Timing chain on 2015 F30

nailstar

Hi all,

I have a 3 series F30 316D SE with 208km on the clock - full BMW service history and it looks like the timing chain is causing a noise. Driving perfectly and no warning lights. I switched it off and got it towed. Currently in a local garage and he thought it might have been flywheel or camshaft pulley but has now ruled those out. He said he would need to take out the gearbox in order to get to the chain - I'm just waiting on him to confirm that's what it is - he has said it's going to cost 4k, I checked with the BMW dealer and this is what they charge so I'm a bit dubious that he wants the same - first of all I don't have that kind of money sitting there, and I also have 4k outstanding finance on it.

I suppose I'm looking for a bit of advice as to what would be best to do - 1, Get the car back and look for someone else to do the job a bit cheaper, Is 4k a normal price for this? 2, Take it back and get an engine rebuild or 3, try to get a trade in/sell as it is - I know I will be down money no matter what I do, but I don't know how much confidence I would have in the car even if it was repaired and I'd most likely trade it in anyway in a few months.

Any advice?

dodzy

4K for a chain from an Indy ? Daylight robbery.

akelly02

trade in . easier than finding a lad that isnt going to ride ya

nailstar

Thanks for the feedback guys…. my gut feeling is to try trade it..

Look at the overall picture for a second, 208k isn't too much (130,000miles) you said you have 4k owed in finance and I think you'd get that job done at an independent for 3,000 max. So 7k all in if you were to get it fixed, if your happy with the car and no other issues with it I'd consider keeping it.

With the current mileage, you could privately sell it, first thing anyone is going to check on a private sale is has the chain been done as that chassis is notorious for it I believe, I think it was mainly fixed by 2016 models upwards and if you don't have proof of it being fixed it's going to be a really hard sell.

Trading in your going to get around 12-13k for it I would say minus what you owe on it so 8-9k max. In order to even move across to something decent you're looking at financing another 10k minimum just doing some fast maths on it.

TLDR: if your happy with the car, keep it and get the chain fixed by a reputable BMW specialist independent (theres loads of forum posts on where people have gotten this done all over the country with no issue afterwards) or for peace of mind, main dealer.

If you dont want to keep the car, its a hard private sell (you've already lost confidence in it) and your going to lose a lot on a trade in and will need to finance heavily to get similar model.

Educate

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120876045#Comment_120876045

I'd do this personally. Don't underestimate the car you know versus the **** show that buying can be.

Not sure if the charter allows posting of specific companies but if you want I can pm one I linked with about my F10 N47T timing chain replacement at less than half what you've been quoted. They are also one of the two that get mentioned here a lot for this work.

nailstar

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120876737#Comment_120876737

Thanks so much, would you mind PM’ing me please?

the gearbox and exhaust is currently off the car as they had to be removed to get to the back of the engine, so my bill is currently €500 and if I want it put back with no work done it’s another €500 so I’m down 1k as it is.

a bit of a mess but when you’re stranded and told to turn off the engine there’s not a lot that can be done

I wouldn’t have been more than happy to drive the car for another year or 2…. I do about 25k km per year

User1998

Curious as to what noise you actually heard? A timing chain thats on its way out usually rattles for a few seconds on start up and then quiets down

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120877666#Comment_120877666

I commented above 3,000 max but I reckon you'll get it done for a reputable place under that. At 25k per year, I'd just keep the car and drive it till it can go more, it's 8 years old and has lost most of it's resale value.

Let us know how you get on