BMW N47 timing chain issue
Discussion
I had pretty much made up my mind I wanted a 2007on 120d as my next car,
until a bit of googling brought up the N47 engines timing chain problems.
Am I overreacting if I now dismiss owning any N47 engined car? or are the internet stories of this problem overinflating how common the problem actually is?
I have had a two n47 powered cars and I wouldn't want one without a warranty. The age you are looking at falls within a batch of faulty cranks whose teeth contributed to chain failure. I don't think this issue has necessarily been overblown though in percentage terms failure rate is quite low - trouble is you need a new engine if it happens to you!
Do you need to have a 2007 model ?
I've got a 2006, only 14bhp less and of course the well proven M47.
Ok, I dont have stop start, but I'll take that over a timing chain timebomb anyday of the week.
If you only wanted newer for more power, get a slightly older one and put some of the cash saved towards a remap
I've got a 2006, only 14bhp less and of course the well proven M47.
Ok, I dont have stop start, but I'll take that over a timing chain timebomb anyday of the week.
If you only wanted newer for more power, get a slightly older one and put some of the cash saved towards a remap
MondeoMan1981 said:
Do you need to have a 2007 model ?
I've got a 2006, only 14bhp less and of course the well proven M47.
Ok, I dont have stop start, but I'll take that over a timing chain timebomb anyday of the week.
If you only wanted newer for more power, get a slightly older one and put some of the cash saved towards a remap
doesn't have to be bang on 2007, going by my budget I was confident I could afford a 2007/2008/2009 model 120dI've got a 2006, only 14bhp less and of course the well proven M47.
Ok, I dont have stop start, but I'll take that over a timing chain timebomb anyday of the week.
If you only wanted newer for more power, get a slightly older one and put some of the cash saved towards a remap
also I want a 3dr - i don't think i've seen any pre2007 3dr 120d's.
Sorry for the thread revival, but I think the topic is still relevant.
I was researching facelift e87 1 series to replace a rotting e46 and came across this N47 timing chain problem that I'd only heard about in passing until now.
Not quite sure how worried you should be. My dad has a 2009 520d which I think means it's an N47. Anecdotal I know but on about 70,000 miles without a whiff of a problem. I suspect BMW churn out so many of these engines (possible their most sold engine?) that there are less % problems than it seems.
I was researching facelift e87 1 series to replace a rotting e46 and came across this N47 timing chain problem that I'd only heard about in passing until now.
Not quite sure how worried you should be. My dad has a 2009 520d which I think means it's an N47. Anecdotal I know but on about 70,000 miles without a whiff of a problem. I suspect BMW churn out so many of these engines (possible their most sold engine?) that there are less % problems than it seems.
Hi, I use to worry about this problem until I heard every single N47 stuck in many traffic jams going to work, they all sound the same, so noise has nothing to do with timing chain imo, unless its a really bad noise.
Like you say BMW make so many of these engines its such a small percentage that has been blown way out of proportion, obviously gutting if your an unlucky one.
I run a 2008(58) 118d with 115,000 on it engine oil changed every 8-10,000, sounds rattly but they all do...my mums 318d 62 plate sounds exactly the same with 10,000 on the clock.
If you Google any car they all have terminal problems of sorts.
Like you say BMW make so many of these engines its such a small percentage that has been blown way out of proportion, obviously gutting if your an unlucky one.
I run a 2008(58) 118d with 115,000 on it engine oil changed every 8-10,000, sounds rattly but they all do...my mums 318d 62 plate sounds exactly the same with 10,000 on the clock.
If you Google any car they all have terminal problems of sorts.
Ive a 2010 318 sports tourer. At 94 k the chain snapped. 2 kids in back...lost all power obviously...was on a dual carrigeway, uphill overtaking. Car was serviced had FSH , 3 or 4 most recent ones were not bmw garages.
After a few weeks off the road, receiving quotes for a recon engine at almost 5k fitted, having hassled bmw central to no avail. I took to local bmw garage for investigation work capped at £500 +vat. Was less in end.
They then sent in a goodwill claim to BMW who paid out the local garages bill to almost 11k.
I paid £1150 near enough with oils. Their offer was 100% of the parts, 80% of labour charge. In my eyes. I now have a rebuilt engine, oil changed and good to go for a while! BMW dont want any negativity towards their brand and were happy to save their face. I hope this eases anyones feares and guides anyone who has had the dreaded snap! Just been the length of wales and shes going like a dream 👍
After a few weeks off the road, receiving quotes for a recon engine at almost 5k fitted, having hassled bmw central to no avail. I took to local bmw garage for investigation work capped at £500 +vat. Was less in end.
They then sent in a goodwill claim to BMW who paid out the local garages bill to almost 11k.
I paid £1150 near enough with oils. Their offer was 100% of the parts, 80% of labour charge. In my eyes. I now have a rebuilt engine, oil changed and good to go for a while! BMW dont want any negativity towards their brand and were happy to save their face. I hope this eases anyones feares and guides anyone who has had the dreaded snap! Just been the length of wales and shes going like a dream 👍
Webbman said:
Ive a 2010 318 sports tourer. At 94 k the chain snapped. 2 kids in back...lost all power obviously...was on a dual carrigeway, uphill overtaking. Car was serviced had FSH , 3 or 4 most recent ones were not bmw garages.
After a few weeks off the road, receiving quotes for a recon engine at almost 5k fitted, having hassled bmw central to no avail. I took to local bmw garage for investigation work capped at £500 +vat. Was less in end.
They then sent in a goodwill claim to BMW who paid out the local garages bill to almost 11k.
I paid £1150 near enough with oils. Their offer was 100% of the parts, 80% of labour charge. In my eyes. I now have a rebuilt engine, oil changed and good to go for a while! BMW dont want any negativity towards their brand and were happy to save their face. I hope this eases anyones feares and guides anyone who has had the dreaded snap! Just been the length of wales and shes going like a dream ??
What service history was it? It's pretty common knowledge now that long service intervals e.g 20k between oil services, or basically a BMW service history are a death sentence to the timing chain - 10k max change from now on.After a few weeks off the road, receiving quotes for a recon engine at almost 5k fitted, having hassled bmw central to no avail. I took to local bmw garage for investigation work capped at £500 +vat. Was less in end.
They then sent in a goodwill claim to BMW who paid out the local garages bill to almost 11k.
I paid £1150 near enough with oils. Their offer was 100% of the parts, 80% of labour charge. In my eyes. I now have a rebuilt engine, oil changed and good to go for a while! BMW dont want any negativity towards their brand and were happy to save their face. I hope this eases anyones feares and guides anyone who has had the dreaded snap! Just been the length of wales and shes going like a dream ??
Had 118d N47 2008 - 180k no issues but oil was dumped every 8/10k.
Now running a 318d N47 2012 - 98k same routine again
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