N47 Timing Chain failure --- how common is it still?
Discussion
I'd agree with the 9 or 10k oil changes. Running a N57 2014 F31, although I believe it uses the same components for the timing chain. It was on 29k when I bought it, now on 50k and I have been doing oil changes at 40k and 50k.
If you're handy, it is cheap (£60 all in) and can be done in 30 minutes or so.
If you're handy, it is cheap (£60 all in) and can be done in 30 minutes or so.
I don’t think it’s a bad idea to do a 10k oil change on any modern BMW. Mine have always gone 10k between oil changes since I then know when we’re nearly at a round number it’s time to do the oil. The N57 does share the same timing components as the N47, too. There’s a few around that have snapped chains. Not to mention turbo life and other components will be extended taking it off of the mega service intervals.
My N47 2012 520d is on 179,000 miles.
Had a new turbo and DPF but from what I can tell has never had the chain done. Just had to have the oil cooler replaced that took 7 hours!
I’ve done 12,000 of those miles,
It was the cheapest m sport 520d for sale in the UK when I bought it.
If it makes it to 200k I’ll be impressed! I’ll report back if it borks.
Oh and if you have stop start on, turn it off that will extend the life, mine has been permanently disabled.
Had a new turbo and DPF but from what I can tell has never had the chain done. Just had to have the oil cooler replaced that took 7 hours!
I’ve done 12,000 of those miles,
It was the cheapest m sport 520d for sale in the UK when I bought it.
If it makes it to 200k I’ll be impressed! I’ll report back if it borks.
Oh and if you have stop start on, turn it off that will extend the life, mine has been permanently disabled.
Bertrum said:
My N47 2012 520d is on 179,000 miles.
Had a new turbo and DPF but from what I can tell has never had the chain done. Just had to have the oil cooler replaced that took 7 hours!
I’ve done 12,000 of those miles,
It was the cheapest m sport 520d for sale in the UK when I bought it.
If it makes it to 200k I’ll be impressed! I’ll report back if it borks.
Oh and if you have stop start on, turn it off that will extend the life, mine has been permanently disabled.
Good to know. I'm doing fairly consistent long-ish (50+ miles per journey) trips with very few short ones - it so usually gets a good warm up cycle and a steady operating period so I'm hoping for a decent spell of longevity.Had a new turbo and DPF but from what I can tell has never had the chain done. Just had to have the oil cooler replaced that took 7 hours!
I’ve done 12,000 of those miles,
It was the cheapest m sport 520d for sale in the UK when I bought it.
If it makes it to 200k I’ll be impressed! I’ll report back if it borks.
Oh and if you have stop start on, turn it off that will extend the life, mine has been permanently disabled.
Good point about Stop / Start. I coded mine out around 40k also.
My current N47 (525d, 2013) has done 140,000 miles. I've done 14,000 of them, including a trip to Berlin, a trip to Spa/Nurburgring and one to Alicante. The Berlin trip was interesting, in so far as as an empty Autobahn on a Sunday morning yielded 150mph. There was also its first of the Nurburgring. The trip to Alicante last summer was superb - no better car to do it in. 60mpg average. Then Spa. The Nurburgring is close by, so we went there/did a lap/spent the night, then did the Belgian GP the next day. Again, it didn't miss a beat. It's on the original chain, and the first thing I did was throw fresh oil in there. Start stop is disabled (using Carly).
My 'old' N47, a 2010 320d ed is still in the family. Currently on 155,000 miles, and again the original chain. It gets regular oil changes (sadly not regular washes) and has never skipped a beat.
My 'old' N47, a 2010 320d ed is still in the family. Currently on 155,000 miles, and again the original chain. It gets regular oil changes (sadly not regular washes) and has never skipped a beat.
It's good to see there are quite a few just happily racking up miles.
Which is reassuring, because so often you only ever hear about the ones that have issues - and they are probably a pretty small percentage given how widely used the N47 engine was.
Mind you that isn't much comfort if yours happens to be one of the ones with issues!
Which is reassuring, because so often you only ever hear about the ones that have issues - and they are probably a pretty small percentage given how widely used the N47 engine was.
Mind you that isn't much comfort if yours happens to be one of the ones with issues!
camel_landy said:
Has anyone done a "How many left" check on the N47 cars, to get some facts & figures??
M
There are heaps of them, when I was looking for the 4 series 420d's were the most popular by miles. Same for 3 series, or anything else that gets used as company or fleet vehicles. M
I'd imagine that it was the most popular engine in anything it wasavailable in, I was initially looking for a 430d but there just weren't many in my price range at all (not auto and Xdrive anyway) so I talked myself into the more sensible option.
Given how many there are I suppose if even 5% have issues then it's a big deal. I'm pretty careful about maintenance anyway and will look at doing interim oil changes as a precaution, oil extractor pumps would make the job simple and the filter is accessible from the top so it should all be done in under an hour or so.
I might get the local indy to code out stop/start when it goes for an oil service in June. I can see that it would take some strain off the system.
Speed addicted said:
camel_landy said:
Has anyone done a "How many left" check on the N47 cars, to get some facts & figures??
There are heaps of them.I guesstimated it last year as about 1% dying every year - written off, exported, scrapped etc. Any BMW indy will tell you how many timing chains & engine rebuilds they do - and it's loads, but as a percentage of the whole fleet out there, it's tiny.
I have a 2012 (62) F30 320d ED currently @ 121k Which has started to produce a slight rattling noise which can be heard inside the car. Noise is absent when the car is cold, after the engine has warmed up you can hear it. Car runs perfectly otherwise, and never spent a penny on it over the 7 years I’ve owned it. As for the start/stop causing issues with the battery - I’m still using the original; it’s effects on the engine can still be debated.
Cars been serviced as per the BMW CBS, never thought it would need to be done any more frequently than that. We have a 2009 Vauxhall insignia that was probably serviced every 15-20k which has 246k miles on the clock and it’s still running.
Considering replacing the chain, and getting the clutch/flywheel done at the same time. I’ve been quoted £1300 for the chain replacement By an independent BMW specialist, the clutch/flywheel will be just be an additional cost for parts.
Cars been serviced as per the BMW CBS, never thought it would need to be done any more frequently than that. We have a 2009 Vauxhall insignia that was probably serviced every 15-20k which has 246k miles on the clock and it’s still running.
Considering replacing the chain, and getting the clutch/flywheel done at the same time. I’ve been quoted £1300 for the chain replacement By an independent BMW specialist, the clutch/flywheel will be just be an additional cost for parts.
PSH1 said:
I have a 2012 (62) F30 320d ED currently @ 121k Which has started to produce a slight rattling noise which can be heard inside the car. Noise is absent when the car is cold, after the engine has warmed up you can hear it. Car runs perfectly otherwise, and never spent a penny on it over the 7 years I’ve owned it. As for the start/stop causing issues with the battery - I’m still using the original; it’s effects on the engine can still be debated.
Cars been serviced as per the BMW CBS, never thought it would need to be done any more frequently than that. We have a 2009 Vauxhall insignia that was probably serviced every 15-20k which has 246k miles on the clock and it’s still running.
Considering replacing the chain, and getting the clutch/flywheel done at the same time. I’ve been quoted £1300 for the chain replacement By an independent BMW specialist, the clutch/flywheel will be just be an additional cost for parts.
IMO - If you've not spent a penny on the car in 7yrs, that £1300 will be money well spent, as that'll roughly equate to £200pa servicing. New chain, clutch & a damn good service and that should be good for a few more years yet.Cars been serviced as per the BMW CBS, never thought it would need to be done any more frequently than that. We have a 2009 Vauxhall insignia that was probably serviced every 15-20k which has 246k miles on the clock and it’s still running.
Considering replacing the chain, and getting the clutch/flywheel done at the same time. I’ve been quoted £1300 for the chain replacement By an independent BMW specialist, the clutch/flywheel will be just be an additional cost for parts.
M
camel_landy said:
IMO - If you've not spent a penny on the car in 7yrs, that £1300 will be money well spent, as that'll roughly equate to £200pa servicing. New chain, clutch & a damn good service and that should be good for a few more years yet.
M
I imagine he has spent money on servicing over the years - just not on repairs. Otherwise... long long long life oil!M
camel_landy said:
PSH1 said:
I have a 2012 (62) F30 320d ED currently @ 121k Which has started to produce a slight rattling noise which can be heard inside the car. Noise is absent when the car is cold, after the engine has warmed up you can hear it. Car runs perfectly otherwise, and never spent a penny on it over the 7 years I’ve owned it. As for the start/stop causing issues with the battery - I’m still using the original; it’s effects on the engine can still be debated.
Cars been serviced as per the BMW CBS, never thought it would need to be done any more frequently than that. We have a 2009 Vauxhall insignia that was probably serviced every 15-20k which has 246k miles on the clock and it’s still running.
Considering replacing the chain, and getting the clutch/flywheel done at the same time. I’ve been quoted £1300 for the chain replacement By an independent BMW specialist, the clutch/flywheel will be just be an additional cost for parts.
IMO - If you've not spent a penny on the car in 7yrs, that £1300 will be money well spent, as that'll roughly equate to £200pa servicing. New chain, clutch & a damn good service and that should be good for a few more years yet.Cars been serviced as per the BMW CBS, never thought it would need to be done any more frequently than that. We have a 2009 Vauxhall insignia that was probably serviced every 15-20k which has 246k miles on the clock and it’s still running.
Considering replacing the chain, and getting the clutch/flywheel done at the same time. I’ve been quoted £1300 for the chain replacement By an independent BMW specialist, the clutch/flywheel will be just be an additional cost for parts.
M
PSH1 said:
I most certainly agree! I did consider trying my luck and seeing if it snaps but it still runs well and 65-70mpg @75mph for my work runs are hard to come by. Awaiting for the arrival of my G20 320d xdrive in March and I shall send this in for repair then. Fingers crossed it doesn’t conk out by then
Which specialist quoted you £1300? That's a great price. I got quoted £1750 last year by Bartlett in Huntingdon. BFleming said:
PSH1 said:
I most certainly agree! I did consider trying my luck and seeing if it snaps but it still runs well and 65-70mpg @75mph for my work runs are hard to come by. Awaiting for the arrival of my G20 320d xdrive in March and I shall send this in for repair then. Fingers crossed it doesn’t conk out by then
Which specialist quoted you £1300? That's a great price. I got quoted £1750 last year by Bartlett in Huntingdon. They have good reviews, I will pop down with the car before hand and speak to them in person. The quote was over the phone, but I rang twice to make sure as it was so cheap
They are the cheapest I’ve found, everywhere else I tried also quoted around the £1700 mark, one even quoted £2500.
PSH1 said:
MBM Autohaus - https://www.mbmautohaus.co.uk/service-repairs/
They have good reviews, I will pop down with the car before hand and speak to them in person. The quote was over the phone, but I rang twice to make sure as it was so cheap
They are the cheapest I’ve found, everywhere else I tried also quoted around the £1700 mark, one even quoted £2500.
Their premises looks a bit backstreet, but there's nothing wrong with that if it allows them to keep their overheads low. Bartlett, by comparison, would put many BMW workshops to shame. But that comes at a price.They have good reviews, I will pop down with the car before hand and speak to them in person. The quote was over the phone, but I rang twice to make sure as it was so cheap
They are the cheapest I’ve found, everywhere else I tried also quoted around the £1700 mark, one even quoted £2500.
BFleming said:
PSH1 said:
MBM Autohaus - https://www.mbmautohaus.co.uk/service-repairs/
They have good reviews, I will pop down with the car before hand and speak to them in person. The quote was over the phone, but I rang twice to make sure as it was so cheap
They are the cheapest I’ve found, everywhere else I tried also quoted around the £1700 mark, one even quoted £2500.
Their premises looks a bit backstreet, but there's nothing wrong with that if it allows them to keep their overheads low. Bartlett, by comparison, would put many BMW workshops to shame. But that comes at a price.They have good reviews, I will pop down with the car before hand and speak to them in person. The quote was over the phone, but I rang twice to make sure as it was so cheap
They are the cheapest I’ve found, everywhere else I tried also quoted around the £1700 mark, one even quoted £2500.
PSH1 said:
I must admit, just done a quick google street view, Bartlett looks amazing, but you won’t find anything like that in Birmingham. Did you get your car repaired from them? I drive to Cambridge quite often, so a quick detour to Bartlett to enquire wouldn’t be too much of an issue.
Yeah, they did the timing chain on my F20. Great service, from booking it to the actual work done. Couldn't fault them, but they're not the cheapest out there. I asked them how much the timing chain would be for my F11 out of curiosity - hence I know the answer!I had a chat with the garage i use about the timing chain issue
It's a small place with two ex BMW techs. They know their stuff, have a good reputation and I trust them having had a fairly problematic 6 series.
Essentially it boiled down to - Just drive it, interim oil changes are a good idea for piece of mind but it's not really worth worrying about.
They pointed out that it's the most common engine BMW sold, and they've looked after loads of high mile cars that are still just working away with no issues.
Now I need another excuse for buying that 640d.
It's a small place with two ex BMW techs. They know their stuff, have a good reputation and I trust them having had a fairly problematic 6 series.
Essentially it boiled down to - Just drive it, interim oil changes are a good idea for piece of mind but it's not really worth worrying about.
They pointed out that it's the most common engine BMW sold, and they've looked after loads of high mile cars that are still just working away with no issues.
Now I need another excuse for buying that 640d.
Speed addicted said:
I had a chat with the garage i use about the timing chain issue
It's a small place with two ex BMW techs. They know their stuff, have a good reputation and I trust them having had a fairly problematic 6 series.
Essentially it boiled down to - Just drive it, interim oil changes are a good idea for piece of mind but it's not really worth worrying about.
They pointed out that it's the most common engine BMW sold, and they've looked after loads of high mile cars that are still just working away with no issues.
Now I need another excuse for buying that 640d.
Until yours goes that is.It's a small place with two ex BMW techs. They know their stuff, have a good reputation and I trust them having had a fairly problematic 6 series.
Essentially it boiled down to - Just drive it, interim oil changes are a good idea for piece of mind but it's not really worth worrying about.
They pointed out that it's the most common engine BMW sold, and they've looked after loads of high mile cars that are still just working away with no issues.
Now I need another excuse for buying that 640d.
smashy said:
Speed addicted said:
I had a chat with the garage i use about the timing chain issue
It's a small place with two ex BMW techs. They know their stuff, have a good reputation and I trust them having had a fairly problematic 6 series.
Essentially it boiled down to - Just drive it, interim oil changes are a good idea for piece of mind but it's not really worth worrying about.
They pointed out that it's the most common engine BMW sold, and they've looked after loads of high mile cars that are still just working away with no issues.
Now I need another excuse for buying that 640d.
Until yours goes that is.It's a small place with two ex BMW techs. They know their stuff, have a good reputation and I trust them having had a fairly problematic 6 series.
Essentially it boiled down to - Just drive it, interim oil changes are a good idea for piece of mind but it's not really worth worrying about.
They pointed out that it's the most common engine BMW sold, and they've looked after loads of high mile cars that are still just working away with no issues.
Now I need another excuse for buying that 640d.
Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff