Timing Chain Failure

myshirt · 30-03-2014 7:08pm #1

Before anyone says it, I apologise. It's another thread on BMW timing chains on the N47.

I've one of these and I'm getting scared.

What are the influencing factors, or is it just simply a plain ticking time bomb you can't avoid?

corkgsxr · 30-03-2014 7:55pm

Servicing right is the best way. Its usually then oil is left to long.

service it slightly earlier. Theres alot of benefits to other parts too

unkel · 30-03-2014 8:12pm

If you have a full BMWSH and are under 100k miles, I wouldn't worry about it. BMW will cover most / all of the cost if the chain breaks

If not, sell it. Now.

JohnBoy26 · 30-03-2014 8:31pm

corkgsxr wrote: »

Servicing right is the best way. Its usually then oil is left to long.

service it slightly earlier. Theres alot of benefits to other parts too

a mate of mine had the chain go on his 09 520d a few months ago, that's despite having a full bmw service history.

zapata · 30-03-2014 8:40pm

This seems like a bargain for 50 squids.... :rolleyes:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/damagedcars-for-sale/bmw-n47-2-0d-chain-problems-we-fix-it/5734813

myshirt · 30-03-2014 8:50pm

I ignore the cbs and change the oil every 12,000 miles or 12 months. Usually every 12k, as I'm doing about 16-18k miles annually.

30-03-2014 8:54pm

zapata wrote: »

This seems like a bargain for 50 squids.... :rolleyes:
http://cars.donedeal.ie/damagedcars-for-sale/bmw-n47-2-0d-chain-problems-we-fix-it/5734813

That's actually Valdas in motor confidence. Here's a thread showing the work involved. http://www.bmwhaus.ie/forum/showthread.php?tid=2310

Obviously it's going to cost more than €50 but his prices are very reasonable and worth the peace of mind.

Blazer · 30-03-2014 9:05pm

what's it cost?
I've a 07 520D SE but I'd like to go to a 08/09 Msport but the chain is putting me off it.
If I had to pay a couple of hundred to avoid it I'd surely go this route.

corkgsxr · 30-03-2014 9:27pm

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

a mate of mine had the chain go on his 09 520d a few months ago, that's despite having a full bmw service history.

O im not saying it doesnt but thats the only thing you can do besides replacement.

bazz26 · 30-03-2014 10:02pm

unkel wrote: »

If you have a full BMWSH and are under 100k miles, I wouldn't worry about it. BMW will cover most / all of the cost if the chain breaks

If not, sell it. Now.

They normally only cover the cost of the parts assuming you qualify for goodwill. You will still have to pay the labour on the work which can work out more expensive than getting the parts and job done by a good indy garage.

BMW offering goodwill in this case imo is nothing more than a PR stunt in turning around a serious design flaw into drumming up a nice bit of work for their franchised dealers.

BTW all the servicing in the world will not prevent this issue if it unfortunately happens to your car. There is no fixed mileage at when it happens either.

unkel · 30-03-2014 10:28pm

It is of course a design flaw. All BMWs have had timing chains for about 30 years and there has never been an issue with any of them, until the 2l diesel N47 engine.

To be fair though, most cars with the issue have over 100k miles on them, are years out of warranty and it seems many were not serviced properly.

In the few detailed cases I have read about (UK cars), BMW picked up (nearly all of) the tab. Are you sure they only cover parts here?

bazz26 · 30-03-2014 10:39pm

Anything I heard about over here has generally been parts only and maybe a percentage of labour at best.

unkel · 31-03-2014 12:08am

bazz26 wrote: »

Anything I heard about over here has generally been parts only and maybe a percentage of labour at best.

Really? If I owned a BMW with that 4 cylinder diesel engine (unlikely on both counts - why the hell would I want to own a diesel BMW? With just 4 cylinders?

) I would make sure BMW would cover 100% of the costs.

I have seen several cases (in the media) where BMW paid 100% of the costs. Maybe you are talking about Irish owners saying "sure it'll be grand"?

jca · 31-03-2014 3:08am

unkel wrote: »

Really? If I owned a BMW with that 4 cylinder diesel engine (unlikely on both counts - why the hell would I want to own a diesel BMW? With just 4 cylinders? ) I would make sure BMW would cover 100% of the costs.

I have seen several cases (in the media) where BMW paid 100% of the costs. Maybe you are talking about Irish owners saying "sure it'll be grand"?

I think it unlikely that someone faced with a hefty repair bill for what's perceived to be a Premium brand and definitely premium priced car saying "shur it'll be grand" be they Irish or not. You must think we're all cap touching gombeens:mad:

dr.fuzzenstein · 31-03-2014 10:51am

jca wrote: »

I think it unlikely that someone faced with a hefty repair bill for what's perceived to be a Premium brand and definitely premium priced car saying "shur it'll be grand" be they Irish or not. You must think we're all cap touching gombeens:mad:

I think it's more of a case of the Irish consumer getting screwed as usual, due to lack of coordination, Ireland being a small market and the car manufacturers not caring what happens here and also (and this is a big point imo) the media here not being as aggressive (mixture of laziness, no balls and receiving sponsorship) as in the UK when pursuing these matters.

BraveDonut · 31-03-2014 1:35pm

cisk wrote: »

That's actually Valdas in motor confidence. Here's a thread showing the work involved. http://www.bmwhaus.ie/forum/showthread.php?tid=2310

Obviously it's going to cost more than €50 but his prices are very reasonable and worth the peace of mind.

Has anyone had this done? What was the final cost? Was it worth it?

BraveDonut · 31-03-2014 1:42pm

Nevermind - I misunderstood.

myshirt · 31-03-2014 5:42pm

unkel wrote: »

It is of course a design flaw. All BMWs have had timing chains for about 30 years and there has never been an issue with any of them, until the 2l diesel N47 engine.

To be fair though, most cars with the issue have over 100k miles on them, are years out of warranty and it seems many were not serviced properly.

In the few detailed cases I have read about (UK cars), BMW picked up (nearly all of) the tab. Are you sure they only cover parts here?

I haven't a hope so with only part BMW service history, and repair works done outside BMW network.

Got done for a flywheel, clutchkit, crankshaft pulley and cylinders. Really bad run of luck with this car.

I do service it every 12,000 miles though. Is there anything else I can do to prevent this timing chain problem? Bar selling, or an engine out job.

dr.fuzzenstein · 31-03-2014 6:18pm

myshirt wrote: »

I haven't a hope so with only part BMW service history, and repair works done outside BMW network.

Got done for a flywheel, clutchkit, crankshaft pulley and cylinders. Really bad run of luck with this car.

I do service it every 12,000 miles though. Is there anything else I can do to prevent this timing chain problem? Bar selling, or an engine out job.

Cylinders? What on earth was wrong with them? Has that car got more than half a million miles on it?
Looks like BMW's these days are about as reliable and well-built as a 70's British Leyland car...

unkel · 01-04-2014 9:39am

BMW Ireland's official position (quoted in the Irish Times):

BMW operates a generous goodwill policy and will consider financial help, depending on the specific circumstances of each case. Where a fault has occurred on a vehicle with relatively low mileage, which has been serviced within the BMW network, the company may cover most of the repair cost out of goodwill, despite being outside of the warranty period

Timing Chain Failure

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