N47 320dED, mad to consider one with high miles?!
Discussion
Okay, everyone knows about the n47 timing chain issue, but just how common is it I wonder? There are tons of BMWs around with this engine, many with well over 100K miles on.
So, would you be mad to buy a 2011 110K mile 320 efficient dynamics if its been looked after? I seem to recall some adjustment was made around 2011 and 2011 cars onwards aren't as problematic. These cars can achieve amazing fuel economy so for me at the moment faced with a new contract potentially, with a 140 mile commute, a 320d is quite tempting as a commuter car, compared with the equivalent Passat/Mondeo type car! So, would one that's done mostly motorway miles be a no, no?
The thing is that photo above is not an ED believe they had better MPG than the normal 2 ltr......re Mondeo comment from OP if they had a 3ltr Derv like BMW thats where my money would have gone but they dont hence my new 330d which on my recent london to wakefield and back gave 49mpg ,as a 3ltr isnt on your radar why not a Mondeo? and that one of a few years ago drives better than the latest one by all accounts
Well OP, I had a 57 plate 123d with the N47 engine from pre-reg in January 2008 to 81K miles in July 2012.
Only had 2 unexpected issues, battery and starter motor - so if you decide to buy one TURN THE STOP/START OFF!
Battery being an AGM wallet drain vartiant cost over £250 as the OBD needs to be told the car has a new one, and the starter motor is just an opportunity for BMW to have your trousers down (£600 ish).
So before the "Quality Enhancement" was invented I sold it so I wouldn't have to scrap it. (POS).
Potential time-bomb IMHO - now I have straight 6 petrol BMWs, and would never go back to a tractor!
Only had 2 unexpected issues, battery and starter motor - so if you decide to buy one TURN THE STOP/START OFF!
Battery being an AGM wallet drain vartiant cost over £250 as the OBD needs to be told the car has a new one, and the starter motor is just an opportunity for BMW to have your trousers down (£600 ish).
So before the "Quality Enhancement" was invented I sold it so I wouldn't have to scrap it. (POS).
Potential time-bomb IMHO - now I have straight 6 petrol BMWs, and would never go back to a tractor!
smashy said:
The thing is that photo above is not an ED believe they had better MPG than the normal 2 ltr......re Mondeo comment from OP if they had a 3ltr Derv like BMW thats where my money would have gone but they dont hence my new 330d which on my recent london to wakefield and back gave 49mpg ,as a 3ltr isnt on your radar why not a Mondeo? and that one of a few years ago drives better than the latest one by all accounts
Re Mondeo comment. Nothing wrong with them at all, the BMW appeals because its RWD and whilst it might not seem relevant on a motorway commute, since buying an MX-5 last year, I've become smitten with the feel of a RWD car....Would love a 330d, but my budget would only buy a ten year old model. Also, not sure I really NEED a 3 litre engine for my commute. I know the 320 ED does over 60 MPG on a run in the real world from people who've owned them, better than any Mondeo in the real world (even my mate's 1.6 econetic cant live with that) and is more than fast enough in the 50-90 real world Motorway acceleration bracket...
greenarrow said:
Okay, everyone knows about the n47 timing chain issue, but just how common is it I wonder?
Very.It's a £1000 job to replace it all before it breaks - on manuals you can pull the gearbox and flywheel off and do the job with the engine in situ. By 80'000 miles most of them are showing signs of distress and not that many get past 150'000.
An N47 with the chain done is a great engine though.
iSore said:
Very.
It's a £1000 job to replace it all before it breaks - on manuals you can pull the gearbox and flywheel off and do the job with the engine in situ. By 80'000 miles most of them are showing signs of distress and not that many get past 150'000.
An N47 with the chain done is a great engine though.
Thanks for that - makes me feel so much better for selling my N47 at 81K miles before the "Quality Enhancement" B*llocks - older straight 6 petrol only for me now!It's a £1000 job to replace it all before it breaks - on manuals you can pull the gearbox and flywheel off and do the job with the engine in situ. By 80'000 miles most of them are showing signs of distress and not that many get past 150'000.
An N47 with the chain done is a great engine though.
Anyone had one done whilst having a clutch done?
My 2011 318D munches the miles, currently at 120k and has never had anything other then service items, it's still on original front brakes in fact.
The £1000 bill doesn't scare me that much, as I've had some wallet munching cars in the past.
But wondering if the clutch ever lets go,if it's worth it cost wise to just have the chain and relevant bits done aswell as a preventative measure.
Regarding economy...mine averages 41mpg.... but did 51mpg on a trip to Amsterdam recently.
My 2011 318D munches the miles, currently at 120k and has never had anything other then service items, it's still on original front brakes in fact.
The £1000 bill doesn't scare me that much, as I've had some wallet munching cars in the past.
But wondering if the clutch ever lets go,if it's worth it cost wise to just have the chain and relevant bits done aswell as a preventative measure.
Regarding economy...mine averages 41mpg.... but did 51mpg on a trip to Amsterdam recently.
Cheapstraitsix said:
Anyone had one done whilst having a clutch done?
My 2011 318D munches the miles, currently at 120k and has never had anything other then service items, it's still on original front brakes in fact.
The £1000 bill doesn't scare me that much, as I've had some wallet munching cars in the past.
But wondering if the clutch ever lets go,if it's worth it cost wise to just have the chain and relevant bits done aswell as a preventative measure.
Regarding economy...mine averages 41mpg.... but did 51mpg on a trip to Amsterdam recently.
Certainly makes sense because most of the labour on a chain job is removing the prop, gearbox, flywheel and clutch.My 2011 318D munches the miles, currently at 120k and has never had anything other then service items, it's still on original front brakes in fact.
The £1000 bill doesn't scare me that much, as I've had some wallet munching cars in the past.
But wondering if the clutch ever lets go,if it's worth it cost wise to just have the chain and relevant bits done aswell as a preventative measure.
Regarding economy...mine averages 41mpg.... but did 51mpg on a trip to Amsterdam recently.
At 120'000 it would be madness not to spend the extra - and it won't be a grand extra either.
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