Will pull the invoice later and double check.

€1,388 ex VAT for the job - €1,575 all in. My brain must have been trying to do me a favour remembering the ex VAT price!

Suasdaguna1 · 16-04-2014 8:01am

burke027 wrote: »

This is a common enough problem but I doubt off BMW the total cost is 1350.

I work in a BMW Indy and the turbo is about 500 so then labour on top of that.

But the price quoted by BMW I'd say is just the turbo.
Also as mentioned google the timing chain issue as this is gona happen next but BMW won't cover that so that will be another nice bill for you to add up. The timing chain job is a engine out also

I have a bmw warranty on a 09 520d for two years with 83k on clock.....this covers if chain goes ping and turbo blows.... Re the timing chain, theres loads of 520ds on DD with gallizion of miles. Its just like the porsche 911 996 issues with rms/ims......you only hear of the ones that go bang as agains the majority that never give probs

burke027 · 16-04-2014 2:03pm

Suasdaguna1 wrote: »

I have a bmw warranty on a 09 520d for two years with 83k on clock.....this covers if chain goes ping and turbo blows.... Re the timing chain, theres loads of 520ds on DD with gallizion of miles. Its just like the porsche 911 996 issues with rms/ims......you only hear of the ones that go bang as agains the majority that never give probs

This info is incorrect. Alone this week we have 3 520ds with the engines out because the chain is giving trouble. The problem is a lot more widespread then you think.
We deal with these cars and problems on a daily bases.

HandsomeDan · 16-04-2014 3:04pm

burke027 wrote: »

This info is incorrect. Alone this week we have 3 520ds with the engines out because the chain is giving trouble. The problem is a lot more widespread then you think.
We deal with these cars and problems on a daily bases.

Preventative maintenance. How many do you get with the chain actually gone?

Tons of high milers on DD- no problems.

bazz26 · 16-04-2014 4:31pm

burke027 wrote: »

This info is incorrect. Alone this week we have 3 520ds with the engines out because the chain is giving trouble. The problem is a lot more widespread then you think.
We deal with these cars and problems on a daily bases.

I have a feeling you maybe wasting your time talking to some people as they simply don't want to acknowledge the problem. These chains are failing regularly while others get noisy like a bag of spanners as a warning to an inevitable failure. And they can fail at any mileage.

A recent poll here over on bmw-driver.net by owners shows that almost 30% have suffered some sort of timing chain issue. That is a lot more than just a few.
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=47070&page=4

Another thread here on the issue:
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=42689

Plenty of indy specialists over there replacing them frequently enough. And Joe Duffy seems to be making a few bob from replacing them on newer stuff too. I'm reading that F10s are now starting to need them replaced also:
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=93801

Another one here from post# 2:
http://www.bmw-driver.net/forum/showthread.php?t=45918

It's more common than some people want to believe.

secman · 16-04-2014 4:52pm

I replaced a turbo on an 06 320D in 2011 with only 65,000 miles on the clock, parts cost €1350 and labour another €500, had a compelte service done whilst it was stripped down. Sold it at the end of march 14 with 115,000 miles on the clock .... the Dual mass flywheel was getting very noisy. Mechanic told me that from 09 onwards the timing chains are giving grief ..........

Needless to say I didn't replace it with a BMW.

McGilla · 17-04-2014 4:22pm

Anybody have any experience with www.turbo-service.ie?

I just spoke to a guy there who can replace turbo with reconditioned unit for €700 including labor.

This includes oil pipes too! - They are giving me 12 months warranty also!
They are in Greenogue Ind estate.

Since I got a quote of €3,200 from Frank Keane - this seems almost too good to be true!

macrubicon · 22-04-2014 12:15pm

McGilla wrote: »

Anybody have any experience with www.turbo-service.ie?

Since I got a quote of €3,200 from Frank Keane - this seems almost too good to be true!

I would be asking them if this includes any goodwill from BMW Ireland. It's worth asking as I got the 50% parts cover without any question.

Gumbo · 22-04-2014 2:12pm

macrubicon wrote: »

I would be asking them if this includes any goodwill from BMW Ireland. It's worth asking as I got the 50% parts cover without any question.

Obviously it wouldnt as its a third party repair. All BMW goodwills have to start with a BMW diagnostic in the main dealer. Ive had 3 goodwills from BMW in my life time.

macrubicon · 23-04-2014 9:21am

kceire wrote: »

Obviously it wouldnt as its a third party repair. All BMW goodwills have to start with a BMW diagnostic in the main dealer. Ive had 3 goodwills from BMW in my life time.

Was referring to the Frank Keane quote not the turbo service one.

Bio Mech · 23-04-2014 11:06am

HandsomeDan wrote: »

Preventative maintenance. How many do you get with the chain actually gone?

Tons of high milers on DD- no problems.

You can hardly assume that just because they are on DD that there are no problems. DD is hardly a refuge for the honest.

the culture of deference · 23-04-2014 1:28pm

any prices for repairs from bmw up north.

what about uk repair rates

Idbatterim · 23-04-2014 1:43pm

can the bearings not be replaced?

lomb · 23-04-2014 1:45pm

Badly designed.. I wouldnt buy a car that had major faults built in especially not a premium German car. The problem is the frequent update cycle and possibly poor engineering causing the problem.

McGilla · 30-04-2014 10:03am

So I get the Turbo replaced byhttp://turbo-service.ie

They said a blocked DPF Filter was causing the Turbo to fail, which sound about right... a new DPF is €2000, so they suggested removing it and re-mapping teh car.

All sounded a bit drastic!
I did a bit of research and it seemed that it wasn't as drastic as I first thought! (wont effect NCT)

They removed the DPF, remapped the car, replaced the turbo with a refurbished one as well as filters, oils and pipes!
I received a 1 year full warranty on the Turbo.

All in - they charged me €900

(A great price, but still would rather not have to pay it!)

My advise to anyone buying a BMW 520D - remove the DPF before it causes any problems.

YbFocus · 30-04-2014 10:29am

Make sure your crankcase breather filter has been changed recently too, if these get clogged it'll also finish your turbo pretty quick.

bazz26 · 30-04-2014 12:40pm

YbFocus wrote: »

Make sure your crankcase breather filter has been changed recently too, if these get clogged it'll also finish your turbo pretty quick.

It was redesigned on them in late 2007 so no need for the OP to have it changed.

YbFocus · 30-04-2014 12:45pm

It was to the vortex type and thats what I have retrofitted to mine also.

But I've heard from numerous sources that it still needs at least a thorough clean every three or so services as gunk still builds on it and starts to close the walls of the vortex's in.
I am opening mine in a couple of weeks at the next service to see how its doing. I'll know better then.

discombobulate · 30-04-2014 1:14pm

McGilla wrote: »

So I get the Turbo replaced byhttp://turbo-service.ie

They said a blocked DPF Filter was causing the Turbo to fail, which sound about right... a new DPF is €2000, so they suggested removing it and re-mapping teh car.

All sounded a bit drastic!
I did a bit of research and it seemed that it wasn't as drastic as I first thought! (wont effect NCT)

They removed the DPF, remapped the car, replaced the turbo with a refurbished one as well as filters, oils and pipes!
I received a 1 year full warranty on the Turbo.

All in - they charged me €900
(A great price, but still would rather not have to pay it!)

My advise to anyone buying a BMW 520D - remove the DPF before it causes any problems.

Just hope that the NCT doesn't start to take up what the MOT in the UK did at the end of last year and test the DPF!

Source

Also the DPF generally gives issues in a Diesel when your doing a lot of short spins rather than letting the engine warm up properly. What sort of mileage and runs would you usually do?

Idbatterim · 30-04-2014 3:16pm

is there a noticeable difference after the remap?

McGilla · 01-05-2014 1:57pm

Idbatterim wrote: »

is there a noticeable difference after the remap?

No - it wasn't a power re-map.
Just a slight fix to stop the warning of DPF filter fault (as it was removed)

YbFocus · 01-05-2014 2:10pm

McGilla wrote: »

No - it wasn't a power re-map.
Just a slight fix to stop the warning of DPF filter fault (as it was removed)

Same as my own 530d so, just a little map to make it forget it had one

PCDave · 24-09-2015 1:01pm

Was driving to work this morning and my engine suddenly lost power and I started to hear a whine coming from the engine when I pressed the accelerator.
Sounds like it's the turbo that's gone. No engine lights on and nothing reporting in the display.Got breakdown assistance to bring it to the BMW dealership. They haven't looked at it yet but told me if it's the turbo, I'm looking at €2,500 part and labour.I asked about BMW goodwill and was told that the car is too old now!!
Gutted.....not what I expected from this car.Had an Audi A4 before this and no problem with it.It'll be getting the road once I have this sorted out.

Stallingrad · 24-09-2015 2:39pm

PCDave wrote: »

Was driving to work this morning and my engine suddenly lost power and I started to hear a whine coming from the engine when I pressed the accelerator.
Sounds like it's the turbo that's gone. No engine lights on and nothing reporting in the display.Got breakdown assistance to bring it to the BMW dealership. They haven't looked at it yet but told me if it's the turbo, I'm looking at €2,500 part and labour.I asked about BMW goodwill and was told that the car is too old now!!
Gutted.....not what I expected from this car.Had an Audi A4 before this and no problem with it.It'll be getting the road once I have this sorted out.

Get the car out of the main dealer now! Off to a good Indy.

George Dalton · 24-09-2015 2:50pm

As above. What year is the car?

McGilla · 24-09-2015 3:50pm

Couldn't agree More!

Main dealer quoted me €2,400!

I got it done by http://www.turbo-service.ie for €900
They included new turbo, also removed DPF Filter (which is causing turbo failure anyway)

Its been running perfect for over a year now!

Couldn't recommend enough!

galwaytt · 24-09-2015 4:26pm

burke027 wrote: »

This info is incorrect. Alone this week we have 3 520ds with the engines out because the chain is giving trouble. The problem is a lot more widespread then you think.
We deal with these cars and problems on a daily bases.

I know a guy who's had his repaired TWICE !! :eek:

Cerco · 24-09-2015 7:54pm

McGilla wrote: »

Couldn't agree More!

Main dealer quoted me €2,400!

I got it done by http://www.turbo-service.ie for €900
They included new turbo, also removed DPF Filter (which is causing turbo failure anyway)

Its been running perfect for over a year now!

Couldn't recommend enough!

Do you have any problems with emissions test by NCT with the filter removed?

McGilla · 29-09-2015 3:17pm

Cerco wrote: »

Do you have any problems with emissions test by NCT with the filter removed?

No - I passed NCT no problem.
DPF filter isn't required for NCT.

I couldn't recommend enough!

millington · 29-09-2015 4:41pm

It's beyond me why people think that turbos are a big issue on these cars. Every single diesel in the past 15 years has the same issues so don't blame BMW for that (timing chain issues a different story)

HandsomeDan · 30-09-2015 1:55pm

McGilla wrote: »

No - I passed NCT no problem.
DPF filter isn't required for NCT.

I couldn't recommend enough!

DPF checks are going to be introduced to the NCT. I wouldn't be recommending people have functioning DPFs removed from their cars...:rolleyes:

McGilla · 05-10-2015 2:58pm

HandsomeDan wrote: »

DPF checks are going to be introduced to the NCT. I wouldn't be recommending people have functioning DPFs removed from their cars...:rolleyes:

Source for your info?

FR85 · 05-10-2015 4:35pm

McGilla wrote: »

Source for your info?

Also, how will they test for them? Will they hook your car up to a laptop and look for it, will it be a visual check to see that it is still a part of the system other then a straight through pipe or will NO2 or whatever it is show up that it isn't present?

canhefixit · 05-10-2015 5:05pm

Man i would be sick to splash out so much for a fresh bmw only to be hit with timimg chain problems and possible turbo issues and the costs assiocated to them and for that reason I wont be having one on my driveway any time soon!

deandean · 05-10-2015 7:17pm

Anyone with a bmw 2 litre diesel you should be changing the engine oil every 10000km. The official bmw oil change intervals are downright dangerous for the chain and turbo. You can have one with 50k km on the clock and only one oil change!

bear1 · 06-10-2015 9:24am

Mcgilla, do you happen to work for turbo-service?

McGilla · 06-10-2015 11:59am

bear1 wrote: »

Mcgilla, do you happen to work for turbo-service?

No - I'm just a fan after unreal service i received!
Check OP - it's me stuck and panicking.

dr.fuzzenstein · 06-10-2015 12:16pm

deandean wrote: »

Anyone with a bmw 2 litre diesel you should be changing the engine oil every 10000km. The official bmw oil change intervals are downright dangerous for the chain and turbo. You can have one with 50k km on the clock and only one oil change!

Wow, 10k km? We're back to 1983 Escort with 15w40 territory! Id' be doing oil changes every other month.
I'm glad I drive a 1.8 diesel Ford, turbo has done 345k km and same goes for the chain. And that's with a service every 20k km.

chriity139 · 07-10-2015 12:19pm

deandean wrote: »

Anyone with a bmw 2 litre diesel you should be changing the engine oil every 10000km. The official bmw oil change intervals are downright dangerous for the chain and turbo. You can have one with 50k km on the clock and only one oil change!

This I change my oil every 10k kms and gearbox oil ever 20k kms. I have a 535d with high mileage and never had any problems so far.

As said above bmw want you to wait 20-30k kms before changing fluids. Imagine the amount of gunk that would be built up in the engine over this time with the same oil

dr.fuzzenstein · 07-10-2015 12:36pm

Seriously, if a car has massive buildup of gunk after 20k km, there is a problem with the oil or the engine.

Edit:
Unless the car is only used to pootle to the shops every couple of days.

aristotle25 · 07-10-2015 12:56pm

chriity139 wrote: »

This I change my oil every 10k kms and gearbox oil ever 20k kms. I have a 535d with high mileage and never had any problems so far.

As said above bmw want you to wait 20-30k kms before changing fluids. Imagine the amount of gunk that would be built up in the engine over this time with the same oil

Where do you get the gearbox oil changed?
Every 20km seems very excessive?

I have a 535d as well and change the oil every 10k km but never changed the gearbox oil with 200k km done. There are different opinions on the gearbox oil change and some independents say don't mess with the gearbox unless it causes problems. I tend to agree.

FR85 · 14-10-2015 12:48pm

aristotle25 wrote: »

Where do you get the gearbox oil changed?
Every 20km seems very excessive?

I have a 535d as well and change the oil every 10k km but never changed the gearbox oil with 200k km done. There are different opinions on the gearbox oil change and some independents say don't mess with the gearbox unless it causes problems. I tend to agree.

With the VW 6 Speed manual I was told by my dealer that you don't need to do the oil at all and that it's a "sealed for life item".

chriity139 · 14-10-2015 2:54pm

I only have the car about 8k miles so far. I have already done an oil change. Usually with all my other cars I've had I would change the gearbox oil that often. I don't know if it needs to be done but its just for my piece of mind.

I get everything done through Dave Courtney. I will ask him his advice about the gearbox oil.

Aristole25 how do you find the 535d ?

chriity139 · 14-10-2015 2:54pm

I only have the car about 8k miles so far. I have already done an oil change. Usually with all my other cars I've had I would change the gearbox oil that often. I don't know if it needs to be done but its just for my piece of mind.

I get everything done through Dave Courtney. I will ask him his advice about the gearbox oil.

Aristole25 how do you find the 535d ?

aristotle25 · 14-10-2015 4:29pm

chriity139 wrote: »

Aristole25 how do you find the 535d ?

I have it for 4 years and I do love driving it. Its a big saloon car with bags of power and is comfortable in the city and in particular for long drives on motorways where its effortless to drive.

Plenty I don't like too. It is very costly to maintain properly as a lot of things need to be fixed in it once you start going over 75k miles in my experience. I have 135k miles on it now and even since January I have spent €2k fixing things (ignoring a service and 4 tyres).

Turbo sensor value thing, various control arms and bushes, turbo hose leaks etc.

It is an 8 year old car but certainly two other 8 year old cars I used to have (Octavia, ford focus) were nearly trouble free. I know you cant compare a 535d to an Octavia but there has still been more things to fix that I would have expected.

Hopefully I have fixed so much at this stage it will keep going to 200k miles now.

Also, get yourself a code reader and check for any error codes yourself every few weeks rather than waiting for things to get so bad that the car breaks down. And use a good independent mechanic rather that a BMW dealer for anything other than a service.

I will certainly be looking at the A6 or A7 for my next car in a few years but wouldn't rule our a 7 series sport though.

Turbo replacement! BMW 520D?

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